Microvascular Decompression and Arachnoid Cyst Fenestration for Treatment of Medulla Oblongata Compression Caused by Arachnoid Cyst-Vascular Loop Complex.

BACKGROUND: Vascular compression of neural structures has long been established as an etiology for dysfunction of multiple cranial nerves. Classically, as is the case of trigeminal neuralgia, vascular compression by an offending artery and sometimes vein-exerting pressure at the root entry zone of the trigeminal nerve can lead to the characteristic pain syndrome.

CASE DESCRIPTION: In these cases, microvascular decompression is an effective, durable surgical intervention to relieve the neuralgia. In this report, we present a unique case of a patient with direct compression of the medulla oblongata by an arachnoid cyst and associated vascular loops.

CONCLUSION: Confirming our suspected pathophysiology of this case, we noted resolution of the patient's symptoms following fenestration of cyst and microvascular decompression.