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Trigeminal Evoked Responses to Improve Rhizotomy
Sponsor: University of Minnesota
Summary
Trigeminal neuralgia (TGN) is a debilitating pain syndrome where electrical, shock- like jolts of pain affect the face. Trigeminal somatosensory evoked potentials (TSEPs) provide a promising modality for measuring the trigeminal sensory and nociceptive pathway by using peripheral stimulation of the trigeminal nerve (on the skin) and measuring low latency evoked potentials on the scalp (contralateral sensory cortex). While TSEPs have been measured in the past, it is not clear if implementing TSEPs into a routine neurosurgical rhizotomy procedure will be feasible. This is a prospective cohort study examining the feasibility of routinely performing TSEPs during rhizotomies for TGN.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
30
Start Date
2023-11-01
Completion Date
2026-11-01
Last Updated
2025-11-26
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
TSEP + rhizotomy surgery
TGN patients recruited for this study will already be undergoing percutaneous rhizotomy surgery. TSEPs will be measured at baseline prior to surgery. During the rhizotomy procedure, an electrode or balloon is placed through a metal sheath to then damage the nerve. A stylet is introduced to clear tissue from the sheath in preparation for the electrode or balloon. Prior to the final insertion of the RF electrode where the gasserian ganglion will be damaged, we will place a standard stereotactic EEG electrode (SEEG). Following damaging the nerve (clinical procedure), we will record again to measure differences in the TSEPs following cell body damage. The Neuralynx system will be used to record the potentials at 40 KHz.
TSEPs recording only
TSEPS will also be recorded from healthy controls in a lab setting; all procedures for the healthy controls will be non-invasive.
Locations (1)
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States