Endovascular Treatment of Rare Vascular Complications of Percutaneous Balloon Compression for Trigeminal Neuralgia

AIM: To present the clinical features and outcomes of rare vascular complications of percutaneous balloon compression (PBC) for trigeminal neuralgia. These complications were treated by the endovascular technique. MATERIAL and METHODS: In this retrospective study, 5 patients with trigeminal neuralgia were treated by PBC, who complicated vascular incidence between December 2000 and May 2011. The complications included 3 internal carotid cavernous fistulae (CCF) and 2 external carotid artery system fistulae. These complications were treated by endovascular coil embolism and balloon occlusion techniques. RESULTS: Five patients (100%) had pain free after the PBC. All the complications were cured and symptoms were gradually improved. There was no recurrence of trigeminal neuralgia or vascular complication symptoms during the follow-up period (mean 20 months, range 7-52 months). CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment is effective and safe for the rare iatrogenic vascular complications of the PBC procedure. Neurosurgeons should be made aware of this complication. Timely diagnosis and expedient treatment should be ensured as early as possible in order to decrease