BALLOON COMPRESSION
Surgical Treatments for Facial Neuralgias

DISCLAIMER

A rhizotomy can also performed with the balloon compression technique. A small fiber is inserted through the skin to near the base of the trigeminal nerve. A small balloon at the end is then inflated, causing slight damage to the nerve.

  Percutaneous Balloon Compression of the Trigeminal Nerve
View a quick-time movie of Ballon Compression from the Department of Neurological Surgery, Medical College of Ohio in Toledo.