[Posterior sigmoid sinus approach glossopharyngcal neurotomy in the surgical treatment of glossopharyngeal neuralgia].

OBJECTIVE

To appraise the diagnotic criteria and surgical indications of glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

METHODS

Under 2% lidocaine local infiltration anesthesia, retrosigmoid sinus approach was adopted to find the cerebellopontine angle. The possible focus causing glossopharyngeal neuralgia was searched carefully under the microscope and the glossopharyngeal nerve cut.

RESULTS

Only 2 cases had artery compression on the surface of glossopharyngeal nerve during the operations. Besides, all of them had arachnoid synechia around the glossopharyngeal nerve. The symptoms of glossopharyngeal neuralgia disappeared thoroughly after operations. Three cases having histories of bradycardia, arrhythmia or hypotension recovered from their diseases postoperatively. Recurrent symptoms were not found in the follow-up survey which lasted 8 months to 6 years, with an average of 3.7 years.

CONCLUSION

Glossopharyngeal neurotomy via retrosigmoid sinus approach has positive therapeutic effect as long as the diagnosis is correct.