scholarly journals Basilar artery dolichoectasia an unusual and rare cause of secondary trigeminal neuralgia: a clinical report

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zafar Ali Khan Ali Khan ◽  
Shammas Raza Khan Raza Khan ◽  
Tariq Mehmood ◽  
Chaudhary Umar Asghar ◽  
Naseer Ahmed

Objective: Patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia often consults a dentist for relief of their symptoms as the pain seems to be arising from teeth and allied oral structures. Basilar artery Dolichoectasia is an unusual and very rare cause of secondary Trigeminal Neuralgia as it compresses the Trigeminal nerve Root Entry Zone. Case reports: We report three cases of Trigeminal Neuralgia caused by Basilar artery Dolichoectasia compression. The corneal reflex was found absent in all three of the cases along with mild neurological deficits in one case. Multiplanar T1/T2W images through the brain disclosed an aberrant, cirsoid (S-shaped) and torturous Dolichoectasia of basilar artery offending the Trigeminal nerve Root Entry Zone. Discussion: Based on these findings we propose a protocol for general dentist for diagnosis of patients with trigeminal neuralgia and timely exclusion of secondary intracranial causes. Conclusion: General dentists and oral surgeons ought to consider this diagnosis in patients presenting with chronic facial pain especially pain mimicking neuralgia with loss of corneal reflex or other neurosensory deficit on the face along with nighttime pain episodes. Timely and accurate diagnosis and prompt referral to a concerned specialist can have an enormous impact on patient survival rate in such cases. KEYWORDS Basilar artery; Cirsoid dolichoectasia; Corneal reflex; Trigeminal neuralgia.

2002 ◽  
Vol 97 (4) ◽  
pp. 874-880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard J. Edwards ◽  
Yvonne Clarke ◽  
Shelley A. Renowden ◽  
Hugh B. Coakham

Object. Within a series of 341 consecutive patients who underwent posterior fossa surgery for trigeminal neuralgia (TN), in five the cause was found to be a microarteriovenous malformation (micro-AVM) located in the region of the trigeminal nerve root entry zone (REZ). The surgical management and clinical outcomes of these cases are presented. Methods. Patients were identified from a prospectively collected database of all cases of TN treated at one institution between 1980 and 2000. Presentation was clinically indistinguishable from TN caused by vascular compression. Preoperative imaging, including computerized tomography scanning (two cases) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR angiography (three cases), failed to demonstrate an AVM except for one case in which multiple abnormal vessels were identified in the trigeminal REZ on an MR image obtained using a 1.5-tesla magnet. All patients underwent a standard retromastoid craniotomy. In all cases a small AVM embedded in the trigeminal REZ was identified and completely excised, with preservation of the trigeminal nerve. All patients experienced immediate relief of pain following surgery. Postoperatively, in one patient a small pontine hematoma developed, resulting in permanent trigeminal nerve anesthesia in the V2 and V3 divisions. All patients were free from pain at a mean follow-up period of 30 months. Conclusions. These rare lesions are usually angiographically occult, but may sometimes be identifiable on high-resolution MR images. Total microsurgical resection with nerve preservation is possible, although operative complications are relatively common, reflecting the intimate association between these lesions and the pons. Complete resection is advised not only for symptom relief, but also to eliminate the theoretical risk of pontine hemorrhage.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. V4
Author(s):  
Norio Ichimasu ◽  
Nobuyuki Nakajima ◽  
Ken Matsushima ◽  
Michihiro Kohno ◽  
Yutaka Takusagawa

In this operative video, the authors demonstrate the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with typical right trigeminal neuralgia by a trigeminocerebellar artery (TCA). The TCA was first defined by Marinković as a unique branch of the basilar artery supplying both the trigeminal nerve root and the cerebellar hemisphere. As a result of the close relationship between this vessel and the nerve root, the TCA might compress the nerve root, thereby causing trigeminal neuralgia. However, few cases of trigeminal neuralgia caused by TCA have been reported. This video shows the microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia by the TCA.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/UnGsCQRK6aY


Neurosurgery ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 958-961 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory M. Helbig ◽  
James D. Callahan ◽  
Aaron A. Cohen-Gadol

Abstract OBJECTIVE Trigeminal neuralgia is often caused by compression, demyelination, and injury of the trigeminal nerve root entry zone by an adjacent artery and/or vein. Previously described variations of the nerve-vessel relationship note external nerve compression. We offer a detailed classification of intraneural vessels that travel through the trigeminal nerve and safe, effective surgical management. CLINICAL PRESENTATION We report 3 microvascular decompression operations for medically refractory trigeminal neuralgia during which the surgeon encountered a vein crossing through the trigeminal nerve. Two types of intraneural veins are described: type 1, in which the vein travels between the motor and sensory branches of the trigeminal nerve (1 patient), and type 2, in which the vein bisects the sensory branch (portio major) (2 patients). INTERVENTION We recommend sacrificing the intraneural vein between the motor and sensory branches if the vein is small (most likely type 1). If the intraneural vein is large and bisects the sensory branch (most likely type 2), vein mobilization can be achieved, but often requires extensive dissection through the nerve. Because this maneuver may lead to trigeminal nerve injury and result in uncomfortable neuropathy and numbness (including corneal hypoesthesia), we recommend against mobilization of the vein through the nerve, suggesting instead, consideration of a selective trigeminal nerve rhizotomy. CONCLUSION Because aggressive dissection of intraneural vessels can lead to higher than normal complication rates, preoperative knowledge of vein-trigeminal nerve variants is crucial for intraoperative success.


1980 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Haines ◽  
Peter J. Jannetta ◽  
David S. Zorub

✓ The vascular relationships of the trigeminal nerve root entry zone were examined bilaterally in 20 cadavers of individuals known to be free of facial pain. Fourteen of 40 nerves made contact with an artery, but only four of these showed evidence of compression or distortion of the nerve. In addition, the vascular relationships of 40 trigeminal nerves exposed surgically for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia were studied, and 31 nerves showed compression by adjacent arteries. Venous compression was seen in four of the cadaver nerves and in eight nerves from patients with trigeminal neuralgia. These data support the hypothesis that arterial compression of the trigeminal nerve is associated with trigeminal neuralgia.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. E50-E51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl R Abi-Aad ◽  
Evelyn Turcotte ◽  
Devi P Patra ◽  
Matthew E Welz ◽  
Tanmoy Maiti ◽  
...  

Abstract This is the case of an 86-yr-old gentleman who presented with left facial pain exacerbated by eating, drinking, chewing, and shaving (distribution: V2, V3). The patient was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia and was refractory to medications. Imaging showed a superior cerebellar artery (SCA) loop adjacent to the trigeminal nerve root entry zone and a decision to perform a microvascular decompression of the fifth nerve was presented to the patient. After patient informed consent was obtained, a standard 3 cm × 3 cm retrosigmoid craniotomy was performed with the patient in a supine head turned position and in reverse Trendelenburg. The arachnoid bands tethering the SCA to the trigeminal nerve were sharply divided. A slit was then made in the tentorium and a 3 mm fenestrated clip was then used to secure the transposed SCA away from the trigeminal nerve. The SCA proximal to this was slightly patulous in its course so a small amount of a fibrin glue was also used to secure the more proximal SCA to the tentorium. The patient was symptom-free postoperatively and no longer required medical therapy. Additionally, imaging was consistent with adequate separation of the nerve from adjacent vessels.1-5


2015 ◽  
Vol 122 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan D. Breshears ◽  
Michael E. Ivan ◽  
Jennifer A. Cotter ◽  
Andrew W. Bollen ◽  
Phillip V. Theodosopoulos ◽  
...  

Gliomas of the cranial nerve root entry zone are rare clinical entities. There have been 11 reported cases in the literature, including only 2 glioblastomas. The authors report the case of a 67-year-old man who presented with isolated facial numbness and was found to have a glioblastoma involving the trigeminal nerve root entry zone. After biopsy the patient completed treatment with conformal radiation and concomitant temozolomide, and at 23 weeks after surgery he demonstrated symptom progression despite the treatment described. This is the first reported case of a glioblastoma of the trigeminal nerve root entry zone.


2014 ◽  
Vol 121 (4) ◽  
pp. 940-943 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenichi Amagasaki ◽  
Shoko Abe ◽  
Saiko Watanabe ◽  
Kazuaki Naemura ◽  
Hiroshi Nakaguchi

This 31-year-old woman presented with typical right trigeminal neuralgia caused by a trigeminocerebellar artery, manifesting as pain uncontrollable with medical treatment. Preoperative neuroimaging studies demonstrated that the offending artery had almost encircled the right trigeminal nerve. This finding was confirmed intraoperatively, and decompression was completed. The neuralgia resolved after the surgery; the patient had slight transient hypesthesia, which fully resolved within the 1st month after surgery. The neuroimaging and intraoperative findings showed that the offending artery directly branched from the upper part of the basilar artery and, after encircling and supplying tiny branches to the nerve root, maintained its diameter and coursed toward the rostral direction of the cerebellum, which indicated that the artery supplied both the trigeminal nerve and the cerebellum. The offending artery was identified as the trigeminocerebellar artery. This case of trigeminal neuralgia caused by a trigeminocerebellar artery indicates that this variant is important for a better understanding of the vasculature of the trigeminal nerve root.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukihiro Goto ◽  
Takuro Inoue

Abstract The trigeminocerebellar artery (TCA) is an infrequent anatomic anomaly of the branches originating from the basilar artery. It is clinically identifiable by the presence of the ipsilateral superior cerebellar artery and the anterior inferior cerebellar artery, and its course from the basilar artery to the cerebellar hemisphere. Because of its anatomic proximity to the trigeminal nerve root, the TCA often causes trigeminal neuralgia (TGN). Unlike other common arteries, repositioning the TCA is not always feasible when it penetrates the trigeminal nerve root (the intraneural type of TCA). In addition, the rich perforators originating from the TCA may limit its movability. The nerve decompression technique in such a rare condition has not yet been fully assessed. In this video, we present the nerve-splitting method for the intraneural type of TCA, in which sufficient isolation of the sensory root is achieved. The motor root of the trigeminal nerve originates from the brainstem slightly rostral of the root entry zone of the sensory root. Dissecting the motor root from its exit to the porous trigeminus allows mobilization of the root together with penetrating TCA away from the sensory root. The movability of the TCA increases by dissecting its perforators to the nerve root and brain stem. Sufficient separation of the sensory root contributes to ensuring the surgical result of nerve decompression and reducing the risk of recurrence due to adhesion. No complications of motor root retraction, such as masseter weakness and malocclusion, were noted in our experience.  All data identifying the patients were anonymized. All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of our institutional and national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. This study also obtained approval from the ethics committee of our institution. Written informed consent was obtained from all individual participants, as well as their first-degree relatives, included in this study.


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