The ganglion of Gasser is a collection of cells in the brain nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, which provides sensation to the head and face and moves the masticatory muscles. The trigeminal nerve splits into three branches from the ganglion. The ophthalmic branch distributes to the forehead, upper part of the face. The maxillary branch senses the top of the cheekbone (maxilla) and the middle part of the face, and the mandibular branch senses the lower jaw (mandible) and the lower part of the face.

Trigeminal neuralgia is described as a very intense, sharp, shooting, electrical pain lasting seconds to minutes, triggered by minor stimuli such as talking, eating, shaving, brushing teeth and washing the face. The pain is limited to one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. It most commonly affects the maxillary and mandibular branches.

The Gasserian ganglion is located inside the skull near the foramen oval near the brain stem. Gasser’s ganglion block is performed with a radiofrequency needle passed through the foramen ovale between the bones of the skull base and entered at the level of the second molar tooth under sedation and scopy guidance. An electric current is applied to the Gasser’s ganglion with a radiofrequency needle, heating it to 40-60 °C. This prevents the ganglion from transmitting further pain signals. Relief from pain is usually felt quite quickly.