RADIOFREQUENCY LESIONING
Surgical Treatments for Facial Neuralgias

Disclaimer.

Introduction

Radio-frequency lesioning (RFL) and radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) essentially refer to the same type of operation. A needle is pushed through the skin near the ear into the cavity near the root of the trigeminal nerve. A lesion is then made on the nerve fiber with a small tip that either vibrates very fast or is very cold or very hot.

Since the lesion can be made very accurately, numbing is less likely than with an alcohol injection. With older techniques, disfigurement was sometimes a problem; however, this problem has been largely eliminated with newer techniques.

RFL is described on the:

 
MGH RFL page.

Positive experiences

"I've had percutaneous stereotactic radiofrequency lesion procedure. At that time it was my choice and I seem to tolerate the numbness okay." Source: Anonymous.

Negative experiences

"... [victim] tried radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT), which resulted in a great deal of misery.... was told that a small area on the right side of his face would have no feeling to it after the RFT. Something went wrong; the affected area extends face to the ear. The paroxysmal TN pain is gone, but [victim] now suffers a constant, burning pain in his face, especially in the eye area."
- Anonymous.