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Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Microvascular Decompression: Salient Surgical Principles and Technical Nuances
Published on: July 5, 2011
Hydrocephalus: an underrated long-term complication of microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia. A single
Francesco Muratorio1, G Tringali2, V Levi2
1Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Nazionale Neurologico Carlo Besta, via Giovanni Celoria 11, 20133, Milan, Italy. POTUSFM@hotmail.it.
Background:
Hydrocephalus is a common complication of posterior fossa surgery, but its real incidence after microvascular decompression (MVD) for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN) still remains unclear. The aim of this study was to focus on the potential association between MVD and hydrocephalus as a surgery-related complication.
Methods:
All patients who underwent MVD procedure for idiopathic TN at our institute between 2009 and 2014 were reviewed to search for early or late postoperative hydrocephalus.
Results:
There were 259 consecutive patients affected by idiopathic TN who underwent MVD procedure at our institution between 2009 and 2014 (113 men, 146 women; mean age 59 years, range 30-87 years; mean follow-up 40.92 months, range 8-48 months). Nine patients (3.47 %) developed communicating hydrocephalus after hospital discharge and underwent standard ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. No cases of acute hydrocephalus were noticed.
Conclusions:
Our study suggests that late communicating hydrocephalus may be an underrated potential long-term complication of MVD surgery.
Insights
Microvascular decompression (MVD) for trigeminal neuralgia (TN) may lead to late communicating hydrocephalus in 3.47% of patients. This study highlights hydrocephalus as a potential long-term complication of MVD surgery.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
Background:
- Hydrocephalus is a known complication of posterior fossa surgery.
- The incidence of hydrocephalus following microvascular decompression (MVD) for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between MVD surgery for idiopathic TN and the development of hydrocephalus as a potential complication.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of patients who underwent MVD for idiopathic TN between 2009 and 2014.
- Analysis of patient records to identify early or late postoperative hydrocephalus.
Main Results:
- A total of 259 patients (113 male, 146 female; mean age 59 years) were included.
- Nine patients (3.47%) developed communicating hydrocephalus post-discharge and required ventriculo-peritoneal shunting.
- No cases of acute hydrocephalus were observed.
Conclusions:
- Late communicating hydrocephalus may be an underrecognized long-term complication of MVD surgery for idiopathic TN.
