Follow-up Evaluation after Microvascular Decompression of the Eighth Cranial Nerve

• Published in: Equilibrium Research Vol. 52; no. 2; pp. 169 - 174
• Main Authors: Moriya, Keiji, Sekitani, Toru, Endo, Shiro, Okamura, Tomomi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Society for Equilibrium Research 1993
• Subjects: caloric test; follow-up evaluation; neuro-vascular compression of the eighth cranial nerve; nystagmus; subjective symptoms
• ISSN: 0385-5716; 1882-577X
• DOI: 10.3757/jser.52.169

Three patients treated with microvascular decompression to relieve severe disabling rotatory vertigo were followed for two years. All patients had relief of symptoms. The results show that microvascular decompression is an effective way to treat disabling severe vertigo, but two of them complained of occasional brief episodes of floating sensation. Vestibular function tests of these two patients showed biphasic head-shaking nystagmus in one patient and paralytic nystagmus in the other. Caloric responses were not abnormal. Possible neural mechanisms related to neurovascular compression of the eighth cranial nerve are discussed with special reference to vestibular symptoms.