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J Neurol Surg B Skull Base 2020; 81(01): 037-042
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1677688
Original Article
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Neurotologic Complications Following Microvascular Decompression: A Retrospective Study

Matthew Bartindale
1   Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, United States
,
Ayah Mohamed
1   Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, United States
,
Jason Bell
1   Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, United States
,
Matthew Kircher
1   Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, United States
,
Jacqueline Hill
2   Department of Neurological Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, United States
,
Douglas Anderson
2   Department of Neurological Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, United States
,
John Leonetti
1   Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

22 August 2018

05 December 2018

Publication Date:
14 February 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Objective The main purpose of this article is to determine the frequency of neurotologic complications after posterior fossa microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery.

Design Retrospective case review.

Setting Tertiary care referral center.

Participants A total of 215 consecutive MVD operations by a single surgeon between March 1996 and May 2016 were reviewed with 192 surgeries on 183 patients meeting inclusion criteria.

Main Outcome Measures Neurotologic complications secondary to MVD.

Results The 52 males and 131 females had a mean age of 58.52 years (range, 28–92 years). Indications for MVD were trigeminal neuralgia (n = 162), hemifacial spasm (n = 23), glossopharyngeal neuralgia (n = 13), vagal palsy (n = 1), and tinnitus (n = 1). The outcomes examined were postoperative hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and hemifacial paresis. At least one of these complications was present in 17.7% of patients. There were 4.17% with permanent hearing loss, 6.77% with transient hearing loss, 5.21% with tinnitus, 5.73% with vertigo, and 0.52% with hemifacial paresis. There was no significant difference in complication rates based on surgical indication.

Conclusions Neurotologic complications are a significant risk when performing MVD. It is important for otolaryngologists as well as neurosurgeons to be aware of such complications. We recommend perioperative audiometry in all patients undergoing MVD and believe there is utility in routine otolaryngologist involvement.

Keywords

microvascular decompression - cerebellopontine angle - posterior fossa - complications - hearing loss - tinnitus - vertigo - hemifacial palsy

Note

This paper was presented as an oral presentation at the American Academy of Otolaryngology Annual Meeting in San Diego, California on September 20, 2016.


 

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