Microvascular decompression for treatment of nervus intermedius neuralgia: report of 18 cases and literatures review

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics,surgical strategies and effectiveness of nervus intermedius neuralgia.Methods Eighteen patients of nervus intermedius neuralgia admitted to our hospital from September 1999 to August 2009 were analyzed retrospectively.The clinical symptoms,admitting diagnosis,surgical strategies and effectiveness of those patients were compiled and analyzed in combined with literature review.Results All patients of accepted microvascular decompression (MVD).Among them,16 cases' pain completely disappeared after MVD.2 cases had occasional seizures.The total efficiency was 100％.The follow-up lasted 23-60 months (35 months in average).The total efficiency was 100％.The complications,included 3 cases of transient mild facial paralysis and 2 cases of mild hearing dysfunction,were completely relieved within 3 months.Conclusion Nervus intermedius neuralgia was rare.It should be differentiated with other neuralgia diseases,such as trigeminal neuralgia and glossopharyngeal neuralgia.For patients who had poor effect with conservative treatment,MVD was a safe and effective surgical method. Key words: Microvascular decompression;  Nervus intermedius neuralgia;  Curative effect