Ectopic choroid plexus associated with trigeminal neuralgia: case report.

INTRODUCTION

A 55-year-old man underwent a microvascular decompression procedure for a pharmacoresistant trigeminal neuralgia. Preoperative MRI showed a neurovascular conflict between the Vth nerve root and the superior cerebellar artery.

METHODS

Dissection of the intracisternal trigeminal root was undertaken, and a piece of Teflon was positioned between the artery and the nerve.

RESULTS

Choroid plexus was found squeezing the root entry zone of the Vth nerve and partially removed. The patient did not improve after the vascular decompression procedure. Trigeminal neuralgia could be due to a mechanical irritation of the intracisternal nerve root.

CONCLUSION

Since vascular decompression of the trigeminal root did not relieve the pain, we suggest that the presence of choroid plexus at the root entry zone of the nerve may have induced trigeminal neuralgia in this patient.