Report of cases of trifacial neuralgia : treated by removal of Meckel's ganglion, also by the successful internal administration of aconitia / by A. Van Derveer.

  • Van Derveer, Albert, 1841-1929.
Date:
[1883]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of cases of trifacial neuralgia : treated by removal of Meckel's ganglion, also by the successful internal administration of aconitia / by A. Van Derveer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    each operated twice by loosening the attachment of the cheek from the alveolar processes, affording a few months’ relief each time to the patient. I did the same operation with equally good effect; but in September, 1870, the pain returned with as much earnestness as ever. I now made use of a very thorough treatment of iron, arsenic, Brown- Sequard neuralgic pills, injections of chloroform, and every remedy known to me, but with no especial benefit. March, 1871, I made a section of the infra-orbital nerve, which resulted in affording great comfort to the patient, and for two years he remained quite free from pain. It then returned, more especially along the course of the inferior dental, and I suggested the removal of Meckel’s ganglion, but his health was such that neither he nor his friends thought it safe. The old gentleman has lived on however, and though yet in great pain for months at a time, he will improve occasionally, and is alive at the present time. Between the time of having Mr. S. under treatment and the care of the following case, I was so impressed with an operation I saw Dr. Thorndike, of Boston, perform on an exceedingly feeble gentleman, aged sixty-five, consisting in the removal of the infra-orbital nerve with Meckel’s ganglion, in a case of long standing trifacial neuralgia, right side of face, that I determined to try it with my next similar patient. I would state here that I have since been informed by Dr. W. G. Wheeler, of Boston, that this patient remained well for two years; that the pain then returned in the left side of the face, and, after suffering a long time, he entered the Massachusetts General Hospital, had another operation like the former, and died a few days afterward from exhaustion. Miss B., aged forty, first consulted me July, 1875, giving the following history: For three or four years previous she had suffered from neuralgic pains in right side of the face, differing as to length of time and degree of severity. Her general health up to this time had been good. No serious sickness, and family history clear. Passed the menopause