Classification of trigeminal neuralgia: Clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic implications in a series of 144 patients undergoing microvascular decompression - Clinical article

Jonathan P. Miller, Feridun Acar, Kim J. Burchiel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

94 Scopus citations

Abstract

Object. Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) presents a diagnostic challenge because of the variety of symptoms, findings during microvascular decompression (MVD), and postsurgical outcomes observed among patients who suffer from this disorder. Recently, a new paradigm for classification of TN was proposed, based on the quality of pain. This study represents the first clinical analysis of this paradigm. Methods. The authors analyzed 144 consecutive cases involving patients who underwent MVD for TN. Preoperative symptoms were classified into 1 of 2 categories based on the preponderance of shocklike (Type 1 TN) or constant (Type 2 TN) pain. Analysis of clinical characteristics, neurovascular pathology, and postoperative outcome was performed. Results. Compared with Type 2 TN, Type 1 TN patients were older, were more likely to have right-sided symptoms, and reported a shorter duration of symptoms prior to evaluation. Previous treatment by percutaneous or radiosurgical procedures was not a predictor of symptoms, surgical findings, or outcome (p = 0.48). Type 1 TN was signifi-cantly more likely to be associated with arterial compression. Venous or no compression was more common among Type 2 TN patients (p < 0.01). Type 1 TN patients were also more likely to be pain-free immediately after surgery, and less likely to have a recurrence of pain within 2 years (p < 0.05). Although a subset of patients progressed from Type 1 to Type 2 TN over time, their pathological and prognostic profiles nevertheless resembled those of Type 1 TN. Conclusions. Type 1 and Type 2 TN represent distinct clinical, pathological, and prognostic entities. Classification of patients according to this paradigm should be helpful to determine how best to treat patients with this disorder.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1231-1234
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of neurosurgery
Volume111
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2009

Keywords

  • Facial pain
  • Microvascular decompression
  • Trigeminal neuralgia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Clinical Neurology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Classification of trigeminal neuralgia: Clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic implications in a series of 144 patients undergoing microvascular decompression - Clinical article'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this