Abstract: Objective: To investigate the effects of neuronavigatio in radio-frequency thermo-coagulation for trigeminal neuralgia. Methods: Patients with trigeminal neuralgia had continuous and thin-slice CT scans before surgery. The CT data were transported to the neuronavigation system. Being marked and reconstructed in three dimensions, the oval foramen was punctured under neuronavigation and radio-frequency thermo-coagulation was then performed on the patients. Results: The oval foramen was smoothly and accurately punctured under neuronavigation in all. Pain was eliminated in 9 cases and alleviated in 6 cases. No serious complications occurred. Conclusion: Neuronavigatio-guided radio-frequency thermo-coagulation is successful in puncturing the oval foramen and reducing the incidence of complications for trigeminal neuralgia.

Key words: Neuronavigatio, Trigeminal neuralgia, Radio-frequency thermo-coagulation