Citation

Ma Y, Hsu G, Zhang F. Med. Hypotheses 2020; 139: e109688.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109688

PMID

32240878

Abstract

Primary trigeminal neuralgia is a common clinical refractory neuralgia characterized by an onset of excruciating pain that can severely affect patients' quality of life. Long-term suffering from this pain may lead to depression, anxiety, and suicide. Current treatments, however, are associated with high recurrent rates and severe complications. We hypothesize that both the applicability and efficacy of magnetic resonance-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) treatment in primary trigeminal neuralgia can be achieved under the following conditions: a specific target focus and incident channel, a temperature measurement system that does not incur damage to surrounding tissues, and an optimal radiation dose. Successful non-invasive treatment of primary trigeminal neuralgia by MR-HIFU systems could represent a breakthrough of this technology applied to the oral and maxillofacial region.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Quality of Life; Pain Measurement; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Trigeminal Neuralgia; High intensity focused ultrasound; Oral and maxillofacial region; Primary trigeminal neuralgia; Ultrasonography, Interventional