Vascular Compression Syndromes

In certain patients, when a blood vessel comes into contact with a nerve coming off the brainstem, this can result in dysfunction of the nerve.

The most common syndrome is trigeminal neuralgia, but numerous syndromes exist:

• Trigeminal neuralgia
• Hemifacial spasm
• Glossopharyngeal neuralgia
• Intractable vertigo
• Torticollis

Though the exact mechanism is not known, the most likely etiology is inflammation of the affected nerve. This inflammation results in “ephaptic transmission” where the nerve “short-circuits” and minimal stimulation results in intense symptoms (such as facial pain or inner ear pain).

By surgically repositioning the artery and/or vein causing nerve compression, this inappropriate conduction can be abated, resulting in improvement of symptoms.