Evaluation of Microvascular Decompression Surgery for Treatment of primary Trigeminal Neuralgia

Abstract

rigeminal neuralgia is defined by the IASP (International Association for the study of pain) as a sudden, unilateral, brief stabbing recurrent episodes of pain in the distribution of the trigeminal nerve branches, affecting the quality of life.1 Trigeminal neuralgia is also coined with ‘tic douloureux’: is a syndrome characterized by paroxysmal attacks of pain. Via myelinated A-fibers, it is caused by non-nociceptive stimuli such as yawning, chewing, light touch, and other transmitted stimuli.1 The diagnosis is usually made based on the patient’s history and the absence of neurological deficits, except for discrete hypoalgesia, thermo hypesthesia, or mechanoreceptive hypoesthesia in the trigger area.2