[A Case of Trigeminal Neuralgia Treated with Microvascular Decompression 10 years after Gamma Knife Radiosurgery]

We report a case of trigeminal neuralgia treated with microvascular decompression 10 years after We report a case of trigeminal neuralgia treated with microvascular decompression 10 years after Gamma Knife radiosurgery was performed. The patient was a 65-year-old female. The root entry zone of the trigeminal nerve received irradiation:a 4-mm shot, with a maximum dose of 80 Gy. The symptoms improved following treatment, however pain recurred five and a half years later. The pain gradually increased over time, to the point where the patient was unable to eat solid food. Carbamazepine was prescribed and the dosage increased. However, side effects such as dizziness and drowsiness manifested. Microvascular decompression was performed, revealing that the trigeminal nerve was markedly atrophied and being pressed upon by the superior cerebellar artery. The superior cerebellar artery was transpositioned with Teflon braided tape to the cerebellar tent. There were no abnormal findings such as arachnoid thickening, adhesions between vessels and nerves, or atherosclerotic plaque in the affected vessels. Pain completely abated following surgery, and side effects such as numbness of the face have not been observed at the time of writing this report.