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Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer
Published on: April 17, 2012
Cyberknife radiosurgery in treating trigeminal neuralgia
Bryan M Lazzara1, Orlando Ortiz, Ritu Bordia
1Department of Radiology, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, New York 11501, USA.
Journal of Neurointerventional Surgery
|January 27, 2012
Summary
Cyberknife radiosurgery offers effective short-term relief for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patients. This treatment provides significant pain reduction with minimal side effects, making it a viable alternative for refractory TN.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Radiation Oncology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a debilitating neuropathic pain condition.
- Medically or surgically refractory TN presents significant treatment challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the short-term effectiveness of Cyberknife stereotactic radiosurgery for treating trigeminal neuralgia.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of this non-invasive treatment modality.
Main Methods:
- 17 patients with refractory unilateral TN underwent Cyberknife radiosurgery.
- A precise 6 mm nerve segment was targeted 2-3 mm from the brainstem's dorsal root entry zone.
- An average maximum dose of 73.06 Gy was delivered via a single collimator.
Main Results:
- 88% of patients (14/16) experienced favorable pain relief.
- Seven patients remained pain-free at the last follow-up (average 5.0 months).
- Only two patients reported mild side effects; no major complications occurred.
Conclusions:
- Cyberknife radiosurgery is a safe and effective treatment option for trigeminal neuralgia.
- This modality offers competitive efficacy with a favorable side effect profile for refractory TN cases.
