Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A prospective study of microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia

  • Clinical Articles
  • Published:
Acta Neurochirurgica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

In a prospective study of 25 patients with trigeminal neuralgia (TN), we examined the results of microvascular decompression (MVD). Initial pain relief was complete in 22 patients and partial in one. There were two primary failures. After a median observation time of 38 months. 20 of the 22 patients still were completely free of pain, and one patient reported then 50% pain relief. A vascular compression of the trigeminal root was found intra-operatively in 23 patients. No serious complications occurred. Minor but bothersome dyaesthesias were reported by two patients (8%). The results were satisfactory when compared to other MVD studies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Adams CBT (1989) Microvascular compression: an alternative view and hypothesis. J Neurosurg 57: 1–12

    Google Scholar 

  2. Aksik I (1993) Microneural decompression operations in the treatment of some forms of cranial rhizopathy. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 125: 64–74

    Google Scholar 

  3. Barba D, Alksne JF (1984) Success of microvascular decompression with and without prior surgical therapy for trigeminal neuralgia. J Neurosurg 60: 104–107

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Barker FG, Jannetta PJ, Jho H-D, Bissonette D (1994) Microvascular decompression for typical trigeminal neuralgia: a 20-year experience. J Neurosurg 80: 392A-393A

    Google Scholar 

  5. Dandy WE (1934) Concerning the cause of trigeminal neuralgia. Am J Surg 24: 447–455

    Google Scholar 

  6. Eide PK, Jørum E, Stubhaug A, Bremnes J, Breivik H (1994) Relief of postherpetic neuralgia with the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor antagonist ketamine. A double-blind, cross-over comparison with morphine and placebo. Pain 58: 347–354

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Furuya Y, Ryu H, Uemura Ket al (1992) MRI of intracranial neurovascular compression. J Comput Assist Tomogr 16: 503–505

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Gardner WJ, Miklos MV (1959) Response of trigeminal neuralgia to “decompression” of sensory root. JAMA 170: 1773–1776

    Google Scholar 

  9. Jannetta PJ (1990) Microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve root entry zone. Theoretical considerations, operative anatomy, surgical technique, and results. In: Rovit RL, Murali R, Jannetta PJ (eds) Trigeminal neuralgia. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore, pp 201–222

    Google Scholar 

  10. Klun B (1992) Microvascular decompression and partial sensory rhizotomy in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: personal experience with 220 patients. Neurosurgery 30: 49–52

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Magnus V (1927) Aneurysm of the internal carotid artery. JAMA 88: 1712–1713

    Google Scholar 

  12. Meaney JFM, Eldridge PR, Dunn LTet al (1995) Demonstration of neurovascular compression in trigeminal neuralgia with magnetic resonance imaging. Comparison with surgical findings in 52 consecutive patients. J Neurosurg 83: 799–805

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Pollack IF, Jannetta PJ, Bissonette DJ (1988) Bilateral trigeminal neuralgia: a 14-year experience with microvascular decompression. J Neurosurg 68: 559–565

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Sindou M, Mertens Å (1993) Microsurgical vascular decompression (MVD) in trigeminal and glosso-vago-pharyngeal neuralgias. A twenty year experience. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 58: 168–170

    Google Scholar 

  15. Slettebø H, Hirschberg H, Lindegaard K-F (1993) Long-term results after percutaneous retrogasserian glycerol rhizotomy in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 122: 231–235

    Google Scholar 

  16. Sun T, Saito S, Nakai O, Ando T (1994) Long-term results of microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia with reference to probability of recurrence. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 126: 144–148

    Google Scholar 

  17. Sweet WH, Polletti CE (1985) Problems with retrogasserian glycerol in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Appl Neurophysiol 48: 252–257

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Sweet WH (1991) Trigeminal neuralgia: problems as to cause and consequent conclusions regarding treatment. In: Wilkins RH, Rengachary SS (eds) Neurosurgery update II. Vascular, spinal, pediatric, and functional neurosurgery. McGraw-Hill, New York, pp 366–372

    Google Scholar 

  19. Szapiro J, Sindou M, Szapiro J (1985) Prognostic factors in microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia. Neurosurgery 17: 920–928

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Taha JM, Tew JM (1996) Comparison of surgical treatments for trigeminal neuralgia: reevaluation of radiofrequency rhizotomy. Neurosurgery 38: 865–871

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Umehara F, Kamishima K, Kashio Net al (1995) Magnetic resonance tomographic angiography: diagnostic value in trigeminal neuralgia. Neuroradiology 37: 353–355

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosurgery, The National Hospital, University of Oslo, Norway

    H. Slettebø M.D.

  2. Department of Neurosurgery, Ullevål Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    P. K. Eide

Authors
  1. H. Slettebø M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. P. K. Eide
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Slettebø, H., Eide, P.K. A prospective study of microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia. Acta neurochir 139, 421–425 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01808878

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01808878

Keywords

Search

Navigation