To evaluate the procedural outcomes of radiofrequency rhizotomy using preplanned trajectories and intraoperative computed tomography with neuronavigation for treating trigeminal neuralgia, highlighting the significance of these techniques in improving patient outcomes.
Key Findings:
47.8% of patients required adjustments from the landmark-based entry points to achieve successful foramen ovale cannulation, indicating the variability in anatomical structures.
Mean lateral displacement was 3.75 ± 5.40 mm and mean inferior displacement was 14.65 ± 6.91 mm, suggesting the need for personalized approaches in procedural planning.
Foramen ovale cannulation was successfully achieved in all patients without complications, underscoring the effectiveness of the technique.
Interpretation:
Intraoperative CT and navigation-guided radiofrequency rhizotomy are safe and effective techniques, improving procedural accuracy and reducing patient discomfort compared to traditional methods.
Limitations:
Retrospective design may introduce selection bias, potentially affecting the reliability of the findings.
Single-center study limits generalizability of findings, suggesting the need for multi-center trials to validate results.
Conclusion:
The study demonstrates that intraoperative CT and neuronavigation significantly enhance the success rate of radiofrequency rhizotomy for trigeminal neuralgia by accommodating individual anatomical variations, with potential implications for broader clinical application.
