Microvascular decompression in trigeminal neuralgia and multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis, kwon as symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia (STN), is present in 3% of multiple sclerosis patients. Despite the fact that a demyelinating plaque near the trigeminal system in the brainstem is accepted as the pathophysiological mechanism, it has been proved a vascular compressive component as well, that has made considered microvascular decompression (MVD) an effective treatment in these patients. We present the case of a 32 years old male with diagnosis of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and brainstem lesions, associated with STN treated by MVD achieving an excellent pain control.