ENCIRCLING METHOD OF TRIGEMINAL NERVE DECOMPRESSION FOR NEURALGIA CAUSED BY TORTUOUS VERTEBROBASILAR ARTERY - TECHNICAL NOTE

BACKGROUND Surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia caused by dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar artery presents a difficult problem because of the immobility and the stiffness of the atherosclerotic vessel walls. METHODS AND RESULTS A patient with trigeminal neuralgia was treated by a new method of vascular decompression. Preoperative studies demonstrated a dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar artery, and compression of the trigeminal nerve by the artery was confirmed during surgery. The fifth nerve was mobilized away from the artery using a ring-shaped piece of silicone rubber. Postoperatively, the facial pain completely resolved without complication. CONCLUSIONS Trigeminal neuralgia due to nerve compression by tortuous vertebrobasilar artery was successfully treated by an encircling method of vascular decompression.