Partial sensory trigeminal rhizotomy at the pons for trigeminal neuralgia

1993 ◽  
Vol 79 (5) ◽  
pp. 680-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob N. Young ◽  
Robert H. Wilkins
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Neurovascular Compression ◽  
Recurrent Pain ◽  
Preoperative Pain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Additional Surgery

✓ Microvascular decompression is preferred among open procedures for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. However, in some cases the decompression cannot be performed, either because no significant vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve is found at surgery or because a patient's vascular anatomy makes it unsafe. Partial sensory rhizotomy is a commonly used alternative in these instances. The outcome after partial sensory rhizotomy was reviewed retrospectively in 83 patients with an average follow-up period of 72 months. Sixty-four (77%) of these patients had no evidence of vascular contact at operation. The remaining 19 patients (23%) had vascular structures in proximity to the trigeminal nerve but still underwent partial sensory rhizotomy in place of or in addition to microvascular decompression either because the offending vessel could not be moved adequately (11 cases) or because the vascular contact was considered insignificant (eight cases). Outcome was classified as: excellent if there was no trigeminal neuralgia postoperatively; good if pain persisted or recurred but was less severe than preoperatively; and poor if persistent or recurrent pain was equal to or greater than the preoperative pain in severity and was refractory to medication, or was severe enough to require additional surgery. The outcome was excellent in 40 patients (48%), good in 18 (22%), and poor in 25 (30%); follow-up durations were similar for the three outcome categories. The failure rate was 17% for the 1st year and averaged 2.6% each year thereafter. Two variables were predictive of a poor outcome: prior surgery and lack of preoperative involvement of the third trigeminal division. Major complications occurred in 4% of cases and minor complications in 11%. The authors conclude that partial sensory rhizotomy is a safe and effective alternative to microvascular decompression when neurovascular compression is not identified at operation or when microvascular decompression cannot be performed for technical reasons.

Demonstration of neurovascular compression in trigeminal neuralgia with magnetic resonance imaging

1995 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 799-805 ◽  
Author(s):  
James F. M. Meaney ◽  
Paul R. Eldridge ◽  
Lawrence T. Dunn ◽  
Thomas E. Nixon ◽  
Graham H. Whitehouse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Neurovascular Compression ◽  
Posterior Fossa Surgery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Until recently, the inability to demonstrate neurovascular compression of the trigeminal nerve preoperatively resulted in surgery being offered only in cases of severe trigeminal neuralgia (TGN), frequently after a prolonged trial of medical treatment and following less invasive procedures, despite the fact that posterior fossa microvascular decompression gives long-term pain relief in 80% to 90% of cases. To assess whether vascular compression of the nerve could be demonstrated preoperatively, high definition magnetic resonance tomographic angiography (MRTA) was performed in 50 consecutive patients, five of whom had bilateral TGN, prior to posterior fossa surgery. The imaging results were compared with the operative findings in all patients, including two patients who underwent bilateral exploration. Vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve was identified in 42 of 45 patients with unilateral symptoms and on both sides in four patients with bilateral TGN. In the last patient with bilateral TGN, neurovascular compression was identified on one side, and on the other side the compressing superior cerebellar artery was separated from the nerve by a sponge placed during previous surgery. There was full agreement regarding the presence or absence of neurovascular compression demonstrated by MRTA in 50 of 52 explorations, but MRTA misclassified four vessels compressing the trigeminal nerve as arteries rather than veins. In two cases, there was disagreement between the surgical and MRTA findings. In the first of these cases, surgery revealed distortion of the nerve at the pons by a vein that MRTA had predicted to lie 6 mm remote from this point. In the second patient, venous compression was missed; however, this patient was investigated early in the series and did not have gadolinium-enhanced imaging. In nine cases, MRTA correctly identified neurovascular compression of the trigeminal nerve by two arteries. Moreover, MRTA successfully guided surgical reexploration in one patient in whom a compressing vessel was missed during earlier surgery and also prompted exploration of the posterior fossa in two patients with multiple sclerosis and one patient with Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome, in whom neurovascular compression was identified preoperatively. It is concluded that MRTA is an extremely sensitive and specific method for demonstrating vascular compression in TGN. As a result, open surgical procedures can be recommended with confidence, and microvascular decompression is now the treatment of choice for TGN at the authors' unit. They propose MRTA as the definitive investigation in such patients in whom surgery is contemplated.

Microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia caused by vertebrobasilar compression

1994 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark E. Linskey ◽  
Hae Dong Jho ◽  
Peter J. Jannetta
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Sensory Loss ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Root Section ◽  
Vascular Decompression ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Thirty-one (2%) of 1404 consecutive patients with typical trigeminal neuralgia who underwent microvascular decompression between 1972 and 1993 were found to have vascular compression by the vertebral artery (VA) or the basilar artery (BA). Compared to the remaining 1373 patients, this subgroup was older (mean age 62 vs. 55 years, p < 0.001), was predominantly male (68% vs. 39%, p < 0.002), demonstrated left-sided predominance (65% vs. 39%, p < 0.002), was more likely to be hypertensive (65% vs. 18%, p < 0.001), and was more likely to have ipsilateral hemifacial spasm (16% vs. 0.6%, p < 0.001). The trigeminal nerve was compressed by the VA in 18 cases (the VA alone in three and the VA plus other vessels in 15), the BA in 12 cases (the BA alone in four and the BA plus other vessels in eight), and the vertebrobasilar junction in one case. Twenty-nine of the 31 patients underwent vascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve, one had a complete trigeminal root section, and one underwent partial root section with vascular decompression of the remaining nerve. All 31 patients were pain-free, off medication immediately after surgery, and this pain-free, medication-free status was maintained at 1 year after surgery in 96% of cases, at 3 years in 92%, and at 10 years in 86%, based on life-table analysis. Minor trigeminal hypesthesia/hypalgesia was present preoperatively in 52%. New or worsened minor hypesthesia/hypalgesia developed in 41% of patients, while transient diplopia as well as hearing loss developed in 23% and 13% in the overall series, respectively. No patient developed major trigeminal sensory loss or masseter weakness after vascular decompression alone. There was no operative mortality. Vascular decompression is an effective treatment for patients with trigeminal neuralgia who have vertebrobasilar compression of the trigeminal nerve. Patients should be warned that decompression of a tortuous vertebrobasilar system carries a higher risk of mild trigeminal dysfunction, diplopia, and hearing loss than standard microvascular decompression.

Outcomes of Gamma Knife surgery for trigeminal neuralgia secondary to vertebrobasilar ectasia

2012 ◽  
Vol 116 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyung-Jae Park ◽  
Douglas Kondziolka ◽  
Hideyuki Kano ◽  
Oren Berkowitz ◽  
Safee Faraz Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
Pain Control ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Gamma Knife Surgery ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Recurrent Pain

Object Vertebrobasilar ectasia (VBE) is an unusual cause of trigeminal neuralgia (TN). The surgical options for patients with medically refractory pain include percutaneous or microsurgical rhizotomy and microvascular decompression (MVD). All such procedures can be technically challenging. This report evaluates the response to a minimally invasive procedure, Gamma Knife surgery (GKS), in patients with TN associated with severe vascular compression caused by VBE. Methods Twenty patients underwent GKS for medically refractory TN associated with VBE. The median patient age was 74 years (range 48–95 years). Prior surgical procedures had failed in 11 patients (55%). In 9 patients (45%), GKS was the first procedure they had undergone. The median target dose for GKS was 80 Gy (range 75–85 Gy). The median follow-up was 29 months (range 8–123 months) after GKS. The treatment outcomes were compared with 80 case-matched controls who underwent GKS for TN not associated with VBE. Results Intraoperative MR imaging or CT scanning revealed VBE that deformed the brainstem in 50% of patients. The trigeminal nerve was displaced in cephalad or lateral planes in 60%. In 4 patients (20%), the authors could identify only the distal cisternal component of the trigeminal nerve as it entered into the Meckel cave. After GKS, 15 patients (75%) achieved initial pain relief that was adequate or better, with or without medication (Barrow Neurological Institute [BNI] pain scale, Grades I–IIIb). The median time until pain relief was 5 weeks (range 1 day–6 months). Twelve patients (60%) with initial pain relief reported recurrent pain between 3 and 43 months after GKS (median 12 months). Pain relief was maintained in 53% at 1 year, 38% at 2 years, and 10% at 5 years. Some degree of facial sensory dysfunction occurred in 10% of patients. Eventually, 14 (70%) of the 20 patients underwent an additional surgical procedure including repeat GKS, percutaneous procedure, or MVD at a median of 14 months (range 5–50 months) after the initial GKS. At the last follow-up, 15 patients (75%) had satisfactory pain control (BNI Grades I–IIIb), but 5 patients (25%) continued to have unsatisfactory pain control (BNI Grade IV or V). Compared with patients without VBE, patients with VBE were much less likely to have initial (p = 0.025) or lasting (p = 0.006) pain relief. Conclusions Pain control rates of GKS in patients with TN associated with VBE were inferior to those of patients without VBE. Multimodality surgical or medical management strategies were required in most patients with VBE.

Evaluation of microvascular decompression and partial sensory rhizotomy in 252 cases of trigeminal neuralgia

1989 ◽  
Vol 71 (3) ◽  
pp. 359-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua B. Bederson ◽  
Charles B. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Posterior Fossa ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Trigeminal System ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Duration Of Symptoms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Mean

✓ Outcome after 252 posterior fossa explorations for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia was determined by a retrospective review. Patients with distortion of the fifth nerve root caused by extrinsic vascular compression underwent microvascular decompression, those with no compression underwent partial sensory rhizotomy, and those with vascular contact but no distortion of the nerve root underwent decompression and rhizotomy. The mean follow-up period was 5.1 years. An excellent (75%) or good (8%) clinical outcome was achieved in 208 patients; 13 patients (5%) experienced little or no pain relief. Thirty-one patients (12%) suffered recurrent trigeminal neuralgia an average of 1.9 pain-free years after operation; recurrence continued at a rate of approximately 2% per year thereafter. Reoperation for recurrent or persistent pain provided excellent or good results in 85% of reoperated patients, but partial sensory rhizotomy was required in most of these patients. Outcome was affected by previous surgical procedures. A previous percutaneous radiofrequency lesion was associated with a significantly greater incidence of fifth nerve complications and a worse outcome after posterior fossa exploration. Because of this finding, the authors recommend that percutaneous radiofrequency rhizolysis be reserved for patients who have failed posterior fossa exploration or who are not candidates for surgery. Patients with compressive nerve root distortion and a short duration of symptoms before surgery had a significantly better outcome than patients with a longer duration of symptoms. In contrast, there was no relationship between the duration of symptoms and outcome of patients without nerve root distortion. Vascular decompression may cause dysfunction of the trigeminal system in tic douloureux, but in patients who remain untreated for long periods an intrinsic abnormality develops that may perpetuate pain even after microvascular decompression. Posterior fossa exploration is recommended as the procedure of choice for patients with trigeminal neuralgia who are surgical candidates.

Targeting the cranial nerve: microradiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia with CISS and 3D-Flash MR imaging sequences

2005 ◽  
Vol 102 ◽  
pp. 107-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasilios A. Zerris ◽  
Georg C. Noren ◽  
William A. Shucart ◽  
Jeff Rogg ◽  
Gerhard M. Friehs
Keyword(s):  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
Cranial Nerve ◽  
Fusion Imaging ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
History Of ◽  
Fine Print

Object.The authors undertook a study to identify magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques that can be used reliably during gamma knife surgery (GKS) to identify the trigeminal nerve, surrounding vasculature, and areas of compression.Methods.Preoperative visualization of the trigeminal nerve and surrounding vasculature as well as targeting the area of vascular compression may increase the effectiveness of GKS for trigeminal neuralgia. During the past years our gamma knife centers have researched different MR imaging sequences with regard to their ability to visualize cranial nerves and vascular structures. Constructive interference in steady-state (CISS) fusion imaging with three-dimensional gradient echo sequences (3D-Flash) was found to be of greatest value in the authors' 25 most recent patients.In 24 (96%) out of the 25 patients, the fifth cranial nerve, surrounding vessels, and areas of compression could be reliably identified using CISS/3D-Flash. The MR images were acceptable despite patients' history of microvascular decompression, radiofrequency (RF) ablation, or concomitant disease. In one of 25 patients with a history of multiple RF lesions, the visualization was inadequate due to severe trigeminal nerve atrophy.Conclusions.The CISS/3D-Flash fusion imaging has become the preferred imaging method at the authors' institutions during GKS for trigeminal neuralgia. It affords the best visualization of the trigeminal nerve, surrounding vasculature, and the precise location of vascular compression.

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA AND VASCULAR COMPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH TRIGEMINAL SCHWANNOMAS

Neurosurgery ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. E974-E975 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan P. Miller ◽  
Feridun Acar ◽  
Kim J. Burchiel
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Neurovascular Compression ◽  
Intracranial Tumors ◽  
Resonance Imaging

Abstract OBJECTIVE Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is often associated with neurovascular compression. However, intracranial tumors are occasionally observed, particularly when symptoms are atypical. We describe three patients with Type-1 TN and trigeminal schwannoma diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging, with concomitant arterial compression of the trigeminal nerve. CLINICAL PRESENTATION All three patients had Type-1 TN with spontaneous onset, paroxysm-triggered pain, and response to antiepileptic medication. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans demonstrated an ipsilateral enhancing perineural mass consistent with a schwannoma. Two of the three patients had previously undergone gamma knife radiosurgery without improvement. Subsequent high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging in all three patients revealed obvious compression of the trigeminal nerve by an arterial structure. INTERVENTION Two patients underwent retrosigmoid craniectomy followed by microvascular decompression and remain pain-free. One patient elected not to pursue surgical intervention. CONCLUSION Although intracranial tumors are occasionally observed in patients with TN, neurovascular compression must still be considered as an etiology, especially if typical TN symptoms are reported.

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.

Aseptic meningitis caused by Teflon implantation for microvascular decompression

1999 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslav P. Bobek ◽  
Oren Sagher
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Aseptic Meningitis ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Initial Surgery ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors present the case of a 47-year-old man who, after undergoing microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia, experienced symptomatic pain relief but developed prolonged aseptic meningitis. This case is unusual in that the patient remained dependent on steroid medications for nearly 5 months following the initial surgery and the aseptic meningitis did not resolve until after surgical removal of the Teflon used to pad the trigeminal nerve. The pathophysiological characteristics of the body's reaction to implanted Teflon are discussed along with the rationale for removing this substance in cases of prolonged intractable aseptic meningitis.

scholarly journals C.07 Trigeminal neuralgia due to dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar artery compression: a 20 year experience

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (S2) ◽  
pp. S14-S14
Author(s):  
CM Honey ◽  
AM Kaufmann
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Senior Author ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Hospital Length Of Stay ◽  
Case Volume ◽  
Average Hospital ◽  
Vertebrobasilar Artery

Background: Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) is rarely caused by a dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar artery (eVB) compression of the trigeminal nerve. These patients present a surgical challenge and are often not considered for microvascular decompression (MVD) due to assumed risk. We present our experience demonstrating the technique and outcomes of MVD in these patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients who were surgically treated by the senior author between 1997 and 2016 with an admitting diagnosis of TN was performed. Patients with pre-operative neuroimaging demonstrating eVB compression of their trigeminal nerve root were included. Results: During the 20-year review, 552 patients underwent microvascular decompression for TN and 13 (2.4%) had dolichoectactic vertebrobasilar compressions (10 male, 3 female). The average hospital length of stay was 2.8 days (Range 2-7) with no major complications. At final follow-up (>2 years): 7 had no pain with no medications (78%), 2 had persistent pain (22%) – one of which underwent a successful glycerol rhizotomy at 8 months, 2 were lost to follow-up, and 2 had surgery within 2 years. Conclusions: Microvascular Decompression for Trigeminal Neuralgia caused by a dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar artery can be performed with a high rate of safety and success in the setting of a high case volume centre.

Gamma Knife radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia: the impact of magnetic resonance imaging–detected vascular impingement of the affected nerve

2010 ◽  
Vol 113 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason P. Sheehan ◽  
Dibyendu Kumar Ray ◽  
Stephen Monteith ◽  
Chun Po Yen ◽  
James Lesnick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Pain Intensity Score ◽  
The Impact

Object Trigeminal neuralgia is believed to be related to vascular compression of the affected nerve. Radiosurgery has been shown to be reasonably effective for treatment of medically refractory trigeminal neuralgia. This study explores the rate of occurrence of MR imaging–demonstrated vascular impingement of the affected nerve and the extent to which vascular impingement affects pain relief in a population of trigeminal neuralgia patients undergoing Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS). Methods The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 106 cases involving patients treated for typical trigeminal neuralgia using GKRS. Patients with or without single-vessel impingement on CISS MR imaging sequences and with no previous surgery were included in the study. Pain relief was assessed according to the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain intensity score at the last follow-up. Degree of impingement, nerve diameter preand post-impingement, isocenter placement, and dose to the point of maximum impingement were evaluated in relation to the improvement of BNI score. Results The overall median follow-up period was 31 months. Overall, a BNI pain score of 1 was achieved in 59.4% of patients at last follow-up. Vessel impingement was seen in 63 patients (59%). There was no significant difference in pain relief between those with and without vascular impingement following GKRS (p > 0.05). In those with vascular impingement on MR imaging, the median fraction of vessel impingement was 0.3 (range 0.04–0.59). The median dose to the site of maximum impingement was 42 Gy (range 2.9–79 Gy). Increased dose (p = 0.019) and closer proximity of the isocenter to the site of maximum vessel impingement (p = 0.012) correlated in a statistically significant fashion with improved BNI scores in those demonstrating vascular impingement on the GKRS planning MR imaging Conclusions Vascular impingement of the affected nerve was seen in the majority of patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Overall pain relief following GKRS was comparable in those with and without evidence of vascular compression on MR imaging. In subgroup analysis of those with MR imaging evidence of vessel impingement of the affected trigeminal nerve, pain relief correlated with a higher dose to the point of contact between the impinging vessel and the trigeminal nerve. Such a finding may point to vascular changes affording at least some degree of relief following GKRS for trigeminal neuralgia.

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