Neurosurgical Treatment Chronic Pain Syndromes Surgery can dramatically benefit people suffering from certain pain syndromes, particularly those characterized by paroxysmal pain such as trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralgia. It is generally a chronic condition which may last indefinitely. It can begin at any time in life, although the symptoms appear in middle age. About 3 out of every 10,000 people are affected. Although caused by a dysfunction in the brain, its symptoms are limited to sustained or intermittent involuntary contractions of the muscles around the neck which control the position of the head.
Some patients also experience shaking movements of the head and arms.
Neurosurgical treatments can provide dramatic relief in selected cases of spasmodic torticollis and other focal dystonias . A variety of procedures are available through the MGH neurosurgical service. M.D. For more information regarding bilateral stereotactic cingulotomy . Psychosurgery Overview . Also see the MGH Psychiatry Homepage .