Articles: microvascular-decompression-surgery.
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Classical trigeminal neuralgia (cTN) is rarely caused by ectatic vertebrobasilar artery compression of the trigeminal nerve. These patients present a surgical challenge and often are not considered for microvascular decompression (MVD) due to assumed risk. ⋯ Patients with cTN due to a dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar artery compression present a unique surgical challenge. Mobilizing the vessel can be difficult because it may be firm from atherosclerosis, maintaining its separation from the nerve is similarly difficult, and manipulating the vessel can be dangerous because of its brainstem perforators. Our case series provides some evidence to support the safety and efficacy of MVD for patients with vertebrobasilar ectasia for those that major surgery is not contraindicated.
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Microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm is performed at the root exit zone. More proximal segments of the facial nerve, defined as the root emerging zone (REmZ), may also be susceptible to neurovascular compression. Consequently, detailed knowledge of the microanatomy around facial nerve fibers at the pontomedullary junction is essential for consistent success of microvascular decompression. ⋯ Facial nerve fibers are susceptible to vascular compression on emerging onto the deep brainstem surface at the pontomedullary sulcus. The key procedure in microvascular decompression is full dissection of the lower cranial nerves down to the brainstem origin to explore both the root exit zone and the REmZ.
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Microvascular decompression (MVD) has become widely accepted as first-line therapy for hemifacial spasm. However, not all patients are candidates for the procedure, and some surgeons ignore arterioles that represent the actual underlying cause of the condition. The aim of this study was to address the role of involved arterioles in management of MVD in patients with hemifacial spasm. ⋯ The main reason for failed MVD is that the involved offending vessel is not correctly identified. Intraoperative abnormal muscle response and Z-L response are good supplementary measures to identify involved arterioles. In addition, not isolating or coagulating the involved arterioles increases the risk associated with the operation.
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Good knowledge of the anatomy of veins is of crucial importance for the functional surgery of cranial nerve (CN) disorders, especially microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia (TN), hemifacial spasm (HFS), and vagoglossopharyngeal neuralgia (VGPN). Although controversial, veins may be involved in neurovascular conflicts and may constitute dangerous obstacles to access to the CNs. With the aim of estimating the implications of veins in those diseases and evaluating the linked surgical difficulties, we carried out a review of the literature from 2000 to the end of February 2018. ⋯ The percentages of a venous conflict alone were calculated at 10.8% for TN, 0.1% for HFS, and 2.9% for VGPN. We review the complications considered in relation with venous sacrifices. Precautions to minimize these complications are given.
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Classic trigeminal neuralgia (TN) involves sharp, shooting pain in any trigeminal nerve distribution, whereas atypical TN presents with constant aching, numbness, or burning that can appear with classic features, leading to a mixed presentation. Microvascular decompression (MVD) is an effective treatment for classic TN, but its utility in treating mixed TN has been less well studied. ⋯ Patients with mixed TN suffer from both classic and atypical TN symptoms. Following MVD, 91.8% of our patients with mixed TN reported partial or complete pain relief, including improvement of atypical pain, in the immediate postoperative stage, compared with 93% of those with classic TN. Recurrence eventually developed in 60.3% of the patients with mixed TN.