Recovery of nerve conduction following microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the function of trigeminal nerve before and after microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia.


BACKGROUND
To date there is no direct evidence that microvascular decompression of the trigeminal root restores normal conduction in the nerve.


METHODS
The authors examined 10 patients with trigeminal neuralgia in whom preoperative MRI and MR angiography demonstrated neurovascular contact. During microvascular decompression, the trigeminal nerve was monitored by recording early scalp trigeminal evoked potentials immediately before, during, and after decompression. Direct recordings from the root entry zone were also performed.


RESULTS
In all patients preoperative scalp evoked potentials showed impaired conduction of the trigeminal root. Microvascular decompression was associated with immediate recovery of conduction in seven patients, demonstrated by both scalp evoked potentials and direct root recordings. All 10 patients were pain free postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Improvement in trigeminal neuralgia following microvascular decompression is often associated with normalization of neurophysiologic data, suggesting recovery of nerve function. Rapid electrophysiologic recovery and pain relief following microvascular decompression argue that neither phenomenon is linked to remyelination. It is possible that the trigeminal evoked potentials might predict an effective microvascular decompression.
Leandri
M
M
Centro Interuniversitario per la Neurofisiologia del Dolore, University of Genova, Italy.
Eldridge
P
P
Miles
J
J
D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D006801:Humans; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*