Introduction:

Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by paroxysmal attacks of intense pain, lancinating as electric shocks, accompanied by burning sensation and periodic appearance in the distribution of one or more trigeminal branches. The anatomical relationship between the Gasser ganglion and the cavernous sinus could produce an increase in the intraocular tension after the application of the radiofrequency of the trigeminal ganglion when modifying the venous drainage of the eye, a situation that until now has not been studied. The objective was to determine if the application of conventional radiofrequency in the Gasser ganglion produces changes in the intraocular tension in patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia of second and / or third branch.

Material and methods:

Longitudinal study that included patients diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia of second and / or third branch; In the operating room and under general anesthesia, radiofrequency procedure was performed in Gasser ganglion, with generator Neurotherm R 500, needles of 100 mm in length and 22 G, with active tip of 5 mm, sensory stimulation at 50 Hertz with 0.3 - 0.5 V applying 80º C for 60 seconds in 2 or 3 phases. Intraocular pressure was measured 24 hours before the procedure, 24 hours after the procedure and seven days after the procedure. The analysis of the intraocular pressure, as well as the EVA scale of pain was determined by an ANOVA analysis of repeated measures.

Results:

Thirty patients were included of which 26 were women, the average age was 59.6 ± (SD 11.16). Intraocular tension 24 h before, one day after and one week after performing radiofrequency of the Gasser ganglion, did not show significant changes with ANOVA for repeated samples (p 0.916).

Conclusions:

Intraocular tension was not modified in the short term after radiofrequency of the Gasser ganglion.

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