Surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia caused by the cerebellopontine angle tumour

Abstract

Objective: To explore the diagnosis and treatment of secondary trigeminal neuralgia with cerebellopontine angle tumour. Methods: Twelve cases of secondary trigeminal neuralgia were treated during 2001–2004, and 7 were analyzed with regard to clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment. Twelve patients with trigeminal neuralgia associated with cerebellopontine angle tumour were studied, including 7 patients with epidermoid cysts of cerebellopontine angle and 5 patients with the meningioma of cerebellopontine angle. Pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed space-occupying at cerebellopontine angle. Results: With cerebellopontine angle tumours removed through the retrosigmoid sinus approach, the secondary trigeminal neuralgia in all patients was completely relieved without surgical complications postoperatively. The follow-up period was 1–3 years. Recurrent trigeminal neuraligia occurred only in one patient at 1.5 years postoperatively (after operation at 1.5 years). Conclusions: MRI has made a significant contribution to the diagnosis of secondary trigeminal neuralgia. Microsurgery through the retrosigmoid sinus approach is the first-line treatment of secondary trigeminal neuralgia caused by cerebellopontine tumours.