title: Vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia as a cause of trigeminal neuralgia: the role of microvascular decompression. Case report.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Hospital São José, Complexo Hospitalar Santa Casa de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. jkraemer@doctor.com
authors.forename: Jorge Luiz
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Kraemer
authors.forename: Arthur de Azambuja
authors.initials: Ade A
authors.lastname: Pereira Filho
authors.forename: Gustavo de
authors.initials: Gd
authors.lastname: David
authors.forename: Mario de Barros
authors.initials: Mde B
authors.lastname: Faria
mesh_terms: D017023:Coronary Angiography; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000601:surgery; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014715:Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene