Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia

The trigeminal nerve, one of the most extensively distributed nerves in the brain, is impacted by Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), also referred to as tic douloureux, a chronic pain disorder. Trigeminal neuralgia, which is characterised by sudden, intense facial pain that resembles an electric shock, can be emotionally and physically incapacitating. Excruciating pain can be triggered by even minor facial stimulation, like cleaning your teeth or applying cosmetics.

This disorder usually affects one side of the face, usually the jaw and lower face, though it can also occasionally affect the area above the eye and around the nose.

Trigeminal Neuralgia Causes

Compression of the trigeminal nerve, frequently by a blood vessel like the superior cerebellar artery, is the main cause of trigeminal neuralgia. Pain signals are failed as a result of this pressure because it destroys the myelin sheath that protects the nerve.

Other less frequent reasons are as follows:

Multiple sclerosis, which also causes myelin damage
Trigeminal nerve tumors pushing on it
Anomalies or lesions in the brain
Trauma or stroke that damages the nerve

Trigeminal Neuralgia Symptoms

Symptoms could consist of:

Facial pain that is sudden, intense, stabbing, or shock-like
Periods of pain that range in duration from a few seconds to many minutes
Regular actions such as speaking, chewing, or touching the face might cause this.
Usually, one side of the face has pain.
If treatment is not received, episodes gradually increase in frequency and Intensity.

Accurate diagnosis is essential since trigeminal neuralgia is frequently misdiagnosed as migraines, dental issues, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) abnormalities.

Diagnosis

Trigeminal neuralgia is typically diagnosed based on:

Medical background and symptom description
Examining the nervous system to identify any involvement
MRI scans to check for vascular compression and rule out tumours or multiple sclerosis

Options for Treatment

Medications

Anticonvulsant medications like these are typically used as the first line of treatment.

Tegretol, or carbamazepine
Oxcarbazepine
Pregabalin or Gabapentin

These drugs decrease or cease the nerve’s capacity to transmit pain signals, but they may have negative side effects and lose their effectiveness over time.

Surgical Procedures

Several surgical methods may be taken into consideration when drugs don’t work or side effects become unbearable:

MDV, or microvascular decompression

Include shifting or excising blood vessels that are putting pressure on the nerve. This is regarded as a very successful long-term fix.

Rhizotomy

A technique that reduces pain that harms nerve fibres. Among the methods are glycerol injection, balloon compression, and radiofrequency thermal lesioning.

Radiosurgery with Gamma Knife for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery: What is it?

A cutting-edge, non-invasive method of radiation treatment called Gamma Knife Radiosurgery targets the trigeminal nerve root with intensely concentrated radiation beams. This technique is usually done as an outpatient and doesn’t require any incisions.

How Does It Operate?

The exact location of high-dose radiation is the trigeminal nerve’s exit from the brainstem.
The transmission of pain signals is disrupted by the radiation’s destruction to the nerve fibres.
Usually, pain subsides gradually over a period of weeks to months.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery Advantages

Non-invasive: No anaesthesia or incisions are necessary.
Safe: Very little chance of infection or other problems
Effective: 70–90% of individuals experience long-term pain relief
Fast recovery: Within a day, the majority of patients resume their regular activities.

Who’s the candidate or the patient?

Responded to or are unable to take medicine
They are too old or have health issues to be good candidates for standard surgery.
Trigeminal neuralgia that returns after prior operations

Coping with Trigeminal Pain

Although trigeminal neuralgia can be very difficult to live with, there are effective therapies for it. Quality of life can be considerably enhanced by early diagnosis and the proper medical, surgical, or radiosurgical treatments. A possible non-invasive substitute for open surgery that provides long-term pain relief is Gamma Knife Radiosurgery.

In conclusion

Although trigeminal neuralgia is a complicated disorder, it is curable. Seeking advice from a neurosurgeon experienced in treating facial pain issues is crucial if you or a loved one is suffering from severe, unexpected facial pain.