Evaluation of the effect of gamma knifestation therapy in cases of trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a neuropathic disease characterized by severe and sudden facial pain originating from the trigeminal nerve. TN is a disease that negatively affects the quality of life and is difficult to treat, and treatment options include pharmacotherapy, surgical interventions and radiosurgery. Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKR) has been widely used in the treatment of TN in recent years as an alternative to surgical treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment by examining the pre- and post-treatment clinical data of patients who applied to the Pamukkale University Neurosurgery Department and received GKR treatment due to TN. In this retrospective study, 73 patients who applied to the Pamukkale University Neurosurgery Department outpatient clinic between 2019 and 2024 and received GKR due to TN were examined. The most affected branch of the trigeminal nerve was determined with the neurological examinations of the patients before the treatment, the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) Pain Scoring and VAS (Visual Analog Scale) pain scores. Patients were followed up for at least 6 months and at most 5 years after treatment and the treatment results were re-evaluated. According to the study findings, a significant decrease in the pain levels of the patients was observed after GKR. Improvements were recorded in the BNI score and VAS scores after treatment, and differences were detected according to the trigeminal nerve branches in terms of response to treatment and pain intensity. Temporary effects such as hypoesthesia and anesthesia were reported among the side effects. It was also determined that GKR offers an effective treatment option with a lower risk of complications compared to surgical interventions. As a result, GKR stands out as an effective alternative in the treatment of TN. This study shows that GKR treatment provides successful results in pain management in TN patients and makes important contributions to clinical practice. GKR can be considered as a safe and effective treatment method for patients who avoid surgical risks or for whom surgery is not appropriate.