고주파 열응고술을 이용한 재발한 삼차 신경통의 치료 경험 -증례 보고-

Radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the gasserian ganglion is a safe procedure that can be controlled well and provides satisfactory pain relief from trigeminal neuralgia with low risk. Here the authors report a case of radiofrequency thermocoagulation performed on a recurred trigeminal neuralgia patient, with particular attention to the V3 area. The patient was treated with microvascular decompression 7 years previous, which lead to untolerable side effects from carbamazepine medication. Following the paresthesia and masseter muscle contracture test at 50 Hz-0.06 volt and 2 Hz-0.5 volt respectively, RF lesionings were performed for 60 sec at $60^{\circ}C$ and 70 sec at $70^{\circ}C$. One week after the procedure, the pain was reduced with a mild hypoesthesia in the V2 area. After 6 months, the pain recurred. Therefore, we performed the same procedure again. After 8-months of follow-up, there has been no pain or complications.