Decompression by Cutting the Tentorium for Trigeminal Neuralgia Caused by Vertebrobasilar Dolichoectasia.

BACKGROUND

Trigeminal neuralgia caused by vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is rare and challenging to treat. Some authors have reported techniques for treating trigeminal neuralgia caused by VBD using various kinds of objects including clips, Proline slings, and titanium plates.

METHODS

Here, we report the effectiveness of cutting and splitting of the tentorium in 3 patients with trigeminal neuralgia.

RESULTS

The clinical results were good, the pain disappeared in all patients without medication, and no complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

In cases of trigeminal neuralgia caused by VBD, this technique may be as useful as traditional microvascular decompression around the trigeminal nerve root entry zone.