Microvascular Decompression for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia

Abstract

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is an extremely rare disease. Therefore, average neurosurgeons have limited number of opportunities for surgical experience of glossopharyngeal neuralgia. The authors mentioned several important surgical steps to achieve successful surgery. The initial cerebellar retraction should be modest to avoid unexpected rupture of bridging veins. The arachnoid between the lower cranial nerves and cerebellum should be fully dissected until the root entry/exit zones of all lower cranial nerves are easily observed. The offending arteries(especially the posterior inferior cerebellar artery)are tethered using arachnoid filaments. Complete dissection of the tethering arachnoid filaments is necessary for the offending artery to be mobilized and glued to the dural surface.