2014 Volume 21 Issue 1 Pages 31-34
Herein, we report 3 cases of anesthesia dolorosa (AD) after invasive treatment of the Gasserian ganglion for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Case 1: A 71-year-old woman complained of severe pain with sensory loss in the right side of her face for 2 years after balloon compression of the Gasserian ganglion for TN. She did not respond to any medication, but finally achieved pain relief with amitriptyline (45 mg). Case 2: A 72-year-old woman complained of dysesthesia in the left orbit for 1 year after microvascular decompression surgery for TN. In this patient, amitriptyline (30 mg) provided pain relief. Case 3: A 62-year-old woman complained of severe pain in her left cheek and lower jaw with sensory loss after a Gasserian ganglion block with alcohol. She could not continue amitriptyline because of somnolence. However, pregabalin (225 mg) ameliorated the pain in this patient. We were able to reduce pain and dysesthesia associated with AD in all three cases.
