[Long-term follow-up results of microsurgical treatment for glossopharyngeal neuralgia].

OBJECTIVE

To discuss effective surgical methods for the treatment of glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

METHODS

During 1986 - 1998, 21 patients with glossopharyngeal neuralgia were treated microsurgically. Of whom, 5 patients were treated by microvascular decompression (MVD), 4 by MVD combined with rhizotomy of glossopharyngeal nerve root and upper 1st to 2nd rootlets of vagus nerve root, and 12 by rhizotomy of glossopharyngeal nerve root and upper 1st to 2nd rootlets of vagus nerve root.

RESULTS

Neuralgia disappeared in all patients postoperatively. In 3 patients, occasional coughing episodes occurred postoperatively. One of the 3 patients also suffered from mild hoarseness and swallowing difficulty. All patients were followed up on average 7.2 years with no recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

MVD, rhizotomy of glossopharyngeal nerve root and upper 1st to 2nd rootlets of vagus nerve and their combination are effective for the treatment of glossopharyngeal neuralgia. Operative methods should be chosen according to the following two points: compression of nerve roots by affected vessels or not; and the condition of compression.