Three-dimensionally printed personalized guide plate for percutaneous radiofrequency thermal coagulation in idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia.

Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) is used widely for the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Precise puncture and placement of the electrode needle tip are crucial for successful RFT. This technical note introduces a novel method for performing RFT using a customized, three-dimensionally (3D)-printed guide plate. Eleven patients with idiopathic TN were treated using this method between February and July 2016. Three had V2 branch TN and eight had V3 branch TN. Punctures in eight patients were successful at the first attempt; slight adjustments were required subsequently in the other three patients. The puncture time in all cases was less than 1min. The patients reported pain relief immediately after RFT, and no complications were observed in any patient. Thus, the customized 3D-printed guide plate offers the advantages of precise placement of the puncture needle and minimal complications.