Linac-Stereotactic Radiosurgery (LSRS) in the management of trigeminal neuralgia: Preliminary results in 25 patients

8237 Background: Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) with the Gamma Knife (GK) has been used successfully in the treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN). Results have been comparable to open surgery. There have been few reports with the use LSRS in the management of TN. We report our preliminary results with LSRS in the treatment of TN. Methods: Between 2000 and 2004, 25 patients with medically refractory TN were treated with LSRS. Prior neurosurgical intervention had been performed in 19 patients. Ten patients had one procedure, 7 patients two, and 2 patients three interventions. All patients had typical TN. LSRS was given to the cranial nerve V entry root zone into the brainstem. Targeting was defined by CT and MRI Scans, utilizing axial and coronal images. Treatment planning was accomplished thru Radionics Treatment Planning System. The dose was 87 Gy to Dm, in one fraction using the 5 mm collimator and 6 arcs with the 20% Isodose line just touching the brainstem. This dosimetry is similar to Gamma Knife. T...