• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2023

This review aimed to update our knowledge of the classification, pathophysiology, prognosis, and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN), with the intention of establishing better treatment protocols. The latest version of the International Classification of Headache Disorders uses an etiology-based approach to characterize TN patients, potentially contributing to the development of targeted treatment measures. Noticeable changes in the recent European Academy of Neurology guidelines for the management of TN include the use of magnetic resonance imaging for exclusion of secondary TN and differentiation of idiopathic and classical TN. Additionally, the use of botulinum toxin type A as an addon therapy for mid-term treatment of TN has also been included. Though there has been limited recent progress in the treatment of TN, previous studies emphasize the importance of customized, multidisciplinary management protocols that include drug therapy optimization; provision of continuous education and support; and timely referral of medically refractory patients for surgery in order to achieve favorable prognosis. Furthermore, slow but growing evidence on gene mutations will help elucidate the pathophysiology of TN and contribute to the development of targeted drugs that are effective and safe.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.446-452
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• 2011

Objective : We retrospectively investigated the long-term results of percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) using fluoroscopic image-guidance for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Methods : A total of 38 patients diagnosed and treated with RFT as an idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia were investigated. To minimize the risks related to conventional technique based on cutaneous landmarks, and to eliminate the need to frequent reposition of cannula, we adopted a technique of image-guided fluoroscopic cannulation of the foramen ovale. To minimize sensory complication following thermal lesion, our target response was a generation of a lesion with mild to moderate hypalgesia rather than dense hypalgesia. Results : The immediate pain-relief was achieved in all patients underwent RFT. With mean duration of follow-up of 38.2 months (range,12-72), 11 (28.9%) experienced recurrence of pain. The mean timing of recurrence was 26.1 months (range,12-46). A 42.7% recurrence rate was estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis for the 38 patients at 46 months; 20.2% within 2 years, 29.1% within 3 years. In the long-term, 27 patients (71%) and 6 patients (15.8%) showed Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) score I and BNI score II responses. Three (7.9%) patients was assessed as BNI score III, 2 patients (5.3%) showed BNI score IV response. As a complication, troublesome dysesthesia occurred in 3 of 38 patients (7.9%), however, there was no permanent cranial nerve palsy or morbidity. Conclusion : These results indicates that RFT under fluoroscopic image-guided cannulation of foramen ovale is a safe, effective, and reliable means of treating trigeminal neuralgia.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1228-1232
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• 2000

Objective : This study was undertaken to analysis gamma knife radiosurgery(GKR) effect for trigeminal neuralgia after long term follow-up. Methods : There were 11 trigeminal neuralgia patients. The authors irradiated 67-85 Gy maximally to the nerve root entry zone(NREZ) using single 4mm collimator, just 1-6mm lateral side from the junction of the trigeminal nerve and pons. For the first 3 cases, we targeted the junction between the nerve and the pons. In theses cases, the pons was irradiated 56 or 60 gray in the surface. In the later 8 cases, the isocenter is positioned more distal side so that the brain stem surface would receive less than the 20% isodose. Results : The average follow-up duration was 25 months(13-50 months). Pain relief was noticed within a week to 5 months. In 3 patients, pain was relieved completely and in other 3 patients, mark improvement was achieved(80-90%). Remaining 4 patients showed significant improvement(30-50%). There was recurrence in only one case and she complained with similar intensity of pain at the last follow-up. There was no significant complication related to GKR. Conclusion : GKR is considered effective for trigeminal neuralgia based on the long term follow-up evaluation, but more clinical experience is needed to evaluate the efficacy of GKR for trigeminal neuralgia as a primary treatment modality.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.179-184
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• 1993

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.327-333
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• 2011

Clinically, treatment goal of neuropathic pain focused on not elimination of etiology but management and control of symptoms because we don't know certain about clear etiology of neuropathic pain yet. The drugs used for the management of neuropathic pain were classified as drugs with strong evidence for benefit(antidepressants, anticonvulsants, opioid analgesics etc.), modest evidence for benefit(mexiletine, carbamazepine, clonidine etc.), preliminary evidence for benefit(NSAIDs, dextromethorphan, topiramate etc.). Finally, the treatment for trigeminal neuralgia was outlined separately since this disorder responds to a different group of drugs than other neuropathic pain conditions.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.148-153
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• 2006

Objective : The authors conducted this study to present the long-term treatment outcomes [minimum 2 years] of Gamma knife radiosurgery[GKS] for trigeminal neuralgia[TN] and to demonstrate the correlation of treatment outcomes and the anatomical characteristics of TN. Methods : From 1997 to 2003, 44 consecutive patients suffering from medically intractable pain underwent GKS for TN. A single 4mm collimator was used with a median maximum dose of 80Gy [range $75{\sim}80Gy$] prescribed to the root entry zone of the trigeminal nerve. Median follow up duration was 30 months [range $24{\sim}78\;months$]. Anatomical measurements of trigeminal nerve in magnetic resonance images during GKS planning were correlated with clinical outcome. Results : Twenty-two patients [50%] achieved an excellent outcome [BNI grade I & II], 20 patients [45.5%] a good outcome [grade IIIa & IIIb], and only 2 patients [4.5%] a poor outcome [grade IV & V]. Eleven patients [25.0%] experienced pain recurrence after initial pain relief. Smaller volume of trigeminal nerve area irradiated more than 40Gy was significantly correlated with excellent outcome in both univariate and multivariate analyses respectively [P=0.033 and 0.040]. Conclusion : Anatomical considerations during the planning of GKS would be helpful for predicting clinical outcome in TN.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.42-47
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• 2012

Objective : The aim of this prospective study was to demonstrate the influence of some factors on the prognosis of microvascular decompression in 37 patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Methods : The results of microvascular decompression (MVD) in 37 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were evaluated at 6 months after surgery and were compared with clinical and operative findings. Results : The sex of the patient, the patient's age at surgery, the side of the pain, and the duration of symptoms before surgery did not play any significant roles in prognosis. Also, the visual analogue scale (VAS) of the patient, the duration of each pain attack, and the frequency of pain over 24 hours did not play any significant roles in prognosis. In addition, intraoperative detection of the type of conflicting vessel, the degree of severity of conflict, and the location of the conflict around the circumference of the root did not play any roles in prognosis. The only factors affecting the prognosis in MVD surgery were intraoperative detection of the site of the conflict along the root and neuroradiological compression signs on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). Conclusion : These findings demonstrated that if neurovascular compression is seen on preoperative MRI/MRA and/or compression is found intraoperative at the root entry zone, then the patient will most likely benefit from MVD surgery.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.181-185
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• 2007

Background: The first pain clinic opened in korea in 1973 at Yonsei University Hospital, however, since then the number of pain clinics has gradually increased, as has the number of patients visiting them. This increase in patient has caused concerns about the way in which pain is managed, therefore, we conducted a retrospective review of data according to the sex, age and disease in an attept to aid us in planning for the future of our pain clinic. Methods: We analyzed 1,282 new patients who had visited our pain clinic and 828 inpatients who were admitted to our pain clinic between March 2006 and February 2007. Results: The most frequent age group was in the sixties in outpatient and in the seventies in inpatient. In addition, the incidence of disease in new patients and inpatients was as follows: in new patients, lumbar herniated intervertebral disc 16.5%, hyperhidrosis 12.3%, cervical disc disorder 10.5%, acute herpes zoster 8.2%, postherpetic neuralgia 7.9%, and trigeminal neuralgia 7.0%; in admitted patients, acute herpes zoster 17.6%, trigeminal neuralgia 15.6%, lumbar herniated intervertebral disc 13.0%, postherpetic neuralgia 11.2%, hyperhidrosis 9.8%, and complex regional pain syndrome 7.0%. Conclusions: The patients visiting our pain clinic have presented with a wide variety of diseases. This improved care reflects an effort to expand our fields not only to the management of outpatients but also inpatients, as well as to the treatment of new fields of disease. In the future, We need to manage various pain patients not only in outpatients but also in inpatients to expand our field even through pain clinic is rapidly growing in Korea.

• Journal of Rhinology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.114-117
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• 2018

Postoperative maxillary cyst (POMC) is relatively common complication among patients who underwent Caldwell-Luc surgery. Patients with POMC usually have no symptoms, although cyst extension can result in bone destruction or cystic infection with pain. The trigeminal nerve consists of the ophthalmic nerve, maxillary nerve, and mandibular nerve. Among these branches, the maxillary nerve runs to the lateral and frontal sides of the maxillary sinus wall. POMC can rarely lead to trigeminal neuropathy caused by cyst enlargement that compresses some branches of the trigeminal nerve. Recently, we experienced a case with trigeminal neuralgia due to POMC. The patient was successfully treated with inferior meatal antrostomy. We report this rare case with a literature review.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.225-228
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this report is to show the clinical efficiency of korean medical treatments with Bee Venom pharmacopuncture therapy on patient of Trigeminal Neuralgia. Methods : The patient was treated with Bee Venom pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, cupping venesection treatment, and herbal medicine. Visual Analog Scale was used to evaluate the improvement of pain after all treatments. Results : Visual Analog Scale was improved from 10 to 2 after korean medical treatment including Bee Venom pharmacopuncture. Conclusions : Korean medical treatments with Bee Venom pharmacopuncture can be effective for improving symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia.