Microvascular decompression for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia is defined as (paroxysmal, unilateral, severe, penetrating, short-term and recurrent pain in the distribution of one or more of the branches of the V cranial nerve). It can be essential or secondary. Its prevalence is high and has been increasing along with life expectancy; it constitutes 89% of facial neuralgia in people over 60 years. Their diagnosis is based on the clinically, physical and neurological examination. There are complementary studies such as tomography and brain resonance, which are focused on differentiating between an essential or secondary neuralgia. This pathology continues to be an unknown disease for many general physicians and what is even worse, poorly managed by many of the specialists in charge of it. This dossier abstracts the main anatomoclinic, pathophysiological characteristics, and a detailed description of microvascular decompression as the best therapeutic option for trigeminal neuralgia.