What is Microvascular Decompression?
Microvascular decompression is a surgical procedure that was developed based on a hypothesis that pain or other aberrant nerve function was the result of repetitive trauma incurred by the pulsations of a normal contiguous cerebral vessel. The microvascular decompression procedure involves the physical separation of the nerve from the offending vessel and is achieved through a craniotomy/craniectomy allowing for direct visualization of the artery/nerve interface.
Microvascular decompression surgery, developed in the 1970’s, has been enormously efficacious in alleviating the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia, hemi-facial spasm and glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
Overall, when compared to other procedures used to treat trigeminal neuralgia in particular, microvascular decompression has higher procedural risk than either percutaneous rhizotomy or Gamma Knife and requires a general anaesthetic. These risks, however, are counterbalanced particularly in younger patients with the knowledge that more complete and lasting relief of pain is achieved by treating the source of the condition rather than by causing a selective therapeutic nerve injury.
Hemifacial Spasm Videos
Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia Videos
Trigeminal Neuralgia Videos
Have More Questions about This Condition
Radio host makes airwaves with stroke – and complete recovery
Today, Marisol Vargas is the mother of a vivacious 2½-year-old. But in 2019, she ended up permanently on a daily baby...
Overcoming Essential Tremors: Bob Bosloper’s Story
Reclaiming Your Future: Dana Raleigh’s Story
It Was, Indeed, a Problem Unfortunately, Dana had multiple fractures in her back that she was either born with or...
Flourishing After Parkinson’s Diagnosis: Sandy Deck’s Story
This video highlights the story of Sandy Deck, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and struggled with…
Discovering New Strength: Patty Petrula’s Story
Patty Petrula was training for her first triathlon when she collapsed at the gym and was rushed to the hospital, where Dr. Daniel Walzman determined she had suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm.
22-year-old Makes Incredible Recovery from Both COVID-19 and Stroke: Danny Dominguez’s Story
As a 22-year-old man, Danny Dominguez isn’t the typical stroke patient. The first time he experienced shortness of breath and headache accompanied by a throbbing sensation in April 2020, he went to a nearby hospital and was sent home with pain medication.
How Neurosurgeon Roy D. Vingan Cured One Patient’s Chronic Back Pain: Stephen Tinney’s Story
Surgery as a Last Resort Many patients with back pain can improve without surgical intervention, and more often than...
Newark Woman Uses Gift Of Hope To Fight Parkinson’s Disease: Susan O’Rourke’s Story
Susan O’Rourke has a gift: she can see hope where others see depression. Now, the president of Newark-based nonprofit Artfront Galleries is harnessing that ability to find a new pathway forward from her battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Surviving Multiple Aneurysms: Michele Blum’s Story
Michele Blum is an actress who lives to be on the stage. But when multiple aneurysms left her in a coma, Michele’s future was far from certain. That’s when Dr. Reza Karimi of New Jersey Brain and Spine entered the stage and found the one path recovery.