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Breakthrough in relieving FACIAL PAIN by "Percutaneous Trigeminal Ganglion Balloon Compression"
Mr. D.V. D'Monte, former MLC of Tamil Nadu, an 81 year old person, was suffering from Facial Pain (Trigeminal Neuralgia). He had taken a number of treatments from various hospitals and doctors, but his facial pain continued. After repeated enquiries, he landed in K.G. Hospital, Coimbatore, for undergoing the unique procedure practised by Dr. M. Natarajan, Chief Neuro Surgeon, who has performed this technique successfully for over 100 patients so far.
Mr. Monte was admitted on 17th March and the necessary procedure was performed on 18th March. The patient’s facial pain has totally subsided and will be discharged on 21st March.
Facial Pain refers to pain or discomfort in the front of the head. The face includes the eyes, nose, mouth, forehead, cheeks and chin. Pain in the face can occur due to many reasons. It can be mild or severe and involve any area of the face. Most causes of facial pain are not life threatening. However, a few are serious. Facial pain is the most troublesome and disabling one, as it does not allow the victim to eat, talk, drink or think normally.
Causes of facial pain : There are many possible causes of facial pain. Common causes include: trauma or injury to the face, viz. being hit, irritation of the skin of the face, insect bite, sunburn skin infections and acute sinusitis, to name only a few.
Despite several secondary conditions like dental neuralgia, sinus neuralgia and postherpetic neuralgia, Trigeminal Neuralgia is the most disabling factor.
Trigeminal Neuralgia has been described as the most troublesome pain known to man.
TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA : Trigeminal Neuralgia is a disorder of the cranial nerve that causes episodes of intense stabbing, electric shock-like pain in the areas of the face where branches of the nerve are distributed – lips, eyes, nose, scalp, forehead, upper jaw and lower jaw. One of the most intense and excruciating pain disorders a person can experience is that resulting from Trigeminal Neuralgia. Its sudden lightning like jabs can quickly change a person in otherwise good health to someone who has difficulty in moving his mouth to talk or eat without experiencing intense pain.
BREAKTHROUGH ACHIEVED IN THE TREATMENT – PERCUTANEOUS TRIGEMINAL GANGLION BALLOON COMPRESSION : This is a newer technique with lesser complications. It avoids major brain surgery. Balloon compression alters nerve impulse transmission. It can be done under general anesthesia and is ideal for all age groups. Elderly and patients with pain around the eyes are the best ones for whom this application is ideal.
PROCEDURE : A needle is passed into the foramen ovale at the base of the skull under 'C' arm image intensifier control. Balloon catheter is introduced and preganglionic fibers are compressed.
ADVANTAGES OF PTBC :
- PBTC will give immediate pain relief
- Avoids major brain surgery
- Pain relief is good
- Intensity of Dysaesthesia is very much less, which lasts only for a few days
- Elderly patients withstand this procedure with ease
- Less risk
- Local or brief general anesthesia will suffice
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