Boston Medical Center Offers CyberKnife Radiosurgery to treat Trigeminal Neuralgia

Physicians at Boston Medical Center (BMC) are now offering patients a non-invasive treatment for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery system is an effective therapeutic alternative to medically refractory TN. The CyberKnife uses advanced image-guidance and computer controlled robotics to deliver multiple beams of high-energy radiation to a specified target from virtually any direction.

This new technology is exciting for the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM), because as GSDM Associate Professor and Chair of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Dr. David Cottrell explains, "Trigeminal neuralgia is a common condition often masquerading as dental pain. The pain itself is severely debilitating and the etiology of the disease is still uncertain in many cases. The treatment is often pharmacologic and can be refractory to conventional therapy." Dr. Cottrell continues, "Dr. Lawrence Chin, Chief of the Department of Neurosurgery at BMC and Chairman and Professor of Neurosurgery at Boston University School of Medicine, has experience treating this sometimes debilitating condition with this new therapy. The CyberKnife can also be used to treat a variety of other conditions including tumors."

More information on the CyberKnife is available on the Boston Medical Center website.