Gamma Knife Surgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia:  Outcome, Imaging, and Brainstem Correlates

Cheuk, Chin, Petit, Herman, Fang, and Regine:  Int. J. Radiation Oncology Biol. Physl. Vol. 60, No. 2, pp. 537-541, 2004

Conclusion:  Gamma knife surgery is effective in the treatment of TN and has a favorable side effect profile.  Treatment response and the development of facial numbness do not correlate with MRI imaging quality, presence of nerve compression, or radiation dose to the brainstem.

Comment:  The article is a review of 112 patients treated at the University of Maryland Gamma Knife Center between June 1996 and July 2001.   They were refractory to medical or surgical management.  52.1% of the patients had an "excellent" response. 

Reviewed by Wm. Pat Marshall, M.D.

TN Patient and member of the TNA Board of Directors

Updated 3-18-05