Effect analysis of microvascular decompression for patients with trigeminal neuralgia caused by vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia / 中国脑血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To preliminarily discuss the safety and efficacy of microvascular decompression for patients with trigeminal neuralgia caused by vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD).Methods From January 2013 to August 2016,16 patients with trigeminal neuralgia caused by vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery,Xuanwu Hospital,Capital Medical University were analyzed retrospectively.All patients received preoperative magnetic resonance angiography examination.The anatomical relationship between the trigeminal nerves and the peripheral vessels was identified.Microvascular decompression was conducted via suboccipital retrosigmoid approach.They were followed up for 12-52 months after procedure.The trigeminal neuralgia score standard of Barrow Neurological Institute was used to evaluate the degree of pain of the patients before procedure,after procedure,and during the follow-up period.Results Of the 16 patients,the pain disappeared immediately in 15 after procedure,and the pain was not obviously relieved in 1 case after procedure,and the pain disappeared gradually at 6 months after procedure.One patient had hearing loss after operation compared with pre-operation.The follow-up time ranged from 12 months to 52 months.Three patients had recurrent pain at 6,12,and 36 months,respectively after procedure.Conclusion Microvascular decompression treatment of trigeminal neuralgia caused by VBD has better safety and surgical efficacy,but there was a certain pain recurrence rate,which needed further research.