Cerebellopontine Angle Epidermoids Presenting with Cranial Nerve Hyperactive Dysfunction: Pathogenesis and Long-term Surgical Results in 30 Patients

Neurosurgery ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 276-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitoshi Kobata ◽  
Akinori Kondo ◽  
Koichi Iwasaki
Keyword(s):  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Cerebellopontine Angle ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Surgical Results ◽  
Neurovascular Structures

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To provide the characteristics and long-term surgical results of patients who present with cerebellopontine angle epidermoids and trigeminal neuralgia (TN) or hemifacial spasm. METHODS A total of 30 patients (23 women, 7 men) who presented with cerebellopontine angle epidermoids and TN (28 patients) or hemifacial spasm (2 patients) between 1982 and 1995 were reviewed, with emphasis being placed on the clinical manifestations, the mechanisms of symptom development, the long-term follow-up results, and the anatomic relationship between the tumor and the surrounding neurovascular structures. RESULTS The average age of the patients was 37.8 years at symptom onset and 49.3 years at the time of the operation. The tumor-nerve relationships were classified into four types: complete encasement of the nerve by the tumor, compression and distortion of the nerve by the tumor, compression of the nerve by an artery located on the opposite side of the unilateral tumor, and compression of the nerve by an artery on the same side of the tumor. Total resection was achieved in 17 patients (56.7%). Microvascular decompression of the respective cranial nerve was achieved in nine cases of direct arterial compression in addition to tumor removal. The symptom was relieved completely in all cases. In an average follow-up period of 11.5 years, three patients developed recurrent symptoms: two experienced tumor regrowth, and one had arachnoid adhesion. CONCLUSION Hyperactive dysfunction of the cranial nerves, especially TN, may be the initial and only symptom that patients with cerebellopontine angle epidermoids experience. The occurrence of TN at a younger age was characteristic of TN patients with epidermoids, in contrast to patients with TN due to a vascular cause. The symptom is elicited by compression of the nerve by the tumor per se, by an artery that is displaced to the nerve, or by both. Careful resection of the tumor, whose capsule occasionally is strongly adherent to the neurovascular structures, is necessary, and microvascular decompression to straighten the neuraxis should be performed in some cases to achieve a complete, permanent cure of symptoms with a low rate of recurrence.

scholarly journals Microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm involving the vertebral artery

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Wang ◽  
Yulong Chong ◽  
Chengrong Jiang ◽  
Yuxiang Dai ◽  
Weibang Liang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vertebral Artery ◽  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Surgical Outcomes ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Cure Rate ◽  
Group A ◽  
Group B

Abstract Objective Microvascular decompression (MVD) has become an accepted treatment modality for the vertebral artery (VA)–involved hemifacial spasm (HFS). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate clinical and surgical outcomes of HFS patients undergoing MVD and surgical and cranial nerve complications and investigate reasonable transposition procedures for two different anatomic variations of VA. Methods Between January and December 2018, 109 patients underwent first MVD for HFS involving VA at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital. Based on whether the VA could be moved ventrally at the lower cranial nerves (LCNs) level, patients were assigned to Group A (movable VA, n = 72) or B (unmovable VA, n = 37), and clinical and surgical outcomes and complications on the day of post-surgery and during follow-up were assessed. All patients were followed up ranging from 17 to 24 months with a mean follow-up period of 21 months. Results After a mean follow-up of 21 months, the total cure rate significantly decreased in all patients compared to that achieved on the day of surgery, and Group A patients exhibited a higher cure rate versus Group B (93.1% vs. 75.7%, P = 0.015). Group B patients with unmovable VA revealed both higher incidence of surgical complications (45.9% vs. 15.3%, P = 0.001) and frequency of bilateral VA compression (27% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.009) versus Group A. No significant difference was observed in long-term cranial nerve complications. Conclusions VA-involved HFS can benefit from MVD strategies after preoperative assessment of VA compression. HFS patients with movable VA may receive better long-term efficacy and fewer complications. A Teflon bridge wedged between the distal VA and medulla gives rise to adequate space for decompression surgery.

Schwannomas

2019 ◽  
pp. 255-270
Author(s):  
Tiit Mathiesen ◽  
Petter Förander ◽  
David Pettersson
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Cerebellopontine Angle ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Intracranial Tumours ◽  
Tumour Control ◽  
Nerve Paresis

Sporadic vestibular schwannoma (VS) is the commonest tumour of the cerebellopontine angle and comprise 6–8% of all intracranial tumours. The incidence varies between 12 and 20 cases per million inhabitants and years in different reports; a large minority of these tumours grow during follow-up. Treatment options include wait and scan, microsurgery, radiosurgery, and radiotherapy. Micro- and radiosurgery are well validated to offer long-term tumour control, but patients may suffer from hearing deficit and facial nerve paresis. Unexpectedly, long-term life quality is more affected by vertigo and headaches. Other cranial nerve schwannomas cause symptoms depending on the affected nerves and respond to the same therapies when treatment is indicated.

Microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm

1991 ◽  
Vol 75 (3) ◽  
pp. 388-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinji Nagahiro ◽  
Akira Takada ◽  
Yasuhiko Matsukado ◽  
Yukitaka Ushio
Keyword(s):  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Seventh Cranial Nerve ◽  
Cerebellar Artery

✓ To determine the causative factors of unsuccessful microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm, the follow-up results in 53 patients were assessed retrospectively. The mean follow-up period was 36 months. There were 32 patients who had compression of the seventh cranial nerve ventrocaudally by an anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) or a posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Of these 32 patients, 30 (94%) had excellent postoperative results. Of 14 patients with more severe compression by the vertebral artery, nine (64%) had excellent results, three (21%) had good results, and two (14%) had poor results; in this group, three patients with excellent results experienced transient spasm recurrence. There were seven patients in whom the meatal branch of the AICA coursed between the seventh and eighth cranial nerves and compressed the dorsal aspect of the seventh nerve; this was usually associated with another artery compressing the ventral aspect of the nerve (“sandwich-type” compression). Of these seven patients, five (71%) had poor results including operative failure in one and recurrence of spasm in four. The authors conclude that the clinical outcome was closely related to the patterns of vascular compression.

scholarly journals Current neurosurgical management of glossopharyngeal neuralgia and technical nuances for microvascular decompression surgery

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. E8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberto Rey-Dios ◽  
Aaron A. Cohen-Gadol
Keyword(s):  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Pain Syndrome ◽  
Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia ◽  
Decompression Surgery ◽  
Delay In Diagnosis ◽  
Root Exit Zone ◽  
Microvascular Decompression Surgery

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) is an uncommon facial pain syndrome often misdiagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia. The rarity of this condition and its overlap with other cranial nerve hyperactivity syndromes often leads to a significant delay in diagnosis. The surgical procedures with the highest rates of pain relief for GPN are rhizotomy and microvascular decompression (MVD) of cranial nerves IX and X. Neurovascular conflict at the level of the root exit zone of these cranial nerves is believed to be the cause of this pain syndrome in most cases. Vagus nerve rhizotomy is usually reserved for cases in which vascular conflict is not evident. A review of the literature reveals that although the addition of cranial nerve X rhizotomy may improve the chances of long-term pain control, this maneuver also increases the risk of permanent dysphagia and vocal cord paralysis. The risks of this procedure have to be carefully weighed against its benefits. Based on the authors' experience, careful patient selection with a thorough exploratory operation most often leads to identification of the site of vascular conflict, obviating the need for cranial nerve X rhizotomy.

Vascular cross-compression of the Vllth and VIIIth cranial nerves

1992 ◽  
Vol 106 (5) ◽  
pp. 436-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoki Ohashi ◽  
Satsuki Yasumura ◽  
Hajime Nakagawa ◽  
Kanemasa Mizukoshi ◽  
Shougo Kuze
Keyword(s):  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Stellate Ganglion ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Sodium Bicarbonate Solution ◽  
Stellate Ganglion Block ◽  
Ganglion Block ◽  
Ct Cisternography ◽  
Facial Spasm

AbstractA 53-year-old male patient had been suffering from severe aural symptoms (pulsatile right-sided tinnitus and paroxysmal dizziness attacks with nausea) and right hemifacial spasm. Treatment had involved stellate ganglion block with lignocaine and the injection of intravenous sodium bicarbonate solution for attacks of Meniere's syndrome and facial nerve block with lidocaine for hemi-facial spasm. Despite these treatments, the dizzy attacks became more frequent, developing into the clustering state. Air CT cisternography and vertebral angiography demonstrated an enlarged and curved vertebral artery. Vascular cross-compression of the Vllth and VHIth cranial nerves was therefore suspected. Microvascular decompression was performed. After operation, the pulsatile tinnitus, dizziness and hemifacial spasm disappeared. From the present case and a review of the literature, we conclude that vascular cross-compression of the VHIth cranial nerve should be an indication for microvascular decompression only when symptoms of vascular cross-compression of the Vllth cranial nerve are also seen.

Does Intraoperative Monitoring of Auditory Evoked Potentials Reduce Incidence of Hearing Loss as a Complication of Microvascular Decompression of Cranial Nerves?

Neurosurgery ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aage R. Møller ◽  
Margareta B. Møller
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Evoked Potentials ◽  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Auditory Evoked Potentials ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Hearing Threshold ◽  
Speech Discrimination ◽  
Compound Action Potentials

Abstract During a 14-month period, 129 individuals underwent 140 operations for microvascular decompression to relieve hemifacial spasm, disabling positional vertigo, tinnitus, or trigeminal neuralgia at our institution. Seven patients were operated upon twice on the same side and 4 were operated upon on both sides at different times. In each case, the brainstem auditory evoked potentials were monitored intraoperatively by the same neurophysiologist. In 75 of these operations, compound action potentials were also recorded from the exposed 8th nerve. Comparison of speech discrimination scores before the operation and at the time fo discharge showed that at discharge, discrimination had decreased in 7 patients by 15% or more and increased in 4 patients by 15% or more, in 2 patients by as much as 52%. Essentially similar results were obtained when preoperative speech discrimination scores were compared with results obtained from the 87 patients who returned for a follow-up visit between 3 and 6 months after discharge. Only one patient lost hearing (during a second operation to relieve hemifacial spasm). Another patient (also operated upon to relieve hemifacial spasm) suffered noticeable hearing loss postoperatively, but had recovered nearly normal hearing by 4 months after the operation. Nine patients had an average elevation of the hearing threshold for pure tones in the speech frequency range (500 to 2000 Hz) of 11 dB or more at 4 to 5 days after the operation; 8 of these had fluid in their middle ears that most likely contributed to the hearing loss. Threshold elevations occurred at 4000 Hz and 8000 Hz in 19 and 29 ears, respectively.

scholarly journals Microvascular transposition using Teflon sling technique

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. V2
Author(s):  
Mitchell W. Couldwell ◽  
Vance Mortimer, AS ◽  
William T. Couldwell
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Established Technique

Microvascular decompression is a well-established technique used to relieve abnormal vascular compression of cranial nerves and associated pain. Here the authors describe three cases in which a sling technique was used in the treatment of cranial nerve pain syndromes: trigeminal neuralgia with predominant V2 distribution, hemifacial spasm, and geniculate neuralgia and right-sided ear pain. In each case, the artery was mobilized from the nerve and tethered with a sling. All three patients had reduction of symptoms within 6 weeks.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/iM7gukvPz6E

scholarly journals Long-Term Retrospective Analysis of Re-do Microvascular Decompression in Patients With Hemifacial Spasm

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiayu Liu ◽  
Fang Li ◽  
Guangyong Wu ◽  
Bo Liu ◽  
Jingru Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
Root Exit Zone ◽  
Surgical Methods ◽  
The Difference

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with persistent or recurrent hemifacial spasm (HFS) and the experience of microvascular decompression (MVD) in the treatment of such patients to accumulate additional clinical evidence for optimal treatment protocols.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data, surgical methods and treatment efficacies of 176 patients with persistent or recurrent HFS from January 2009 to January 2018.Results: Missing compression zones was the main reason for symptom persistence (87.50%) or recurrence (71.50%) after MVD treatment of HFS. We divided the surgical area into three zones. Most persistent or recurrent cases had decompression only in the root exit zone (REZ) (Zone 1) but missed the ventrolateral pons-involved area (Zone 2) or the bulbopontine sulcus-involved area (Zone 3) in the first MVD. Too much use of Teflon (12.50%), arachnoid adhesions (5.60%) and Teflon granulomas (10.40%) can also cause a recurrence. The difference between preoperative and postoperative Cohen scores was statistically significant in persistent or recurrent HFS patients (p<0.05). The postoperative follow-up time ranged from 36 to 108 months (71.75 ± 22.77).Conclusions: MVD should be performed in the compression site, which is mostly located at the brainstem/facial REZ. Intraoperative exploration should be conducted in accordance with the abovementioned zones to effectively avoid missing offending vessels. Re-do MVD is effective in patients with persistent or recurrent HFS.

Facial and Cochlear Nerve Function after Surgery of Cerebellopontine Angle Meningiomas

Neurosurgery ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Makoto Nakamura ◽  
Florian Roser ◽  
Mehdi Dormiani ◽  
Cordula Matthies ◽  
Peter Vorkapic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Cerebellopontine Angle ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Tumor Location ◽  
Cochlear Nerve ◽  
Nerve Function ◽  
Facial Nerve Function ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Meningiomas of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) share a common location, but their site of dural origin and their relationship to surrounding neurovascular structures of the CPA are variable. The clinical presentation and outcome after surgical resection are different because of the diversity of this tumor entity. We report on a series of 421 patients with CPA meningiomas, with special emphasis on the analysis of the preoperative and postoperative facial and cochlear nerve function in relation to the site of dural attachment and main tumor location in the CPA cistern. METHODS: Among 421 patients, the charts of 347 patients with complete clinical data, including the history and audiograms, imaging studies, surgical records, discharge letters, histological records, and follow-up records, were reviewed retrospectively. Data about preoperative and postoperative facial nerve function were available in 334 patients, and audiometric analysis was conducted in 333 patients. Patients with neurofibromatosis Type 2 were excluded from the study. RESULTS: There were 270 women and 77 men, with a mean age of 53.4 years (range, 17.6–84 yr). Among these patients, 32.9% of the tumors originated at the petrous ridge anterior to the inner auditory canal (IAC) (Group 1), 22.2% showed involvement of the IAC (Group 2), 20.2% were located superior to the IAC (Group 3), 11.8% were inferior to the IAC (Group 4), and 12.9% were posterior to the IAC, originating between the IAC and the sigmoid sinus (Group 5). Patients presented with disturbance of Cranial Nerves V–VIII, the lower cranial nerves, and ataxia, depending on the main tumor location. Tumor resection was performed through a suboccipital-retrosigmoidal approach in the semisitting position in 95% of the patients. A combined supratentorial-infratentorial presigmoidal approach was performed in 5%. Total tumor removal (Simpson Grade 1 and 2) was achieved in 85.9% and subtotal removal in 14.1%. The best initial postoperative facial and auditory nerve function was observed in tumors belonging to Groups 3 and 5. Recovery from preoperative deafness was observed in 1.8% of patients. On long-term follow-up, good facial nerve function (House-Brackmann Grade 1 or 2) was observed in 88.9% of patients. Hearing preservation among patients with preoperative functional hearing was documented in 90.8% on long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: Although the outcome of facial and cochlear nerve function is different in CPA meningiomas, depending on the topographic classification of these tumors, preservation of the cochlear nerve is possible in every tumor group and should be attempted in every patient with CPA meningioma. It has to be kept in mind that recovery of hearing was also observed in patients with preoperative profound hearing deficits.

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