Novel theory about radiosurgery's action mechanisms on trigeminal ganglion for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia: Role of the satellite glial cells.

Background: There are many theories about the cause of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). None of them satisfactorily explains how demyelination alone through the ephaptic mechanism can contribute to the development of the TN crisis. The main characteristic of TN pain is its dynamic nature, which is difficult to explain based only on anatomical findings.

Gamma knife radiosurgery on the trigeminal ganglion for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia: Results and review of the literature.

Background: In the present study, we evaluate the results of gamma knife surgery (GKS) for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) using the trigeminal ganglion (TG') and the adjacent fibers of trigeminal nerve as a target.

Methods: From February 2013 to July 2017, we treated 30 cases of TN with GKS. In this group, all patients had an idiopathic typical TN.

Gamma knife radiosurgery to the trigeminal ganglion for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia secondary to vertebrobasilar ectasia.

Background: We report the result obtained using Gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery on the trigeminal ganglion (TG) in a patient with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) secondary to vertebrobasilar ectasia (VBE).

Case Description: Retrospective review of medical records corresponding to one patient with VBE-related trigeminal pain treated with radiosurgery. Because of the impossibility of visualization of the entry zone or the path of trigeminal nerve through the pontine cistern, we proceeded with stereotactic radiosurgery directed to the TG.

Radioprotective effects of the 21-aminosteroid U-74389G for stereotactic radiosurgery.

Objective: Future improvements in the results of stereotactic radiosurgery will be related to better patient selection, dose planning, radiosensitization of the target, and, possibly, protection of the brain surrounding the target. 21-Aminosteroids may provide protection against brain radiation injury by inhibition of lipid peroxidation and a selective action on vascular endothelium. We hypothesized that the 21-aminosteroid U-74389G would reduce radiosurgery-related brain injury without attenuating the target volume response.

Endoscopic transsphenoidal resection of a large chordoma in the posterior fossa.

Encouraged by an experience with endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, an endoscopic transsphenoidal technique was applied in a patient with a large chordoma in the posterior fossa. The patient was a 40-year-old man with a two-year history of progressive ataxia, a memory disorder and emotional instability. A magnetic resonance (MR) scan of the brain revealed a midline posterior fossa mass measuring 4 cm in diameter located between the clivus and the brainstem.