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Percutaneous balloon compression for trigeminal neuralgia: a how I do it
Arthur Leclerc1,2, Mohamad Fadi Salkine3, Evelyne Emery4,5,6
1Department of Neurosurgery, CHU Caen, Avenue de La Côte de Nacre, 14000, Caen, France. arthur.leclerc@neurochirurgie.fr.
Background:
Surgical treatments for trigeminal neuralgia may include percutaneous techniques including the balloon compression technique. We present here a simple, effective, and safe adaptation of the historical technique described by Mullan in 1978.
Method:
Our procedure is performed in a bi-plane neuro-radiology room. During general anesthesia, 14-G needle is guided under radioscopy to foramen ovale. The 3-F embolectomy catheter is then inserted and inflated with contrast for a period of 2 min 15 s.
Conclusion:
Our technique, performed entirely under bi-plane fluoroscopy, allows a quicker and more precise surgery and avoids errors in guiding the catheter that can result serious injury.
