Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Study of Predictors of Success, Efficacy, Safety, and Outcome at LSUHSC
Shaya, Jawahar, Caldito, Sin, Willis, Nanda; Surg. Neurolo 2004; 61:529-535
Conclusion: Gamma Knife surgery is an effective and safe treatment for TN. In our study we found that vascular compression of the nerve at the root entry zone was not a predictor of the outcome of gamma surgery for TN. The outcomes improves with marginal prescription dose of 80 Gy or higher.
Comment: This article from Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, LA, describes results of using Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia. Forty (40) patients who had previously failed medical therapy were included in the study.
The number of patients in this study is relatively small.
The benefit of MRI demonstration of vascular compression remains under investigation since there are conflicting studies.
The first 4 patients were treated with 70 Gy and when each failed, they raised the does to 80 Gy.
The incidence of facial numbness is lower than has been reported elsewhere.
The Pain Scale utilized in this study is not standardized. "Good" may not be the most appropriate description of that patient group.
More defined and selective criteria for being included in the study might have given more useful results.
Reviewed by Wm. Pat Marshall, M.D.
TN Patient and member of the TNA Board of Directors
Updated 3-16-05