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Biomedical subjects

S Håkanson

Publications and source records attributed to S Håkanson.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

Paroxysmal facial pain in disseminated sclerosis treated by retrogasserian glycerol injection.

In the material of patients with trigeminal neuralgia treated by retrogasserian glycerol injection at the Karolinska Hospital, 23 cases (8%) were also diagnosed as suffering from disseminated sclerosis. These patients were often on carbamazepine treatment before the procedure, a regimen known to cause severe side effects and increase pre-existing symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis. Following glycerol injection, more than 90% became pain-free within the first 2 months and 82% could discontinue drug therapy. This initial outcome corresponds well to the results in our larger series, but the long-term results in the group with multiple sclerosis is less satisfactory, with 61% recurrence at follow-up 8-79 months following treatment. In total 48% were pain-free at follow-up, following reinjections in 8 cases. In spite of less satisfactory long-term results, more than three-fourths of the patients wanted another glycerol injection after only low-dose trial with carbamazepine in case of recurrence.

Adult↗

Suppression of pain in trigeminal neuropathy by electric stimulation of the gasserian ganglion.

Lesions of the peripheral part of the trigeminal nerve may cause trigeminal neuropathy associated with severe pain. Such pain usually does not respond to carbamazepine and analgesics, and it is continuous and lacks the characteristic paroxysmal character of tic douloureux. These patients often present with complex changes of facial sensibility in the form of dysesthesia, hyperalgesia, and allodynia. The pain sometimes responds favorably to transcutaneous nerve stimulation, but direct stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion and rootlets via an implanted electrode provides a greater likelihood of pain relief. Fourteen patients diagnosed as having painful trigeminal neuropathy received implants of a gasserian ganglion-stimulating electrode. The mean follow-up period is 4 years (range, 1 to 7 years). Eleven of the patients have retained the pain-relieving effect, and 1 had pain disappear without further stimulation. Eight of the patients estimated their pain relief to be complete or very good. There were no serious complications, but in several of the patients the electrode had to be exchanged because the insulation of the lead wires broke. For the selection of patients for permanent electrode implantation, a method has been developed for trial stimulation via a percutaneous electrode introduced into the trigeminal cistern. Temporary trial stimulation can be performed for several days. It is concluded that stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion and rootlets with the aid of an implanted electrode may effectively relieve certain forms of trigeminal pain that are otherwise extremely difficult to manage.

Adult↗

Trigeminal neuralgia treated by the injection of glycerol into the trigeminal cistern.

Seventy-five patients with trigeminal neuralgia were treated by the injection of 0.2 to 0.4 ml of glycerol by the anterior percutaneous route into the trigeminal cistern, which was visualized by the aid of contrast medium (metrizamide). Eighty-six per cent of the patients were completely free from pain after the treatment, which produced only minimal disturbance of facial sensitivity. No complications have been observed. It is suggested that glycerol acts mainly on partly demyelinated nerve fibers, which are assumed to be involved in the trigger mechanism.

Aged↗

Transoval trigeminal cisternography.

A new water-soluble contrast medium, metrizamide (Amipaque) was used to visualize the subarachnoid space within Meckel's cave. By a needle introduced through the foramen ovale, successful filling of the trigeminal cistern was accomplished in 48(80%) of 60 patients. Transoval trigeminal cisternography offers a possibility to control the position of the tip of the needle in various blocking procedures of the trigeminal ganglion, and may also be used for target localization in stereotactic radiosurgery in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Humans↗