Treating Trigeminal Neuralgia in MS

Percutaneous balloon compression is an effective treatment for trigeminal neuralgia in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), but compared to non-MS patients, symptom recurrence is higher and requires multiple procedures, according to a retrospective study of 80 consecutive patients who underwent a total of 144 procedures.

Investigators analyzed the results of 17 MS and 63 non-MS patients and found:     

• The first operation was performed in younger patients with MS, than non-MS patients, at an average of 59 years verses 72 years.

• Symptom recurrence rates were higher in patients with MS than those without (86% versus 47%).

• More MS patients than non-MS patients required multiple procedures (70% versus 44%).

Citation: Martin S, Teo M, Suttner N. The effectiveness of percutaneous balloon compression in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in patients with multiple sclerosis. J Neurosurg. 2015:1-5. [Epub ahead of print]