Trigeminal neuralgia treatment with balloon compression

If you are suffering from inflammation, percutaneous balloon compression of the trigeminal nerve can be an effective and minimally invasive treatment option. During the procedure, your doctor will insert a hollow needle through a cheek puncture and guide it through natural skull openings under the control of imaging. Next, he will pass a thin, flexible catheter with a special balloon at the end through the needle. Once the catheter reaches the trigeminal nerve, the doctor will inflate the balloon with air at a pressure that can damage the nerve and block pain signals. In addition, it will cause the balloon to squeeze the trigeminal nerve, causing the branches to die off and stopping pain impulses from reaching the brain. After the procedure, the balloon and the catheter will be deflated and removed. The intervention usually lasts around 30 minutes. After the procedure, some patients may experience facial numbness or temporary weakness in their chewing muscles. However, most patients tolerate the therapy well and report significantly reducing or eliminating their pain symptoms.