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Dangerous Rises in Blood Pressure upon Heating of Trigeminal Rootlets; Increased Bleeding Times in Patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia

1985; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 17; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1227/00006123-198511000-00022

1524-4040

William H. Sweet, Charles E. Poletti, J.T. Roberts,

Neurosurgical Procedures and Complications

During radiofrequency (RF) heating of trigeminal rootlets, we regularly measured blood pressure rises to 250 to 300 mm Hg, confirming two previous reports. We also found abnormally increased bleeding times in 12% of 127 patients awaiting operation for trigeminal neuralgia. These two facts probably explain 6 fatalities and 2 lasting hemiplegias from intracranial bleeding unrelated to vascular puncture by the needle electrode during RF procedures for trigeminal neuralgia. We recommend correction of the abnormal bleeding time and control of the blood pressure rises by i.v. sodium nitroprusside.