scholarly journals Geniculate neuralgia in an adolescent treated via sectioning of the nervus intermedius and microvascular decompression

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-192
Author(s):  
Derek D. George ◽  
Thomas S. Ridder
Keyword(s):  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Facial Pain ◽  
English Language ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
External Ear ◽  
Language Literature ◽  
Nervus Intermedius ◽  
Stimulation Of

Geniculate neuralgia or nervus intermedius (NI) neuralgia is a rare condition characterized by intermittent, severe, stabbing deep ear pain. The pain can be triggered by stimulation of the external ear and is sometimes accompanied by facial pain. The condition is thought to result, in part, from vascular compression of the NI, although other etiologies exist. To date, fewer than 150 cases have been described in the English-language literature, and only 1 case of surgically treated geniculate neuralgia with microvascular decompression (MVD) of cranial nerves VIII, IX, and X has been described in a pediatric patient. Here, the authors present the case of an adolescent boy with bilateral geniculate neuralgia treated at two different time points with sectioning of the NI and MVD.

A Case Report of Pediatric Geniculate Neuralgia Treated with Sectioning of the Nervus Intermedius and Microvascular Decompression of Cranial Nerves IX and X

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 439-443
Author(s):  
Georgios Zenonos ◽  
Michael M. McDowell ◽  
Hussam Abou-Al-Shaar ◽  
Kenan Alkhalili ◽  
Paul A. Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Pediatric Population ◽  
English Literature ◽  
Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Extensive Evaluation ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Nervus Intermedius

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Classic geniculate neuralgia (GN) is a rare condition characterized by lancinating pain centered in the ear and not involving the throat. To the best of our knowledge, no case of pediatric GN has been reported in the English literature. <b><i>Case Presentation:</i></b> We present the first reported case of successfully treated GN in a child via an endoscopic approach. The patient was a 9-year-old boy who presented with a 1-year history of lancinating right ear pain. Neuroleptics resulted in a short-lived improvement in symptoms, but with significant side effects. Extensive evaluation by multiple specialties did not reveal a cause for his pain. Imaging disclosed a tortuous loop of the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery abutting cranial nerves IX and X but no other abnormalities. The patient underwent an endoscopic microvascular decompression of cranial nerves IX and X, and sectioning of the nervus intermedius through a right retromastoid craniotomy. Postoperatively, the patient reported complete resolution of his symptoms that persisted at 3 months of follow-up. At the 5-year follow-up, the patient maintained pain relief and was developing normally. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> GN can affect the pediatric population. In carefully selected patients with consistent clinical and radiographic presentation, sectioning of the nervus intermedius and microvascular decompression of the lower cranial nerves can be an effective treatment.

Bilateral Nervus Intermedius Sectioning for Geniculate Neuralgia: Case Report and Operative Video

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keaton Piper ◽  
Qizhi Victoria Zheng ◽  
Robert S Heller ◽  
Siviero Agazzi
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Contralateral Side ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Successful Resolution ◽  
Surgical Options ◽  
Vascular Loop ◽  
Nervus Intermedius

Abstract BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE Geniculate neuralgia is a rare condition characterized by excruciating ear pain. Surgical options for geniculate neuralgia include microvascular decompression and sectioning of the nervus intermedius. We report herein a case of bilateral geniculate neuralgia treated by nervus intermedius sectioning without prior microvascular decompression. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this treatment strategy with a subsequent description of the side effects of bilateral nervus intermedius disruption. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 54-yr-old woman presented with bilateral geniculate neuralgia, worse on the left, refractory to medical therapy. Surgical treatment options were reviewed, including microvascular decompression and sectioning of the nervus intermedius. She opted for left nervus intermedius sectioning. The procedure was uncomplicated and no compressive vascular loop was identified during surgery. Postoperatively, she had complete symptom resolution with no discernable side effects. Three years later, the patient developed worsening geniculate neuralgia on the contralateral side. After the discussion of treatment options, she opted again for sectioning of the contralateral nervus intermedius with successful resolution of all symptoms after surgery. Following surgery, the patient identified partial impairment of lacrimation and gustation. She continued to have functional taste of the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, lacrimation, and hearing bilaterally. CONCLUSION Bilateral sectioning of nervus intermedius may provide benefit in patients with bilateral geniculate neuralgia without egregious side effects. However, lacrimatory and gustatory alterations are a potentially significant side effect with a wide range of symptomatology.

Comparison of Clinical Symptoms and Magnetic Resonance Angiographic (MRA) Results in Patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia and Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain. Medium-Term Outcome after Microvascular Decompression of Cases with Positive MRA Findings

Cephalalgia ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Kuncz ◽  
E Vörös ◽  
P Barzó ◽  
J Tajti ◽  
P Milassin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Facial Pain ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Term Outcome ◽  
Persistent Idiopathic Facial Pain ◽  
Venous Compression ◽  
Imaging Results

To evaluate whether NC could be demonstrated preoperatively, high-resolution magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed in 287 consecutive patients with TN and persistent idiopathic facial pain (PIFP) on a 0.5-T and a 1-T MR unit. Depending on the clinical symptoms, the TN cases were divided into typical TN and trigeminal neuralgia with non-neuralgic interparoxysmal pain (TNWIP) groups. Microvascular decompression (MVD) was performed in 103 of the MRA-positive cases. The patients were followed up postoperatively for from 1 to 10 years. The clinical symptoms were compared with the imaging results. The value of MRA was assessed on the basis of the clinical symptoms and surgical findings. The outcome of MVD was graded as excellent, good or poor. The clinical symptoms were compared with the type of vascular compression and the outcome of MVD. The MRA image was positive in 161 (56%) of the 287 cases. There were significant differences between the clinical groups: 66.5% of the typical TN group, 47.5% of the TNWIP group and 3.4% of the PIFP group were positive. The quality of the MR unit significantly determined the ratio of positive/negative MRA results. The surgical findings corresponded with the MRA images. Six patients from the MRA-negative group were operated on for selective rhizotomy and no NC was found. Venous compression of the trigeminal nerve was observed in a significantly higher proportion in the background of TNWIP than in that of typical TN on MRA imaging (24.1% and 0.8%, respectively) and also during MVD (31.2% and 1.2%, respectively). Four years following the MVD, 69% of the patients gave an excellent, 23% a good and 8% a poor result. The rate of some kind of recurrence of pain was 20% in the typical TN and 44% in TNWIP group. The rate of recurrence was 57% when pure venous compression was present. The only patient who was operated on from the PIFP group did not react to the MVD. The clinical symptoms and preoperative MRA performed by at least a 1-T MR unit furnish considerable information, which can play a role in the planning of the treatment of TN.

Endoscopic-Assisted Microvascular Decompression

2018 ◽  
pp. 139-154
Author(s):  
M. Yashar S. Kalani ◽  
Michael R. Levitt ◽  
Celene B. Mulholland ◽  
Charles Teo ◽  
Peter Nakaji
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Effective Treatment ◽  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Patient Population ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Ephaptic Transmission

Diseases of ephaptic transmission are commonly caused by vascular compression of cranial nerves. The advent of microvascular decompression has allowed for surgical intervention for this patient population. This chapter highlights the technique of endoscopic-assisted microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm. Endoscopy and keyhole techniques have resulted in a minimally invasive and effective treatment of symptoms for patients with neuralgia.

scholarly journals Microvascular Decompression for Geniculate Neuralgia through a Retrosigmoid Approach

2018 ◽  
Vol 80 (S 03) ◽  
pp. S322-S322
Author(s):  
Vincent N. Nguyen ◽  
Jaafar Basma ◽  
Jeffrey Sorenson ◽  
L. Madison Michael
Keyword(s):  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Cerebellopontine Angle ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Senior Author ◽  
Retrosigmoid Approach ◽  
Microsurgical Anatomy ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Large Vein ◽  
Microsurgical Techniques ◽  
Nervus Intermedius

Objectives To describe a retrosigmoid approach for the microvascular sectioning of the nervus intermedius and decompression of the 5th and 9th cranial nerves, with emphasis on microsurgical anatomy and technique. Design A retrosigmoid craniectomy is performed in the lateral decubitus position. The dura is opened and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is released from the cisterna magna and cerebellopontine cistern. Dynamic retraction without rigid retractors is performed. Subarachnoid dissection of the cerebellopontine angle exposes the 7th to 8th nerve complex. A neuromonitoring probe is used with careful inspection of the microsurgical anatomy to identify the facial nerve and the nervus intermedius as they enter the internal auditory meatus. The nervus intermedius is severed. A large vein coursing superiorly across cranial 9th nerve was coagulated and cut. A Teflon pledget is inserted between a small vessel and the 5th nerve. Photographs of the region are borrowed from Dr. Rhoton's laboratory to illustrate the microsurgical anatomy. Participants The senior author performed the surgery. The video was edited by Drs. V.N. and J.B. Outcome Measures Outcome was assessed by postoperative neurological function. Results The nervus intermedius was successfully cut and the 5th and 9th nerves were decompressed. The patient's pain resolved after surgery and at later follow-up. Conclusions Understanding the microsurgical anatomy of the cerebellopontine angle is necessary to identify the cranial nerves involved in facial pain syndromes. Subarachnoid dissection and meticulous microsurgical techniques are key elements for a successful microvascular decompression.The link to the video can be found at: https://youtu.be/pV5Wip7WusE.

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.

Microvascular Decompression in Patient With Atypical Features of Hemifacial Spasm Secondary to Compression by a Tortuous Vertebrobasilar System

Neurosurgery ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 66 (6) ◽  
pp. E1212-E1212 ◽  
Author(s):  
David H. Perlmutter ◽  
Anthony L. Petraglia ◽  
Richard Barbano ◽  
Jason M. Schwalb
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Botulinum Toxin ◽  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Vertebrobasilar System ◽  
The Face ◽  
Grade 3 ◽  
The Right

Abstract OBJECTIVE We report a case of hemifacial spasm in a patient who had associated hearing loss, numbness throughout the face, tinnitus, and vertigo, all of which occurred when turning his head to the left. To our knowledge, these symptoms have not occurred in this pattern and with a single trigger. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 45-year-old man presented with a 3-year history of right-sided hemifacial spasm initially treated with botulinum toxin. One month before presentation, he had an episode of acute hearing loss in the right ear when turning his head to the left, followed by multiple episodes of transient hearing loss in his right ear, numbness in his right face in all distributions of the trigeminal nerve, tinnitus, and vertigo. He was found to have decreased sensation in nerves V1 to V3 and House-Brackmann grade 3/6 weakness in his right face, despite not having botulinum toxin injections in more than a year. Magnetic resonance imaging/angiography showed an ectatic vertebrobasilar system causing compression of the fifth, seventh, and eighth cranial nerves. INTERVENTION The patient underwent a retromastoid craniotomy and microvascular decompression. Postoperatively, he had complete resolution of his symptoms except for his facial weakness. The benefit has been long-lasting. CONCLUSION Multiple, simultaneous cranial neuropathies from vascular compression are rare, but this case is an example of safe and effective treatment with microvascular decompression with durable results.

scholarly journals Trigeminal Neuralgia due to Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wuilker Knoner Campos ◽  
André Accioly Guasti ◽  
Benjamin Franklin da Silva ◽  
José Antonio Guasti
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Cranial Nerves ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Neurovascular Conflict ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia ◽  
Intracranial Arteries

We presented a case of drug-resistant trigeminal neuralgia attributed to vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia, a rare condition characterized by enlargement, tortuosity, or elongation of intracranial arteries. Dolichoectatic vessels can cause dysfunction of cranial nerves through direct vascular compression. The relationships of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia with the particularities of neurovascular conflict and images findings are discussed.

Trigeminal neuralgia associated with seizure and syncope

1984 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 594-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wishwa N. Kapoor ◽  
Peter J. Jannetta
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
Mechanical Stimulation ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Facial Pain ◽  
Loss Of Consciousness ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Vascular Decompression ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Stimulation Of

✓ A patient with trigeminal neuralgia experienced a generalized seizure and a prolonged syncopal episode. He was found to be asystolic during the syncopal episode. There was no recurrence of loss of consciousness after implantation of a pacemaker. Mechanical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve during craniotomy for microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve resulted in bradycardia. Since vascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve, there has been no recurrent facial pain, and no further syncope, seizures, or bradycardia. Syncope and seizures have not been previously reported in association with trigeminal neuralgia, although they are well described with glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

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