title: A review of cavernous malformations with trigeminal neuralgia.
abstract: Cavernous malformation with trigeminal neuralgia is relatively rare; only 10 cases have been reported. In deciding treatment strategies, it is helpful to classify cavernous malformation according to its origin, as follows: in the Gasserian ganglion (Type G); between the cisternal and intra-axial portions of the trigeminal nerve root (Type C); in the intra-axial trigeminal nerve root in the pons (Type P); or in the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve root (Type S). A 62-year-old male presented with left trigeminal neuralgia (V2 area) and left facial hypoesthesia. Imaging studies revealed a cerebellopontine angle mass lesion with characteristics of a cavernous malformation and evidence of hemorrhage. The lesion was completely removed via a left anterior transpetrosal approach. The mass was attached to the trigeminal nerve root; it was located between the cisternal and intra-axial portions of the nerve root, and feeding off microvessels from the trigeminal nerve vascular plexus. Histological examination confirmed a cavernous malformation. In this case, the cavernous malformation was Type C. We review cases of cavernous malformation with trigeminal neuralgia and discuss therapeutic strategies according to the area of origin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, 1-98, Kutsugake Dengakugakubo, Toyoake City, Aichi 470-1192, Japan. Electronic address: kazu-adachi@rio.odn.ne.jp.
authors.forename: Kazuhide
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adachi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, 1-98, Kutsugake Dengakugakubo, Toyoake City, Aichi 470-1192, Japan.
authors.forename: Mitsuhiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, 1-98, Kutsugake Dengakugakubo, Toyoake City, Aichi 470-1192, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, 1-98, Kutsugake Dengakugakubo, Toyoake City, Aichi 470-1192, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagahisa
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University, 1-98, Kutsugake Dengakugakubo, Toyoake City, Aichi 470-1192, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hirose
mesh_terms: D002530:Cerebellopontine Angle / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D002538:Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014276:Trigeminal Nerve / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014277:Trigeminal Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Anterior transpetrosal approach; Cavernous malformation; Operative approach; Pons; Trigeminal neuralgia