Occlusion of maxillary artery in treatment of trigeminal neuralgia

Introduction. This paper deals with a treating method of trigeminal neuralgia classified so far as idiopathic neuralgias and treated conservatively. The study was aimed at proving the compression of peripheral branches of n. trigeminus in those patients by vascular elements of a. maxillaris within the bone-ligament space of the scull and the face base. Material and Methods. The study sample consisted of 76 patients having trigeminal neuralgia. The compression was proved by clinical examination, by angiography and electrophysiological investigations. Endovascular occlusion of a. maxillaris is the original method and it was carried out in selected patients. Results. This method was applied in 76 patients. Embolisation was done in 71 patients by using occlusion spiral and gelfoan was used in 3 patients. Externa carotid artery ligation was done in 2 cases. Conclusion. The effect of absolute improvement has been achieved and verified by electrophysiological method and subjective assessment of the patients.