OBJECT: The authors evaluated the effectiveness of microsurgical @entity3627 ganglionectomy in 39 @entity1 with medically refractory chronic @entity158 . In this procedure the neurons transmitting sensory inputs from the occiput are removed and, unlike peripheral nerve ablation, axonal regeneration is not possible. METHODS: The @entity1 in this series had symptoms for 1 to 43 years. In 22 @entity1 the @entity158 was caused by @entity130 ; in 17 @entity1 the @entity158 was spontaneous. @entity158 relief failed in 17 @entity1 who had undergone a previous occipital neurectomy or @entity3627 rhizolysis. Twenty-three @entity1 experienced @entity158 that was described as shocklike, electric, shooting, jabbing, stabbing, sharp, or exploding (Group I). Eight @entity1 described their @entity158 as dull, pounding, aching, throbbing, or pressurelike (Group II). The @entity1 underwent unilateral or bilateral @entity3627 open microsurgical ganglionectomies. The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 19 to 48 months. Nineteen @entity1 experienced an excellent result (> 90% reduction in @entity158 ). @entity158 caused by @entity130 or that described using Group I terms responded best to ganglionectomy (80% good or excellent response). In contrast, the majority of the @entity1 with nontraumatic @entity158 or those described using Group II descriptors did not achieve favorable results. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that: 1) @entity1 who suffer from chronic @entity158 after having sustained @entity130 worthwhile benefit from microsurgical @entity3627 ganglionectomy; 2) @entity1 suffering from @entity2704 , tension, and @entity17449 involving the occipital area are most often not helped by this operation; and 3) terms such as "shock," "electric," "shooting," "jabbing," and "sharp" used to describe @entity158 predict a favorable @entity158 outcome following a @entity3627 ganglionectomy.

Microsurgical XXXX ganglionectomy for chronic intractable @entity158 .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity17449 :: ('MESH:D014653', 'Disease') :: ['vascular headaches'] @entity3627 :: ('717', 'Gene') :: ['C-2'] @entity2704 :: ('MESH:D008881', 'Disease') :: ['migraine'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['Pain', 'occipital pain', 'pain'] @entity130 :: ('MESH:D014947', 'Disease') :: ['trauma', 'injury obtain']
@entity3627 :: (717,Gene) :: ['C-2']
