The idea that balloon compression can be used for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) originated from the works of two different surgeons who attempted to decompress the gasserian ganglion.

First, in 1952, Taarnhöj decompressed the posterior gasserian ganglion in 10 patients by dividing the dura through a subtemporal approach.

Later, Shelden and colleagues decompressed the nerve more distally, at the foramina ovale and rotundum. This led to the hypothesis that the operative trauma to the ganglion, rather than decompression, is responsible for pain relief. To test this hypothesis, Shelden and colleagues performed rhizotomies of the trigeminal retrogasserian root and published satisfactory results.

The open technique was transformed into the percutaneous technique by Mullan and Lichtor in 1983 and later modified by Brown in 1996. Nerve compression, manually or by balloon, injures medium and large myelinated fibers while sparing small myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. This injury to the medium and large fibers is responsible for disruption of the ephaptic transmission of pain. Balloon compression is particularly useful in patients with V1 TN because of the ability of this percutaneous modality to preserve the corneal reflex.

Contralateral master weakness is a relative contraindication for this technique because balloon compression causes temporary and (rarely) permanent masseter weakness. Bilateral pterygoid/masseter muscle weakness is not disabling, but it may cause moderate mastication dysfunction.

For more details on indications, limitations, and outcomes of the different percutaneous procedures, please refer to the chapter on General Considerations and Indications.

Please refer to the chapter on Placement of the Needle within the Foramen Ovale for further details regarding cannulation of the foramen.

Balloon compression is my preferred percutaneous procedure because it is technically efficacious and, more importantly, since patient cooperation is not required, the patient is anesthetized and comfortable. After intubation, a transcutaneous or transesophageal pacemaker or cardioversion device may be placed in anticipation of a strong trigeminal depressor response.

I have used the commercially available Mullan Percutaneous Trigeminal Ganglion Microcompression Set (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN) although currently this kit is not available; please refer to the first video in this chapter for details of a customized kit. The Mullan set consists of an access needle with stylet, a blunt obturator, and a microcompression balloon catheter. Alternatively, a 13- or 14-gauge blunt needle with a pointed noncutting stylet can be used and the foramen ovale is accessed using Hartel’s anatomic landmarks.

Once the needle has reached a satisfactory position within the Gasserian cistern and its final location has been confirmed with fluoroscopy, the straight obturator is used to create the path for the balloon. The operator’s attention then turns toward preparing the balloon. If a commercially available set is not used, a Fogarty embolectomy balloon catheter (4F; Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA) is prepared in advance and filled with contrast material to check the integrity of the balloon. The depth of the catheter in relation to the needle tip is marked. The catheter is usually inserted about 17 mm deeper than the needle tip.

The blunt obturator is then removed, and the balloon catheter is passed with its tip into the porous trigeminus along the edge of the petrous bone and dorsal to the Meckel’s cave. I place the balloon as close to the skull base as possible because inflation of the balloon along the superior portions of the Gasserian cistern often leads to the balloon’s entrance over the petrous ridge into the posterior fossa.

Once the pear shape of the balloon is confirmed, the balloon can then be inflated to a pressure of approximately 1,000 to 1,200 mm Hg and compression maintained for 60 to 180 seconds. I usually do not measure the pressure and rather subjectively assess the development of resistance while injecting the contrast (0.75-1 ml) through the syringe. Once I feel a resistance against more injection, I stop because forceful injection leads to rupture of the balloon and the need for its replacement. The balloon is inflated for 120 to 180 seconds for patients who are undergoing repeat operations.

After the desired compression, the contrast material is suctioned back into the syringe, and the access needle and balloon catheter are removed in one piece. Pressure is applied to the skin puncture site. After extubation, some patients may experience severe, deep, burning pain, which usually subsides spontaneously within a few hours. Patients may be observed as inpatients for 24 hours or discharged home the same day.

• Upon penetrating the foramen, I do not advance the needle deep within the Meckel’s cave because a more shallow penetration keeps the inflated balloon within the Gasserian cistern and avoids its overinflation and displacement over the petrous ridge.
• Due to the larger caliber of the balloon compression access needle compared with the needles used for radiofrequency and glycerol rhizotomy, vascular injuries caused by the balloon compression access needle can potentially be more consequential.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18791/nsatlas.v6.ch01.2.3