Glycerol Block of the Trigeminal Ganglion in Trigeminal Neuralgia Using a New Neuronavigation-based Surgical Technique

Glycerol Block of the Trigeminal Ganglion in Trigeminal Neuralgia Using a New Neuronavigation-based Surgical Technique

Trigeminal neuralgia is one of the strongest pains known to humans. Some patients do not have enough effect with the available pharmaceutical treatments and are offered a type of surgery, which involves the injection of glycerol in a nerve structure called trigeminal ganglion. The researchers will do a pilot study on 10 patients with a new surgical technique using neuronavigation. The researchers believe that this new neuronavigation-based system can improve the precision of the technique and reduce the risk for complications.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Informed and written consent
• Trigeminal neuralgia defined in International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD)-3 criteria
• Unsatisfactory effect of pharmacological treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Microvascular decompression is seen as a better alternative
• Heart or lung disease
• Any kind of systematic or local disease or illness that may significantly increase the risk of complications for the procedure related to injection
• Psychiatric illness that hinders participation in the study
• Known pregnancy or breast feeding
• Inadequate use of contraceptives
• Overuse or abuse of opioids
• Abuse of medications, narcotics or alcohol
• Anomalies which hinder or impede the used method of injection
• Allergy or any other hypersensitivity reactions against marcain, lidocaine, xylocain or adrenalin