Comparative Study of Atropine Combined with Sodium Nitroprusside Pretreatment to Prevent Trigemino Cardiac Reflex after Trigeminal Ganglion Compression

Efficacy and Safety of Computed Tomography-Guided Percutaneous Balloon Compression under Local Anesthesia for Recurrent Trigeminal Neuralgia: A Prospective Study

Purpose

There are several ways to treat trigeminal neuralgia (TN); however, TN may recur after treatment. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) under local anesthesia for treatment of recurrent trigeminal neuralgia. Patients and Methods. This is a prospective and nonrandomized controlled clinical study. Forty-eight patients with classical TN were scheduled to undergo PBC surgery at the pain department of our institution between January 2021 and June 2021. The patients were prospectively divided into an initial onset group, A (21 cases), and a recurrence group, B (27 cases). All surgeries were performed with CT guidance and under local anesthesia. Postoperative complications were also observed. Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) scale. Efficacy indices were evaluated at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after surgery.

Results

All participants reported complete pain relief at discharge. After 18 months of follow-up, the total effective rate of pain control was 89.5% (group A, 90.5%; group B, 88.8%). There was no significant difference in the BNI scores between the two groups before and after treatment. All patients had hypoesthesia on the affected side, and no severe complications such as diplopia, blindness, intracranial hemorrhage, or intracranial infection occurred.

Conclusions

CT-guided PBC under local anesthesia is safe and effective for the treatment of recurrent TN and thus acts as an effective alternative for geriatric patients and those with high-risk factors.

Trigeminocardiac Reflex Induced by Maxillary Nerve Stimulation during Sphenopalatine Ganglion Implantation: A Case Series

BACKGROUND

The trigeminocardiac reflex (TCR) is a brainstem reflex following stimulation of the trigeminal nerve, resulting in bradycardia, asystole and hypotension. It has been described in maxillofacial and craniofacial surgeries. This case series highlights TCR events occurring during sphenopalatine ganglion (SPJ) neurostimulator implantation as part of the Pathway CH-2 clinical trial "Sphenopalatine ganglion Stimulation for Treatment of Chronic Cluster Headache".

METHODS

This is a case series discussing sphenopalatine ganglion neurostimulator implantation in the pterygopalatine fossa as treatment for intractable cluster headaches. Eight cases are discussed with three demonstrating TCR events. All cases received remifentanil and desflurane for anesthetic maintenance.

RESULTS

Each patient with a TCR event experienced severe bradycardia. In two cases, TCR resolved with removal of the introducer, while the third case's TCR event resolved with both anticholinergic treatment and surgical stimulation cessation.

CONCLUSION

Each TCR event occurred before stimulation of the fixed introducer device, suggesting the cause for the TCR events was mechanical in origin. Due to heightened concern for further TCR events, all subsequent cases had pre-anesthesia external pacing pads placed. Resolution can occur with cessation of surgical manipulation and/or anticholinergic treatment. Management of TCR events requires communication between surgical teams and anesthesia providers, especially during sphenopalatine ganglion implantation when maxillary nerve stimulation is possible.