The predictive power of balloon shape and change of sensory functions on outcome of percutaneous balloon compression for trigeminal neuralgia

Abstract

Object Percutaneous balloon compression is a simple and effective treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. However, results between and within different series are varying. To further improve the results in terms of pain relief, the authors believe that a careful study of the surgical procedure is important. The object of this study was to analyze the impact of balloon shape, balloon position, balloon volume, and compression time on duration of the therapeutic effect following percutaneous balloon compression. Furthermore, they analyzed the sensory side effects associated with this treatment, and how these relate to surgical parameters. Methods Medical records and intraoperative radiographs from 87 balloon compressions were reviewed, and different surgical parameters were categorized. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to correlate surgical parameters to pain relief. Sensory testing with a transcutaneous electrical stimulation technique and clinical examination data were reviewed to analyze changes in sensory function. Results The balloon shape had a significant impact on time to recurrence of pain. A pear-shaped balloon resulted in a far better surgical result than a non–pear-shaped balloon (p < 0.001). The difference between a distinct and a less distinct pear shape was not significant (p = 0.14). Statistical significance was not reached for any of the other parameters in relation to duration of therapeutic effect. A pear-shaped balloon was also significantly associated with increased thresholds for percutaneous electrical stimulation in the immediate postoperative period, but the perception thresholds were normalized at the late follow-up at 3–9 months. A similar outcome was found for clinical testing with light touch and pinprick. Conclusions The authors have demonstrated that using a pear-shaped balloon when performing percutaneous balloon compression for trigeminal neuralgia results in longer pain relief than non–pear-shaped balloons. Other surgical parameters seemed less important with respect to pain relief. Balloon compression also, in many cases, results in hypesthesia.