Radiosurgical treatment provides complete pain relief for the majority of patients with idiopathic TN. There is a strong correlation between the development of new facial sensory loss and achievement and maintenance of pain relief after this procedure. Because the long-term results of radiosurgery still remain unknown, MVD should continue to be the primary operation for medically fit patients with TN.
Higher doses of radiation may correlate with better facial pain outcomes after radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia. However, the incidence of significant trigeminal nerve dysfunction is markedly increased after radiosurgery for patients receiving high-dose radiosurgery. Because of the nonselective nature of this ablative technique, dose prescription should be limited to less than 90 Gy.
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