Delineation of the obex by contrast radiography during percutaneous trigeminal tractotomy

Abstract

✓ Accuracy of percutaneous implantation of an electrode into the descending trigeminal tract can be improved substantially by contrast radiography. A translateral x-ray film taken after 1 cc of Pantopaque emulsified with 1 cc of cerebrospinal fluid has been injected by midline puncture of the cisterna magna will outline the floor of the fourth ventricle, the obex, and the dorsum of the medulla oblongata. Injection is made under mild pressure and with the patient prone. This technique has been used successfully on 12 patients.