Impact of radiosurgery on the surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

BACKGROUND: The history of the development of current available techniques to treat TN was reviewed.

METHODS: The largest peer-reviewed publications on the surgical treatment of refractory TN were analyzed, considering the pros and cons of each technique. Results of modern peer-reviewed radiosurgery series were presented, taking into consideration the approach of each research article. Radiation doses and targets for radiosurgery were discussed to maximize the understanding of this technique.

RESULTS: It is concluded that radiosurgery is the least invasive modality with the fewest side effects, although, to match the results of the competing techniques, a substantial number of patients still need some medication intake.

CONCLUSION: Further studies determining the ideal target and radiation dose may bring radiosurgery results to the level of the ones achieved with microvascular decompression, currently considered the gold-standard method.