Abstract: Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and side-effect of pulsed radiofrequency and radiofrequency thermocoagulation for gasserian ganglion guided by spiral CT on trigeminal neuralgia. Methods 100 patients diagnosed as idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia were treated with pulsed radiofrequency or radiofrequency thermocoagulation for gasserian ganglion. They were assessed with numeric rating scales (NRS) before and 1 d，3 d，1 week， 1 month, 6 months and 12 month after treatment. The side effects were recorded. Results There was significant decrease in the scores of NRS after treatment compared with those before (P<0.01) in both groups. No serious side effects were observed. Conclusion Pulsed radiofrequency for gasserian ganglion for trigeminal neuralgia was effective and less side-effect.

Key words: gasserian ganglion, pulsed radiofrequency, radiofrequency thermocoagulation, trigeminal neuralgia