Trigeminal neuralgia caused by a trigeminocerebellar artery

Microvascular decompression of trigeminal nerve through endoscopic retrosigmoid keyhole approach: Anatomical considerations of the trigeminocerebellar artery, technical pearls, and pitfalls

Background

Involvement of the trigeminocerebellar artery (TCA) in trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is rare, and reports of decompression using an endoscopic retro sigmoid keyhole approach are limited. This study, the largest of its kind, examines TCA-related TN cases to highlight the anatomical and surgical importance of the TCA, discuss technical difficulties in decompression, and review strategies for managing complications, along with a summary of previous cases.

Methods

Between April and September 2024, 56 endoscopic microvascular decompression (eMVD) procedures for TN were conducted using a 0° endoscope through the retrosigmoid keyhole approach in the Department of Neurosurgery, Fujita Health University Bantane Hospital, Japan. Among these, five cases involved the TCA as the compressive artery. We analyzed patient demographics, clinical presentations, neurovascular conflict (NVC) types, decompression techniques, surgical challenges, and outcomes, including a pictorial review of the TCA's developmental background, surgical anatomy, and clinical relevance.

Results

Of the 56 patients treated with eMVD, 5 (8.9%) were confirmed to have TCA-induced TN. These patients, predominantly female (60%) with an average age of 70.3 years, presented mainly with V2 or V3 distribution pain, primarily on the left side. Intraoperative analysis revealed multiple NVC points in 80% of cases due to the TCA's complex course, with variations in conflict type. Postoperative outcomes were positive, with immediate pain relief in all cases and 80% achieving complete symptom remission. No perioperative complications were observed. Preoperative imaging with 3D reconstruction and computed tomography angiography was valuable for planning, though intraoperative indocyanine green angiography was essential to confirm NVCs and the status of perforating arteries.

Conclusion

eMVD through a retro sigmoid keyhole approach is safe and effective for TCA-induced TN. Surgeons should consider potential TCA involvement and multiple NVCs to optimize decompression strategies.

How I do it: Endoscopic microvascular decompression for a nerve penetrating trigeminocerebellar artery causing trigeminal neuralgia

BACKGROUND

The trigeminocerebellar artery is a standard variant originating from the basilar artery and can be an infrequent cause of trigeminal neuralgia.

METHOD

Total endoscopic microvascular decompression (eMVD) was performed using a 0-degree endoscope through a retro sigmoid keyhole. Multiple points of neurovascular conflict enhanced by indocyanine green angiography were identified, and the root entry zone was decompressed. The patient had an improvement in facial pain with no complications.

CONCLUSION

Complete eMVD for a nerve-penetrating artery is a practical, minimally invasive, uncomplicated technique that improves visualization and patient comfort.

Endovascular treatment of a ruptured aneurysm arising from the proximal end of a partial vertebrobasilar duplication with a contralateral prominent persistent primitive hypoglossal artery: illustrative case

BACKGROUND

Ruptured aneurysms associated with a partial vertebrobasilar duplication or a persistent primitive hypoglossal artery (PPHA) have been reported. Only rarely has endovascular treatment of ruptured aneurysms in association with both vascular variations been reported.

OBSERVATIONS

A 66-year-old woman experienced the sudden onset of a severe headache caused by a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Cerebral angiograms demonstrated a prominent PPHA originating from the left internal carotid artery at the C2 vertebral level and a partial vertebrobasilar duplication between the hypoplastic right vertebral artery and proximal basilar artery with a small aneurysm at the proximal end of the duplication from where the anterior spinal artery originated. The left vertebral artery was aplastic. A microcatheter was introduced into the aneurysm via the PPHA under the control of high blood flow, using a balloon-assisted technique. The aneurysm was completely obliterated with a coil. Although small cerebellar and cerebral infarcts developed during the procedure, the patient was discharged without neurological symptoms.

LESSONS

To avoid serious neurological complications, precise analysis of the complex vascular anatomy, including the anterior spinal artery and hemodynamics, is clinically important for endovascular therapy of cerebral aneurysms in patients with an association between a partial vertebrobasilar duplication and a PPHA.

Long-Term Retrospective Analysis of Microvascular Decompression in Patients With Recurrent Trigeminal Neuralgia

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with recurrent trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and the experience of microvascular decompression (MVD) in the treatment of such patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data, imaging examination results, surgical methods, and treatment efficacies in 127 patients with recurrent typical TN from January 2005 to December 2014. Results: The age of the recurrent group was higher than that of the non-recurrent group (p < 0.05). The duration of pain before the first MVD procedure was longer in the recurrent group than in the non-recurrent group (p < 0.05). Patients in the recurrent group were more likely to have compression of the trigeminal nerve by the vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) or multiple vessels than patients in the non-recurrent group (p < 0.05). A Kaplan-Meier curve showed a median pain-free survival of 12 months after the first MVD procedure. The severity of pain (preoperative visual analog scale [VAS] score) in patients with recurrence was lower than that in patients with first-onset TN (p < 0.05). Vessel compression, Teflon compression or granuloma and arachnoid adhesion were considered the main causes of recurrence. Postoperative Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) scores in the redo MVD group were excellent (T = 2) for 69 patients (53.33%) and good (T = 3) for 46 patients (36.22%). The postoperative follow-up was 63-167 months (105.92 ± 25.66). During the follow-up, no recurrence was noted. All complications were cured or improved. Conclusions: Microvascular decompression (MVD) is an effective surgical method for the treatment of TN. For recurrent patients, reoperation can achieve good results.

Microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia caused by trigeminocerebellar artery

In this operative video, the authors demonstrate the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with typical right trigeminal neuralgia by a trigeminocerebellar artery (TCA). The TCA was first defined by Marinković as a unique branch of the basilar artery supplying both the trigeminal nerve root and the cerebellar hemisphere. As a result of the close relationship between this vessel and the nerve root, the TCA might compress the nerve root, thereby causing trigeminal neuralgia. However, few cases of trigeminal neuralgia caused by TCA have been reported. This video shows the microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia by the TCA. The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/UnGsCQRK6aY.

Safety of microvascular decompression for elderly patients with trigeminal neuralgia

OBJECTIVE

The present study compared the safety and efficacy of microvascular decompression (MVD) in groups of elderly patients and non-elderly patients with medically refractory trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and collected detailed perioperative data.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of clinical data was performed in 99 patients who underwent MVD from May 2012 to June 2015. The outcome data from 27 MVD operations for 27 patients aged 70-80 years (mean 74.6 years) were compared with 72 MVD operations with 72 patients aged 25-69 years (mean 55.7 years). Preoperative comorbidities were recorded and postoperative worsening comorbidities and non-neurological complications were evaluated at discharge. Efficacy of the surgery and neurological complications were evaluated in July 2015.

RESULTS

No decrease in activity of daily living was found in any patient. Complete pain relief without medication was achieved in 77.8% and partial pain relief in 14.8% in the elderly group, and 83.3% and 9.7%, respectively, in the non-elderly group (p=0.750). Permanent neurological complication was not observed in the elderly group, whereas Vth nerve and VIIIth nerve complications were observed in the non-elderly group. Rates of preoperative multiple comorbidities and of cardiovascular comorbidity were significantly higher in the elderly group (p<0.01). Worsening comorbidity and new pathology at discharge were mainly hypertension in both groups, but glaucoma attack and asthma attack were observed in the elderly group. All pathologies were successfully managed.

CONCLUSIONS

MVD for elderly patients with TN can be achieved safely with careful perioperative management. Information of comorbidity should be shared with all staff involved in the treatment, who should work as a team to avoid worsening comorbidity. The possibility of unpredictable events in the elderly patients should always be considered.

Patterns and variations in microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia

Microvascular decompression (MVD) is a highly effective surgical treatment for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Although there is little prospective clinical evidence, accumulated observational studies have demonstrated the benefits of MVD for refractory TN. In the current surgical practice of MVD for TN, there have been recognized patterns and variations in surgical anatomy and various decompression techniques. Here we provide a stepwise description of surgical procedures and relevant anatomical characteristics, as well as procedural options.