Percutaneous trigeminal ganglion compression for trigeminal neuralgia. Experience in 22 patients and review of the literature.

Between 1983 and 1988, a percutaneous trigeminal ganglion compression (PTGC) procedure for trigeminal neuralgia was performed on 22 patients. All patients were initially relieved of their pain. There were three recurrences (14%); two of these patients underwent a second PTGC procedure and one a partial trigeminal nerve root section. Follow-up examination 3 to 53 months after the procedure showed that all patients were free of pain. Morbidity included persistent minor hypesthesia in five patients, persistent minor dysesthesias in three, persistent minor weakness in three, aseptic meningitis in one, transient sixth nerve palsy in one, and transient otalgia in three. None of the patients had either anesthesia dolorosa or an absent corneal reflex.