Microvascular Decompression for Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia: Long-Term Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: To examine operative findings and outcome of microvascular decompression (MVD) for glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN). This research displayed the long-term outcomes of a large series of 35 cases with GPN treated with MVD.

METHODS: From January 2004 to June 2006, 35 consecutive patients were diagnosed with GPN. All of them underwent MVD. Demographic data, clinical presentation, operative findings, clinical results, operative complications were reviewed.

RESULTS: A total of 33 patients (94.3%) experienced complete pain relief immediately after MVD. Long-term follow-up was available for 30 of these 35 patients, and 28 of these 30 patients continued to be pain-free. There was no long-term operative morbidity in all cases. One patient had a cerebrospinal fluid leak and 1 case presented with delayed facial palsy.

CONCLUSIONS: Classic GPN is usually caused by pulsatile neurovascular compression of the glossopharyngeal and vagus rootlets. MVD is a safe, effective, and durable operation for GPN.