Technical communication: percutaneous radiofrequency mandibular nerve rhizotomy guided by high-speed real-time...

We present a new method of percutaneous radiofrequency mandibular nerve rhizotomy for pain relief in the mandibular region, in which needle placement is guided by high-speed real-time computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy. Eleven patients (13 procedures) with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia underwent the procedure. CT fluoroscopy simultaneously provided 3 slices (1-mm interval series, craniocaudally) in 1 fluoroscopic view, allowing for accurate needle placement. Trigeminal neuralgia improved in all patients without severe complications. The mean numerical rating scales of pain intensity (+ or - sd) decreased from 6.5 (+ or - 1.8, pretreatment) to 1.8 (+ or - 1.7, 1 month after treatment) and to 0.9 (+ or - 1.0, 3 months after treatment). Our limited-case series suggests potential advantages for the new CT fluoroscopy guidance, but these findings await confirmation from randomized controlled trials and large-case series.