The Korean Journal of Pain

The Korean Pain Society (대한통증학회)
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New insight into the mandibular nerve at the foramen ovale level for percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation

  • Peng-Bo Zhu (Department of Anatomy, Wonkwang University School of Medicine) ;
  • Yeon-Dong Kim (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Wonkwang University Hospital) ;
  • Ha Yeong Jeong (Department of Anatomy, Wonkwang University School of Medicine) ;
  • Miyoung Yang (Department of Anatomy, Wonkwang University School of Medicine) ;
  • Hyung-Sun Won (Department of Anatomy, Wonkwang University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2023.06.21
  • Accepted : 2023.09.06
  • Published : 2023.10.01
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Abstract

Background: Percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) has been widely utilized in the management of trigeminal neuralgia. Despite using image guidance, accurate needle positioning into the target area still remains a critical element for achieving a successful outcome. This study was performed to precisely clarify the anatomical information required to ensure that the electrode tip is placed on the sensory component of the mandibular nerve (MN) at the foramen ovale (FO) level. Methods: The study used 50 hemi-half heads from 26 South Korean adult cadavers. Results: The cross-sectioned anterior and posterior divisions of the MN at the FO level could be distinguished based on an irregular boundary and color difference. The anterior division was clearly brighter than the posterior one. The anterior division of the MN at the FO level was located at the whole anterior (38.0%), anteromedial (6.0%), anterior center (8.0%), and anterolateral (22.0%) parts. The posterior division was often located at the whole posterior or posterolateral parts of the MN at the FO level. The anterior divisions covered the whole MN except for the medial half of the posterolateral part in the overwrapped images of the cross-sectional areas of the MN at the FO level. The cross-sectional areas of the anterior divisions were similar in males and females, whereas those of the posterior divisions were significantly larger in males (P = 0.004). Conclusions: The obtained anatomical information is expected to help physicians reduce unwanted side effects after percutaneous RFTC within the FO for the MN.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors thank the body donors and their families; without their unique donations, it would have been impossible for us to complete this study.

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