Back to Glossary

microvascular decompression

A surgical procedure which lifts a blood vessel (usually an artery) off of a cranial nerve as it enters or exits the brainstem (root entry zone).  A small piece of mesh or sponge is then placed between the nerve and the vessel.  This is beneficial for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia (fifth cranial nerve) and hemifacial spasm (seventh cranial nerve).

 

  Terms of Use I Privacy Policy