Summary
The authors describe percutaneous radiofrequency (rf) thermocoagulation of the sphenopalatine ganglion used to treat seven patients with sphenopalatine ganglion neuralgia.
The procedure was effective in relieving pain, without significant side-effects. All the patients have actually been free of pain during a follow-up of 6–28 months. The surgical technique and the rationale for its use are pointed out.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Ad Hoc Committee on Classification of Headache (1962) A classification of headache. Neurology 12: 378–380
Alajouanine T, Thurel R (1933) Les sympatalgies faciales. J Med Fr, 22: 188–194
Bonica JJ (1959) Il Dolore: Diagnosi, Prognosi, Terapia. Vallardi, Milano, 203
Brown, LA (1962) Mythical sphenopalatine ganglion neuralgia. South Med J 55: 670–672
Devoghel JC (1981) Cluster headache and sphenopalatine block. Acta Anesth Belg 32: 101–107
Ekbom KA (1947) Ergotamine tartrate orally in Horton's “Histamine caphalgia” (also called Harry's “ciliary neuralgia”): new method of treatment. Acta Psychiat Scand [Suppl] 46: 105–113
Gardner WJ, Stowell A, Dutlinger R (1947) Resection of the greater superficial petrosal nerve in the treatment of unilateral headache. J Neurosurg 4: 105–114
Kerr FWL (1963) Mechanisms, diagnosis and management of some cranial and facial pain syndromes. Surg Clin N Amer 43: 951–961
Kudrow L (1978) Comparative results of prednisone, methysergide and lithium therapy in cluster headache. In: Greene R (ed) Current concepts in migraine research. Raven Press, New York
Kunkle EC, Pfeiffer JB, Wilhoit WMet al (1952) Recurrent brief headache in “cluster” pattern. Trans Am Neurol Assoc 77: 240–243
Levy F, Baudoin A (1906) Les injections profondes dans le traitement de la neuralgie faciales rebelles. Press Med 13: 108
Meyer JS, Binns PM, Ericsson ADet al (1970) Sphenopalatine ganglionectomy for cluster headache. Arch Otolaryng 92: (1970), 475–484
Ray BS (1954) The surgical treatment of headache and atypical facial neuralgias. J Neurosurg 11: 596–606
Ryan RE, Facer GW (1977) Sphenopalatine ganglion neuralgia and cluster headache: comparisons, contents, treatment. Headache 17: 7–8
Salar G, Mingrino S, Iob I (1983) Alterations of facial sensitivity induced by percutaneous thermocoagulation for trigeminal neuralgia. Surg Neurol 19: 126–130
Salar G, Ori C, Baratto Vet al (1983) Selective percutaneous thermolesion of ninth cranial nerve by lateral cervical approach: report of eight cases. Surg Neurol 20: 276–279
Schiller F (1960) Prophylactic and other treatment for “histaminic”, “cluster”, or “limited” variant of migraine. Comparative study, therapeutic recommandations and discussion of the nature of the syndrome. JAMA 13: 1907–1911
Sluder G (1908) The role of sphenopalatine (or Meckel's) ganglion in nasal headaches. New York Med J 87: 989
Sluder G (1913) Etiology, diagnosis and prognosis of treatment of sphenopalatine ganglion neuralgia. Trans Am Neurol Assoc 35: 1261–1266
Symonds C (1956) A particular variety of headache. Brain 79: 217–232
Sweet WH, Wepsic JG (1970) Relation of fiber size in trigeminal posterior root condition of impulses for pain and touch: production of analgesia without anesthesia in the effective treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Trans Am Neurol Assoc 95: 134–137
Taylor JC (1963) Trigeminal neuralgia treated with G. 32833. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 26: 553–554
Tew JW jr (1977) Percutaneous rhizotomy in the treatment of intractable facial pain (trigeminal, glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves). In: Schmidek HH, Sweet WH (eds) Current techniques in operative neurosurgery. Grune and Stratton, New York San Francisco London, pp 409–426
White JC, Sweet WH (1955) Pain: its mechanism and neurosurgical control. Ch C Thomas, Springfield Ill, p 496
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Salar, G., Ori, C., Iob, I. et al. Percutaneous thermocoagulation for sphenopalatine ganglion neuralgia. Acta neurochir 84, 24–28 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01456346
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01456346