{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Outcomes of Trigeminal Ganglion Sparing Surgical Resection of Nonacoustic Cerebellopontine Angle Tumors Causing Trigeminal Neuralgia.
{Author}: Tugend M;Washington E;Sekula RF;
{Journal}: World Neurosurg
{Volume}: 187
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jul 5
{Factor}: 2.21
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.wneu.2024.03.162
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Tumors may be responsible for up to 5% of trigeminal neuralgia cases. Predictors of long-term pain relief after surgical resection of various cerebellopontine angle tumor types are not well understood. Previous studies found that size and extent of resection predict long-term pain status, although resection of tumor involving the trigeminal ganglion may be associated with high morbidity. This study evaluated predictors of TN pain freedom after resection of a nonacoustic CPA tumor, with avoidance of any portion involving the TG.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>In a retrospective cohort study, we evaluated clinical outcomes and complications after surgical resection of nonacoustic CPA tumors with purposeful avoidance of the TG causing trigeminal neuralgia. The primary outcome was pain-freedom. We performed logistic regression analyses to examine the relationship between pain-freedom at last follow-up and age, side of symptoms, preoperative symptom duration, tumor diameter, tumor type, and concurrent neurovascular compression (NVC).<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Of 18 patients with nonacoustic CPA tumors causing TN treated with surgical resection, 83.3% were pain-free at last follow-up (mean 44.6 months). Age (P = 0.12), side (P = 0.41), preoperative symptom duration (P = 0.85), tumor diameter (P = 0.29), tumor type (P = 0.37), and NVC presence (P = 0.075) were not associated with long-term pain freedom.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>This study provides additional evidence that various tumor types causing TN may safely undergo surgical resection and decompression of the trigeminal nerve to treat TN. This study presents a cohort of patients that underwent resection of a nonacoustic CPA tumor, with purposeful avoidance of the TG to minimize complications, demonstrating high rates of long-term pain freedom.