The role of CyberKnife in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: A retrospective study

Objective

To investigate the efficacy of stereotactic radiotherapy (CyberKnife) in treating primary trigeminal neuralgia and to summarize the treatment experience.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on the efficacy and efficacy of CyberKnife treatment in 33 patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia from August 2012 to April 2023. Targets are selected in the trigeminal nerve root and half-moon segment. The length of treatment is about 6–8 mm, the prescribed dose is 54–65 Gy. Classified according to the (BNI) scale, trigeminal neuralgia and sensory impairment. Follow-up assessed the time and extent of pain relief and the time and extent of numbness. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used to analyze pain scores before and after radiotherapy. The KM curve analysis using the R survival package was used to analyze the survival.

Results

Among them, 12 were males (36.4%) and 21 females (63.6%), with an average age of 67.76 ± 10.62 years. Facial numbness scores after treatment averaged 2.61 ± 0.86. Pain relief started on average 28.26 ± 47.27 days. The pain scores of 33 patients before and after radiotherapy were statistically significant (P < 0.001), and the effect was significant after treatment. The average occurrence time of facial numbness was 248.47 ± 182.88 days, and the proportion of drooling was 39.4%. In this study, pain score before and after treatment, and numbness score after treatment were analyzed by Log-rank test survival.

Conclusion

CyberKnife is the advantage of being non-invasive and effective in reducing pain for primary trigeminal neuralgia.