Relation between sensory disturbance and outcome after retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy

• Published in: Acta neurochirurgica Vol. 111; no. 3-4; p. 114
• Main Authors: Bergenheim, A T, Hariz, M I, Laitinen, L V, Olivecrona, M, Rabow, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Austria 01.01.1991
• Subjects: Aged; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Glycerol - administration & dosage; Humans; Male; Mechanoreceptors - drug effects; Mechanoreceptors - physiopathology; Neurologic Examination; Nociceptors - drug effects; Nociceptors - physiopathology; Pain Measurement; Postoperative Complications - chemically induced; Postoperative Complications - physiopathology; Recurrence; Sensation - drug effects; Sensation - physiology; Sensory Thresholds - drug effects; Sensory Thresholds - physiology; Spinal Nerve Roots - drug effects; Spinal Nerve Roots - physiopathology; Trigeminal Ganglion - drug effects; Trigeminal Ganglion - physiopathology
• ISSN: 0001-6268
• DOI: 10.1007/BF01400498

The relation between postoperative sensory deterioration and surgical outcome in 54 patients treated by retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy for trigeminal neuralgia was studied. The facial sensibility was assessed one day and three months postoperatively. Thresholds for perception and pain were determined quantitatively using transcutaneous electrical stimulation and clinically by light touch and pinprick tests. At a follow-up one year after surgery there was no significant difference in pain relief between patients who did show and patients who did not show sensory deterioration at the one day or three months evaluations. Nevertheless, there was a tendency for higher recurrence rate in patients with mild or no sensory disturbance.