ENDOSCOPIC MICROVASCULAR DECOMPRESSION IN TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA – ADVANTAGES OF FREE HAND TECHNIQUE

Dr. Santhana Krishnan. A. G

Abstract


INTRODUCTION: Trigeminal neuralgia is one of the most painful diseases known to man. Classical trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by
stereotyped attacks of intense pain, of sharp or stabbing quality and can be provoked by trigger factors or trigger areas. It is widely accepted that a
neurovascular contact in the cisternal segment of the trigeminal nerve is the primary cause of classical trigeminal neuralgia. Microvascular
decompression (MVD) of the trigeminal nerve is a recognised treatment for trigeminal neuralgia, due to vascular compression. The
neuroendoscope is not only a complementary tool but can totally replace operating microscope in microvascular decompression. Especially with
the use of free hand technique, endoscopes can be taken in further to look behind the trigeminal nerve and also above and below. This amplifies the
chance of identifying all the NVCs in a patient and hence reduces the recurrence rate.
OBJECTIVES: To establish the usefulness of neuroendoscopes in CP angle surgery with special focus on microvascular decompression for
trigeminal neuralgias using free hand technique.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study deals with a purely endoscopic MVD of the trigeminal nerve using free hand technique through the
retrosigmoid route in 50 patients who presented with trigeminal neuralgia from Jan 2015 to April 2019.
RESULTS : Out of a total of 50 patients studied who underwent E-MVD , 48 had identifiable NVCs of which 3 had veins only ,2 had multiple
arteries and veins and the rest had only arterial NVCs. Amongst the arterial alone group , 4 were due to AICA ,3 were due to AICA and branches of
SCA, rest 36 were due to SCA or its branches.
CONCLUSION: Use of neuroendoscopes allows one to identify all neurovascular conflicts effectively, even more so when one employs the free
hand technique. Hence MVD can be accomplished in all the cases with less chance for recurrence , at the same time with very minimal morbidity
and no mortalities


Keywords


endoscopic microvascular decompression ,neurovascular conflicts , neuroendoscope, root entry zone, trigeminal neuralgia.

Full Text:

PDF

References


Zakrzewska JM. Diagnosis and differential diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia. Clin J Pain 2002;18:14-21

Dandy WE. Concerning the cause of trigeminal neuralgia. Am J Surg 1934;24:44795.

.Gardner WJ, Miklos MV. Response of trigeminal neuralgia to decompression of sensory root: discussion of cause of trigeminal neuralgia. JAMA 1959;170:1773-6. 11.

Jannetta PJ. Neurovascular compression in cranial nerve and systemic disease. Ann Surg 1980;192:518-25

McLaughlin MR, Jannetta PJ, Clyde BL, Subach BR, Comey CH, Resnick DK. Microvascular decompression of cranial nerves: lessons learned after 4400 operations. J Neurosurg 1999;90:1-8.

Acerbi F, Broggi M, Gaini SM, Tschabitscher M: Microsurgical endoscopic-assisted retrosigmoid intradural suprameatal approach: anatomical considerations. J Neurosurg Sci 2010; 54: 55–63.

Schroeder HW, Oertel J, Gaab MR: Endoscope-assisted microsurgical resection of epidermoid tumors of the cerebellopontine angle. J Neurosurg 2004; 101: 2 27–232.

Schroeder HW, Hickmann AK, Baldauf J: Endoscope-assisted microsurgical resection of skull base meningiomas. Neurosurg Rev 2011; 34: 441–455. 16 Shahinian HK, Eby JB, Ocon

Kabatas S, Albayrak SB, Cansever T, Hepgul KT: Microvascular decompression as a surgical management for trigeminal neuralgia: A critical review of the literature. Neurol India 57: 134–138, 2009

Kabil MS, Eby JB, Shahinian HK: Endoscopic vascular decompression versus microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve. Minim Invasive Neurosurg 48: 207-212, 2005

Teo C, Nakaji P, Mobbs RJ: Endoscope-assisted microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia: Technical case report. Neurosurgery 59 (4 Suppl 2): ONS E489–ONS E490; discussion ONSE490, 2006

Jarrahy R, Eby JB, Cha ST, Shahinian HK: Fully endoscopic vascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve. Minim Invasive Neurosurg 45: 32-35, 2002

Jarrahy R, Berci G, Shahinian HK: Endoscope-assisted microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 123: 218-223, 2000

Zhu J, Zhong J, Jiao W, Zhou QM, Guan HX, Dou NN, Wang YN, Xia L, Li ST: Via-cerebellar-fissures approach for microvascular decompression of trigeminal nerve. J Craniofac Surg 25:1438-1440, 2014

Setty P, Volkov AA, D’Andrea KP, Pieper DR: Endoscopic vascular decompression for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: Clinical outcomes and technical note. World Neurosurg 81:603-608, 2014

El-Garem HF, Badr-El-Dine M, Talaat AM, Magnan J: Endoscopy as a tool in minimally invasive trigeminal neuralgia surgery. Otol Neurotol 23: 132-135, 2002

Yadav YR, Parihar V, Agarwal M, Sherekar S, Bhatele P: Endoscopic vascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve. Minim Invasive Neurosurg 54: 110-114, 2011

Balansard ChF, Meller R, Bruzzo M, Chays A, Girard N, Magnan J: Trigeminal neuralgia: Results of microsurgical and endoscopic-assisted vascular decompression. Ann Otolaryngol Chir Cervicofac 120: 330–337, 2003

Miyazaki H, Deveze A, Magnan J: Neuro-otologic surgery through minimally invasive retrosigmoid approach: Endoscope assisted micro-vascular decompression, vestibular neurotomy, and tumor removal. Laryngoscope 115: 1612–1617, 2005

Theodosopoulos PV, Marco E, Applebury C, Lamborn KR, Wilson CB: Predictive model for pain recurrence after posterior fossa surgery for trigeminal neuralgia. Arch Neurol 59: 1297-1302, 2002


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.