Gamma knife radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia.

Radiosurgery is one of the surgical treatments of trigeminal neuralgia. Through precise irradiation of the proximal trigeminal nerve identified on high-resolution imaging, pain relief can be achieved after a short latency interval. This image-guided approach has been useful for both patients with persistent pain after other surgeries, and as a primary surgical option. A minimum dose of 70 Gy delivered with the gamma knife has been associated with low risk for facial numbness, and no other morbidity. Management of trigeminal neuralgia without an incision, transfacial needle placement or nerve section may prove useful to increasing numbers of patients.