J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1981 Mar;10(1):369-376.

Microvascular Decompression of the Fifth and Seventh Cranial Nerves

• Kwun BD
• Choi KS

Abstract

Recently the cause of hemifacial spasm and trigeminel neuralgia is known to be vascular compression-distortion in the root exit and entry zone of each nerve. The microvascular decompression of the 5th and 7th cranial nerves is a method of refined and non-traumatic surgical treatment of these disabling diseases. 33 patients with intractable hemifacial spasm and 7 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were treated by microvascular decompression and the follow-up results were evaluated. The surgical results in 33 cases of hemifacial spasm were as follow: Excellent-18, Good-7, Fair-6, Poor-2. Disturbance of hearing as a complication appeared in 6 cases, but improved gradually except one case. The surgical finding and results in 7 cases of trigeminal neuralgia were as follow: In 6 cases the causative vessel was SCA and in one case SCV indented the nerve root. All 7 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were relieved from facial pain after surgery.

MeSH Terms

Cranial Nerves
Facial Nerve*
Facial Pain
Follow-Up Studies
Hearing
Hemifacial Spasm
Humans
Microvascular Decompression Surgery*
Neuralgia
Trigeminal Neuralgia