Percutaneous electrocoagulation of the trigeminal nerve using CT guidance. Technical note.

Overview

Computerized tomography guidance can be used during placement of an electrode for the ablation of the trigeminal nerve or gasserian ganglion. A combination of a scout view and axial images through the skull base provides adequate visualization of the needle and foramen ovale. This method is recommended in patients who cannot be properly positioned for fluoroscopy or when there is poor visualization of the foramen on conventional radiographs.