Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Trigeminal Neuralgia Reduces Neurovascular Compression: A Case Report after 11 Years

Abstract

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a rare and debilitating craniofacial pain syndrome often caused by vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve. Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) has been shown to offer a less invasive yet effective treatment method for pain reduction in TN. In this case report, we observed radiological evidence of resolved neurovascular compression after 11 years for a patient with recur­rent TN and prior GKRS. Case Report: A 72-year-old ­female presented with TN and radiological evidence of neurovas­cular compression on the affected side. She had complete resolution of her pain for 7 years after treatment with GKRS. The patient experienced recurrence and underwent repeat GKRS, this time resulting in another 3 years of pain relief. After the second recurrence, repeat intracranial imaging demonstrated resolution of neurovascular compression. Discussion: GKRS is an important treatment option for TN, although the mechanisms behind pain relief from this procedure still remain unclear. While prior histological and radiological studies point to ablative mechanisms for pain relief, this case report suggests that GKRS may result in a decompressive effect in TN due to changes in neurovascular architecture. Despite this finding, TN is known to occur and recur in the absence of neurovascular compression; thus, further work is necessary to understand the etiology of TN and its treatments. Conclusion: In this case, we demonstrate that vessel-nerve relationships may change over time in TN patients treated with GKRS, which raises the possibility that GKRS could ease a neurovascular compression.