Leksell Gamma Knife treatment of tic douloureux

Stereotactic radiosurgery with the Leksell Gamma Knife under local anesthesia can effectively treat patients with recurrent tic douloureux after unsuccessful medical/surgical procedures. Eight of 12 patients have shown complete relief or improvement of their trigeminal neuralgia after 3 to 4 year follow-up. No complications have been observed, with the exception of 1 patient who developed a small area of radionecrosis in the medial temporal lobe.