scholarly journals Long-Term Retrospective Analysis of Microvascular Decompression in Patients With Recurrent Trigeminal Neuralgia

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiayu Liu ◽  
Guangyong Wu ◽  
Hui Xiang ◽  
Ruen Liu ◽  
Fang Li ◽  
...  

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with recurrent trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and the experience of microvascular decompression (MVD) in the treatment of such patients.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data, imaging examination results, surgical methods, and treatment efficacies in 127 patients with recurrent typical TN from January 2005 to December 2014.Results: The age of the recurrent group was higher than that of the non-recurrent group (p < 0.05). The duration of pain before the first MVD procedure was longer in the recurrent group than in the non-recurrent group (p < 0.05). Patients in the recurrent group were more likely to have compression of the trigeminal nerve by the vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) or multiple vessels than patients in the non-recurrent group (p < 0.05). A Kaplan–Meier curve showed a median pain-free survival of 12 months after the first MVD procedure. The severity of pain (preoperative visual analog scale [VAS] score) in patients with recurrence was lower than that in patients with first-onset TN (p < 0.05). Vessel compression, Teflon compression or granuloma and arachnoid adhesion were considered the main causes of recurrence. Postoperative Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) scores in the redo MVD group were excellent (T = 2) for 69 patients (53.33%) and good (T = 3) for 46 patients (36.22%). The postoperative follow-up was 63–167 months (105.92 ± 25.66). During the follow-up, no recurrence was noted. All complications were cured or improved.Conclusions: Microvascular decompression (MVD) is an effective surgical method for the treatment of TN. For recurrent patients, reoperation can achieve good results.

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-405
Author(s):  
Andrew R Pines ◽  
Richard J Butterfield ◽  
Evelyn L Turcotte ◽  
Jose O Garcia ◽  
Noel De Lucia ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) refractory to medical management is often treated with microvascular decompression (MVD) involving the intracranial placement of Teflon. The placement of Teflon is an effective treatment, but does apply distributed pressure to the nerve and has been associated with pain recurrence. OBJECTIVE To report the rate of postoperative pain recurrence in TN patients who underwent MVD surgery using a transposition technique with fibrin glue without Teflon. METHODS Patients were eligible for our study if they were diagnosed with TN, did not have multiple sclerosis, and had an offending vessel that was identified and transposed with fibrin glue at our institution. All eligible patients were given a follow-up survey. We used a Kaplan-Meier (KM) model to estimate overall pain recurrence. RESULTS A total of 102 patients met inclusion criteria, of which 85 (83%) responded to our survey. Overall, 76 (89.4%) participants responded as having no pain recurrence. Approximately 1-yr pain-free KM estimates were 94.1% (n = 83), 5-yr pain-free KM estimates were 94.1% (n = 53), and 10-yr pain-free KM estimates were 83.0% (n = 23). CONCLUSION Treatment for TN with an MVD transposition technique using fibrin glue may avoid some cases of pain recurrence. The percentage of patients in our cohort who remained pain free at a maximum of 17 yr follow-up is on the high end of pain-free rates reported by MVD studies using Teflon. These results indicate that a transposition technique that emphasizes removing any compression near the trigeminal nerve root provides long-term pain-free rates for patients with TN.


2007 ◽  
Vol 107 (6) ◽  
pp. 1144-1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc Sindou ◽  
José Leston ◽  
Evelyne Decullier ◽  
François Chapuis

Object The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of microvascular decompression (MVD) and to identify the factors affecting outcome in patients treated for primary trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Only the cases with a clear-cut neurovascular conflict (vascular contact and/or compression of the root entry zone of the trigeminal nerve) found at surgery and treated with “pure” MVD (decompression of the root without any additional lesioning or cutting of the adjacent rootlets) were retained. Methods The study included 362 patients who were followed up over a period of 1 to 18 years (median follow-up 7.2 years). A Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was generated at 1 and 15 years of follow-up for all of the considered factors. According to Kaplan–Meier analysis, the success rate (defined as pain-free patients without any medication) was 91% at 1 year and estimated to be 73.38% after 15 years of follow-up. Results None of the following patient-related factors played any significant role in prognosis: sex, patient age at surgery, history of systemic hypertension, duration of neuralgia before surgery, or history of failed trigeminal surgery. Patients with atypical neuralgia (a baseline of permanent pain) had the same outcome as those with a typical (purely spasmodic) presentation. In addition, the side and topography of the trigeminal nerve did not play a role, whereas involvement of all three divisions of the nerve had a negative effect on outcome. Concerning anatomical factors, neither the type of the compressive vessel nor its location along or around the root was found to be significant. However, the severity of compression was important—the more severe the degree of compression, the better the outcome (p = 0.002). The authors also found that presence of focal arachnoiditis had a negative influence on outcome (p = 0.002). Conclusions Pure MVD can offer patients affected by a primary TN a 73.38% probability of long-term (15 years) cure of neuralgia. The presence of a clear-cut and marked vascular compression at surgery (and possibly—although not yet reliably—on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging) is the guarantee of a higher than 90% success rate.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 1261-1268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker M. Tronnier ◽  
Dirk Rasche ◽  
Jürgen Hamer ◽  
Anna-Lena Kienle ◽  
Stefan Kunze

Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term outcome of patients after either percutaneous trigeminal rhizotomy or microvascular decompression (MVD) for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia at a single institution. METHODS From 1977 to 1997, 316 radiofrequency lesion procedures and 378 MVDs were performed. Questionnaires were sent to all patients who were alive in 1981, 1982, 1992, and 1998. For all other patients, interviews were conducted with their relatives and general practitioners. A retrospective comparative analysis was performed with Kaplan-Meier probability curves as of the latest follow-up date. In addition, 80 patients who underwent MVD were examined postoperatively with quantitative sensory measurements by use of von Frey hairs. RESULTS Two hundred twenty-five patients who underwent MVD and 206 patients who underwent radiofrequency could be analyzed retrospectively in detail. Overall, there was a 50% risk for recurrence of pain 2 years after percutaneous radiofrequency rhizotomy. Conversely, 64% of patients who underwent MVD remained completely pain free 20 years postoperatively. Patients without sensory impairment after MVD were pain free significantly longer than patients who experienced postoperative hypesthesia or partial rhizotomy. CONCLUSION Because it is curative and nondestructive, MVD is considered the treatment of choice for trigeminal neuralgia in otherwise healthy people. In our study, it proved to be a more effective and long-lasting procedure for patients with typical trigeminal neuralgia than radiofrequency rhizotomy. Patients without postoperative sensory deficit remained pain free significantly longer, which is a strong argument against the “trauma” hypothesis of this procedure.


2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serdar Kabatas ◽  
Aykut Karasu ◽  
Erdinc Civelek ◽  
Akin P. Sabanci ◽  
Kemal T. Hepgul ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
CM Honey ◽  
AM Kaufmann

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.


2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth C. Tyler-Kabara ◽  
Amin B. Kassam ◽  
Michael H. Horowitz ◽  
Louise Urgo ◽  
Constantinos Hadjipanayis ◽  
...  

Object. Microvascular decompression (MVD) has become one of the primary treatments for typical trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Not all patients with facial pain, however, suffer from the typical form of this disease; many patients who present for surgical intervention actually have atypical TN. The authors compare the results of MVD performed for typical and atypical TN at their institution. Methods. The results of 2675 MVDs in 2264 patients were reviewed using information obtained from the department database. The authors examined immediate postoperative relief in 2003 patients with typical and 672 with atypical TN, and long-term follow-up results in patients for whom more than 5 years of follow-up data were available (969 with typical and 219 with atypical TN). Outcomes were divided into three categories: excellent, pain relief without medication; good, mild or intermittent pain controlled with low-dose medication; and poor, no or poor pain relief with large amounts of medication. The results for typical and atypical TN were compared and patient history and pain characteristics were evaluated for possible predictive factors. Conclusions. In this study, MVD for typical TN resulted in complete postoperative pain relief in 80% of patients, compared with 47% with complete relief in those with atypical TN. Significant pain relief was achieved after 97% of MVDs in patients with typical TN and after 87% of these procedures for atypical TN. When patients were followed for more than 5 years, the long-term pain relief after MVD for those with typical TN was excellent in 73% and good in an additional 7%, for an overall significant pain relief in 80% of patients. In contrast, following MVD for atypical TN, the long-term results were excellent in only 35% of cases and good in an additional 16%, for overall significant pain relief in only 51%. Memorable onset and trigger points were predictive of better postoperative pain relief in both atypical and typical TN. Preoperative sensory loss was a negative predictor for good long-term results following MVD for atypical TN.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Yu ◽  
Jia Yin ◽  
Pei-gang Lu ◽  
Zhen-yu Zhao ◽  
Yong-qiang Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) due to vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is a rare disease that can be challenging to treat. The objectives of this study are to investigate the characteristics of patients with TN due to VBD and to analyze the efficacy of microvascular decompression (MVD) by the interposition method for treatment of the condition. From 2010 till 2020, the data of 30 patients with TN due to VBD who were treated with MVD by the interposition method were analyzed retrospectively. The characteristics of the patients were compared with those of patients with non-VBD TN (n = 815). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed to determine pain-free survival. The 30 patients (21 males, 9 females; mean age, 63.03 years) accounted for 3.55% of all patients with TN during the study period. In 30 patients, the offending vessel was the basilar artery (BA) in 1 patient, the vertebral artery (VA) in 6 patients, the VA plus the superior cerebellar artery (SCA) in 6 patients, the VA plus the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) in 12 patients, and the VA+SCA+AICA in 5 patients. Compared to non-VBD TN patients, those with TN due to VBD were significantly more likely to be male, to have TN of the left side, and to have hypertension (all P < 0.001). Mean age at surgery (P = 0.057) and symptom duration (P = 0.308) were comparable between the two groups. All 30 patients had immediate relief of facial pain after MVD and could stop medication. There were no postoperative complications. Over mean follow-up of 76.67 months, 3 patients had recurrence. The mean duration of pain-free survival was 70.77 months. In conclusions, TN due to VBD appears to be more likely in males, in those with hypertension, and to involve the left side. The interposition method performed by experienced and skilled neurosurgeons is a safe and effective treatment for TN due to VBD. Further studies are needed to analyze the associated long-term results and the pain recurrence rate among this special population.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Carpenter ◽  
James K Liu

Abstract INTRODUCTION Microvascular decompression (MVD) is an effective and durable treatment for patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) due to neurovascular compression (NVC). In the absence of NVC, the traditional MVD is less effective in achieving long-term pain relief. Internal neurolysis at the root entry zone (REZ) of the trigeminal nerve has been described in the literature; however, there are few reports of long-term outcome after this procedure. Furthermore, this is the first study to combine this procedure with additional partial neurectomy. METHODS This is a retrospective review of the senior author's patients with TN who underwent retrosigmoid craniectomy for MVD with internal neurolysis and partial neurectomy. Primary indications were patients with TN and no evidence of NVC intraoperatively. A total of 9 patients were included in the analysis. Three cases were of recurrent TN. The technique was performed with an 11-blade or arachnoid knife to open the perineurium in a longitudinal fashion at the REZ. A disc dissector was used to comb the fascicles along the longitudinal course, and a partial neurectomy was performed with a microscissors to make three selective cuts into the fascicles at the REZ. Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) facial pain and numbness scales were used as postoperative assessment. RESULTS At median follow up of 12 mo (range: 2 to 34), 8 of 9 patients (89%) had a BNI-pain score of I (no trigeminal pain, no medications). Two of nine patients (22%) had a BNI-numbness score of I (no numbness); seven (78%) had a BNI-numbness score of II (mild facial numbness that is not bothersome). CONCLUSION Internal neurolysis with partial neurectomy appears to be an effective and potentially durable treatment option for patients with TN (primary or recurrent) without NVC. Larger series with longer follow-up is indicated to further evaluate the utility of this procedure.


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