Resolution of trigeminal neuralgia following pontine haemorrhage

Trigeminal neuralgia is characterized by paroxysms of pain in the sensory distribution of the trigeminal nerve usually caused by vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve at the root entry zone. We describe a 57-year-old woman who experienced complete resolution of trigeminal neuralgia following hypertensive pontine haemorrhage.     

三叉神经痛显微血管减压术中非动脉压迫因素的处理策略

目的探讨三叉神经痛显微血管减压术中非动脉性压迫因素的处理对策,以提高手术效果。方法回顾性分析150例三叉神经痛显微血管减压术术中资料。根据不同的原因,单独或联合采取压迫静脉电凝切断、蛛网膜松解以感觉根纵向梳理术等处理方法。结果岩静脉接触或压迫18例,所有病例均将岩静脉电凝、切断,12例同时进行三叉神经感觉根纵向梳理术。岩静脉接触或压迫合并蛛网膜粘连8例,岩静脉电凝、切断同时行三叉神经颅内段全长蛛网膜粘连松解术。单纯蛛网膜肥厚、粘连5例,全部行三叉神经颅内段全长蛛网膜粘连松解术,同时进行三叉神经感觉根纵向梳理术。既无静脉压迫,也无蛛网膜粘连3例,均行三叉神经感觉根纵向梳理术。术后随访6个月至2年,疼痛消失者32例,2例明显缓解;3例出现面部轻度麻木,半年后消失;1例不全面瘫1年后恢复;1例术侧听力减退,1年后无恢复。结论三叉神经痛显微血管减压术中非动脉性致痛因素处理更为复杂,术中针对不同的原因,单独或联合采用压迫静脉电凝切断、蛛网膜松解、感觉根纵向梳理术,可望取得理想的止痛效果。     

The significance of three-dimensional MR-defined neurovascular compression for the pathogenesis of trigeminal neuralgia

Three-dimensional MR tomography was used to examine the relationship between symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia and neurovascular compression of the nerve in 18 patients. The intensity of neurovascular interaction was classified according to neuroradiological criteria. We found that a radiologically defined compression or dislocation of the nerve by an artery was always associated with symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia. A simple contanct between vessel and nerve, however, was also observed on the asymptomatic sides of 10 out of 18 patients. In 6 of 18 patients, in contrast, trigeminal neuralgia was present in spite of the absence of neurovascular contact. In accordance with a cited study based on autopsy and intraoperative findings, our findings indicate that, in a certain proportion of cases, trigeminal neuralgia may be caused by neurovascular compression alone, whereas in other cases, other pathogenetic factors may be involved to a varying degree or be even exclusively responsible for the development of trigeminal neuralgia. The possible significance of the method for a preoperative estimation of the success of microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve is discussed.     

Migraine in pregnancy and lactation

Whether arterial or venous compression or arachnoid adhesions are primarily responsible for compression of the trigeminal nerve in patients with trigeminal neuralgia is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the causes of trigeminal nerve compression in patients with trigeminal neuralgia. The surgical findings in patients with trigeminal neuralgia who were treated by micro vascular decompression were compared to those in patients with hemifacial spasm without any signs or symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia who were treated with microvascular decompression. The study included 99 patients with trigeminal neuralgia (median age, 57 years) and 101 patients with hemifacial spasm (median age, 47 years). There were significant differences between the groups in the relationship of artery to nerve (p < 0.001) and the presence of arachnoid adhesions (p < 0.001) but no significant difference in relationship of vein to nerve. After adjustment for age, gender, and other factors, patients with vein compression of nerve or with artery compression of nerve were more likely to have trigeminal neuralgia (OR = 5.21 and 42.54, p = 0.026 and p < 0.001, respectively). Patients with arachnoid adhesions were less likely to have trigeminal neuralgia (OR = 0.15, p = 0.038). Arterial compression of the trigeminal nerve is the primary cause of trigeminal neuralgia and therefore, decompression of veins need not be a priority when performing microvascular dissection in patients with trigeminal neuralgia.     

Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia as a cause of trigeminal neuralgia: the role of microvascular decompression. Case report

Our purpose is to report a case of trigeminal neuralgia caused by vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia treated with microvascular decompression. A 63-year-old man sought treatment for a recurrent lancinating left facial pain in V2 and V3 trigeminal territories. The computed tomography angiography revealed a mechanical compression of the left trigeminal nerve due to vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia. The patient was submitted to a left suboccipital craniotomy. Shredded Teflon was introduced in the conflicting neurovascular area, achieving a satisfactory decompression. The patients pain resolved immediately. Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia is a rare cause of trigeminal neuralgia and a successful outcome can be achieved with microvascular decompression.     

Unusual cause for bilateral trigeminal neuralgia: unilateral racemous cysticercus of cerebellopontine angle. Case report

We report the case of a 42-year-old woman with a racemous cystecercus in the right cerebellopontine angle (CPA), who presented with bilateral trigeminal neuralgia. The parasite was completly removed via a right suboccipital craniotomy. On the first postoperative day, the patient indicated that the pain disappeared. The neuralgia was caused by two probable mechanisms: a distortion of the brain stem and compression of the nerve against an arterial loop at the entry zone or arachnoiditis caused by the parasite in the both CPA cisternae. This case demonstrates the advisability of obtaining imaging studies in all patients with trigeminal neuralgia before starting any management. We must always remind that the cysticercus may be a differential diagnosis of CPA lesions.     

Trigeminal evoked potentials in patients with symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia due to intracranial mass lesions.

Trigeminal evoked potentials (TEP) were recorded by electrical stimulation of the lips in 7 patients with symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia due to CT proved mass lesions involving the trigeminal nerve. All the patients showed TEP abnormalities on the affected side. Chronic compression and irritation of the trigeminal nerve may be responsible for these changes. The results obtained were compared with other similar studies and TEP abnormalities observed in idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. As all the patients had unequivocal compression of the trigeminal nerve and all of them had TEP changes, it can be concluded that TEP abnormality is an accurate predictor of trigeminal nerve compression. TEPs may be a valuable aid in demonstrating a compressive element in patients with trigeminal neuralgia.     

磁共振对因神经血管压迫致三叉神经痛的诊断价值

目的 分析原发性三叉神经痛患者的MR表现,探讨MRI对因神经血管压迫致原发性三叉神经痛的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析12例三叉神经痛患者的MRI表现,就三叉神经和周围血管的关系与手术结果进行对照分析。结果 12例三叉神经痛患者的MRI资料中,神经血管压迫、接触或可疑接触者11例,占91.7％;该12例患者均行手术,证实血管压迫或接触者12例;故与手术结果对照,MRI诊断三叉神经痛神经血管压迫或接触的敏感性为91.7％。结论 MRI能清晰显示三叉神经脑池段与毗邻血管之间的关系,对三叉神经血管压迫或接触的诊断具有较高的敏感性,对提供术前评估和指导治疗有极其重要的意义。     

左侧三叉神经痛、面肌痉挛、原发性高血压共同发生一例报告并文献复习

目的探讨左侧三叉神经痛、面肌痉挛、原发性高血压三者共同发生的发病机制、治疗和预后。方法手术治疗1例左侧三叉神经痛、面肌痉挛、原发性高血压共同发生的男性患者，并结合文献进行分析。结果此病例左三叉神经痛、面肌痉挛、原发性高血压与扩张迂曲椎一基底动脉压迫之间存在因果关系，行显微血管减压术后病人三叉神经痛、面肌痉挛消失，血压正常，无并发症。结论左三叉神经痛、面肌痉挛、原发性高血压三者共同发生患者少见，其与血管压迫之间存在因果关系，血管减压术是有效的治疗方法。     

桥脑旁三叉神经微血管与临床关系的研究

目的：研究三叉神经与桥脑旁微血管的临床解剖关系。方法：总结比较３０例尸检与６０例接受微血管减压手术的三叉神经痛病人的三叉神经与桥脑旁微血管的关系，共可分为五型：无接触、接触、压迫、粘连包绕和贯穿型。结果：尸检和手术中所见的微血管与三叉神经关系有明显区别。三叉神经痛的手术病人组血管压迫神经者１００％，尸检组仅４５％。结论：血管压迫因素是三叉神经痛的重要发病因素。     

Trigeminal neuralgia and treatment options

Trigeminal neuralgia is a painful condition of the face characterized by paroxysmal lancinating, shock-like pain confined to the somatosensory distribution of the trigeminal nerve. The etiology of most cases of trigeminal neuralgia has been suggested to be vascular compression of the central axons of the trigeminal nerve at the level of pontocerebellar region, so called hyperactive dysfunctional syndrome. Trigeminal neuralgia is the one of the most known pain syndromes. Several neurosurgical procedures have been developed for the treatment of idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia and in this review, idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia was discussed in aspect of different surgical modalities.     

Differences in individual susceptibility affect the development of trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a syndrome due to dysfunctional hyperactivity of the trigeminal nerve,and is characterized by a sudden,usually unilateral,recurrent lancinating pain arising from one or more divisions of the nerve.The most accepted pathogenetic mechanism for trigeminal neuralgia is compression of the nerve at its dorsal root entry zone or in its distal course.In this paper,we report four cases with trigeminal neuralgia due to an unknown mechanism after an intracranial intervention.The onset of trigeminal neuralgia after surgical interventions that are unrelated to the trigeminal nerve suggests that in patients with greater individual susceptibility,nerve contact with the vascular structure due to postoperative pressure and changes in cerebrospinal fluid flow may cause the onset of pain.     

Association between trigeminal neuralgia and multiple sclerosis: role of magnetic resonance imaging.

Seven consecutive patients with multiple sclerosis and trigeminal neuralgia were investigated with MRI to determine the occurrence of a lesion which would account for the patients' pain. Two patients had bilateral symptoms. In the patients with unilateral trigeminal neuralgia vascular compression of the nerve by an artery at the root entry zone on the symptomatic side was confirmed in three patients and an epidermoid tumour distorting the nerve on the symptomatic side was identified in one patient. A demyelinating plaque was identified in only one patient, affecting the trigeminal nerve at the root entry zone at the pons. In those with bilateral symptoms neurovascular compression was identified on both sides in one patient and on one side only in the remaining patient. Microvascular decompression cured the pain in two patients with neurovascular compression. The variable aetiology of trigeminal neuralgia is stressed even in patients with coexistent neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, which can cause trigeminal neuralgia independent of other causes.     

微血管减压术治疗典型及非典型三叉神经痛的疗效对比研究

目的探讨微血管减压术治疗典型及非典型三叉神经痛的不同疗效及其可能机制。方法寸比分析2003～2004年间经微血管减压术治疗的45例典型三又神经痛患者及17例非典型三叉神经痛患者的临床特征、术中所见年口手术疗效。结果45例典型三叉神经痛患者中，平均痛程3．1年，平均发病年龄60．3岁。其中20例（44．4％）患者中疼痛累及三又神经的单一分支，其余25例（55．6％）疼痛均累及2或3个分支。术中见39例（86．7％）为动脉压迫，6例（13．3％）为动脉和静脉混合压迫。术后疼痛完全缓解44例（97．8％），明显减轻1例（2．2）。而在17例非典型三叉神经痛患者中，平均病程8．7年，平均发病年龄55.5岁，疼痛均累及三叉神经的2或3个分支。术中见10例（58．8％）为动脉压迫，7例（41．2％）为动脉年口静脉混合压迫。术后疼痛完全缓解5倒（29.4％），明显减轻10例（58．8％），无效2例（11．8％）。结论微血管减压术治疗典型三叉神经痛的疗效明显优于非典型患者，这可能与典型三叉神经痛患者的病程较短、发病年龄较晚、疼痛多呈单支分布、且以动脉压迫为主以及术中能够实现充分减压有关。     

Trigeminal Neuralgia Caused by an Anomalous Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery from the Primitive Trigeminal Artery: Case Report

A 61-year-old woman presented with typical trigeminal neuralgia (TN), caused by an aberrant posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) associated with the primitive trigeminal artery (PTA). Magnetic resonance angiography and digital subtraction angiography clearly showed an anomalous artery directly originating from the PTA and coursing into the PICA territory at the cerebellum. During microvascular decompression (MVD), we confirmed and decompressed vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve by this anomalous, PICA-variant type of PTA. The PTA did not conflict with the trigeminal nerve, and the anomalous PICA only compressed the caudolateral part of the trigeminal nerve, without the more common compression at its root entry zone. This case is informative due not only to its very unusual angioanatomical variation but also to its helpfulness for surgeons preparing a MVD for a TN associated with such a rare vascular anomaly.     

微血管减压术治疗青少年原发性三叉神经痛简

目的三叉神经痛极少发生于青少年,本研究旨在探究微血管减压术治疗青少年三叉神经痛疗效,并就其病因及其手术策略进行探讨。方法收集2005年1月至2013年5月在我科接受微血管减压术的所有年龄小于18岁的原发性三叉神经痛患者资料,分析术中所见、手术疗效、并发症及随访结果。结果术后随访0．5～7年,治疗有效率94．1％,未出现脑出血,听力丧失等严重并发症,随访未见复发。结论青少年原发性三叉神经痛由于血管压迫引起,但责任血管类型与成人不同,静脉压迫及混合压迫占有重要比例。微血管减压术是治疗青少年三又神经痛的首选方法,全程有序探查责任血管,重视静脉处理及充分减压是提高手术治愈率的关键。     

三叉神经痛微血管减压术后疼痛不缓解的治疗体会

目的 探讨三叉神经微血管减压(MVD)术后患者疼痛不缓解的治疗方法 . 方法 对北京大学人民医院神经外科自2005年1月至2009年6月收治的50例原发性三叉神经痛患者行MVD术后手术效果进行回顾性分析.对术后疼痛不缓解的患者应用经皮卵圆孔三叉神经池甘油封闭术治疗. 结果 50例患者MVD术后有3例疼痛不缓解.3例患者中对责任血管实施减压者2例,无责任血管仅行梳理者1例;3例患者均有蛛网膜粘连增厚.应用经皮卵圆孔三叉神经池甘油封闭术治疗后疼痛消失. 结论 尽管实施有效的MVD术仍不能保证所有患者术后疼痛缓解,特别是无责任血管者,术后持续疼痛可能性更大.荧屏监视下经皮卵圆孔穿刺半月节甘油封闭术为MVD术后疼痛不缓解者提供了一种避免再次开颅、简便易行、安全有效的方法 .     

A method for intraoperative microneurographic recording of unitary activity in the trigeminal ganglion of patients with trigeminal neuralgia

The etiology of trigeminal neuralgia appears to be vascular compression of the nerve at the root entry zone. However, the physiologic mechanism of trigeminal neuralgia remains uncertain. To gain insight into the pathophysiology of the disorder, we developed a method for intraoperative microneurographic recordings from the trigeminal ganglion of patients with trigeminal neuralgia. The recordings are performed immediately prior to standard percutaneous trigeminal gangliolysis for pain relief. Spontaneous or evoked single- and multi-unit action potential activity can be recorded and the location of receptive fields determined. The method should facilitate the testing of hypotheses concerning the origin of this unique pain disorder.     

106例颅底肿瘤并三叉神经痛

本文报告了106例颅底肿瘤并三叉神经痛。其中胆脂瘤83例,三叉神经鞘瘤11例,脑膜瘤5例,三叉神经纤维瘤3例,脑干胶质瘤、听神经瘤各2例。桥小脑角胆脂瘤多表现为典型三叉神经痛或唯一症状,其它多表现为非典型三叉神经痛。分析了不同肿瘤诊断和手术要点,总结了提高治愈率减少并发症的经验。     

Dyna-CT引导下经皮穿刺三叉神经半月节微球囊压迫术治疗三叉神经痛

目的 探讨Dyna-CT引导下经皮穿刺三叉神经节微球囊压迫术（PBC）治疗三叉神经痛的临床效果。方法 对2017年9月至2018年11月采用Dyna-CT 引导下PBC治疗的17例三叉神经痛的临床资料进行回顾性分析。在Dyna-CT引导下穿刺，颅底3D-CT重建证实穿刺针抵达卵圆孔。通过穿刺针将带导丝CTZ-14球囊导入Meckel腔，球囊压迫三叉神经半月节。结果 住院时间3~9 d，平均5.6 d。术后随访6~12个月。术后症状完全消失14例，明显缓解2例，无缓解1例；总有效率为94.2%（16/17）。术后出现面部麻木15例、咀嚼略乏力9例、眼角干涩2例、口角疱疹5例，均经治疗后痊愈。结论 Dyna-CT 引导下PBC，是针对复发三叉神经痛、高龄、不愿或不能耐受开颅手术的三叉神经痛的有效微创手术方法，具有良好的临床应用价值。