Microvascular decompression of the VII/VIII cranial nerve complex for the treatment of intermediate nerve neuralgia: A retrospective case series

BACKGROUND : Intermediate nerve neuralgia (INN) is a rare and often overlooked form of primary otalgia. The pathophysiological mechanism is unknown, although one of the possible contributing factors is a neurovascular conflict at the root entry zone of the intermediate nerve. The pain can be severely debilitating, and the palette of treatment options is small. OBJECTIVE : To assess the outcome of microvascular decompression (MVD) of the VII/VIII cranial nerve complex for treating INN. METHODS : We retrospectively reviewed the records of a group of 8 consecutive patients with INN who underwent MVD of the VII/VIII cranial nerve complex in the period 1994 to 2015. RESULTS : In total, 7 of the 8 patients experienced almost immediate and complete relief of pain, which remained at long-term follow-up (mean 35 mo ± 24 mo, range 8-84 mo). Postoperatively, 1 patient had a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, 3 patients experienced permanent ipsilateral hearing loss, and 3 patients had temporary complaints associated with excessive drainage of CSF. CONCLUSION : This study suggests MVD as a valid treatment for medically refractory INN. MVD carries surgical risk, but given the severity of complaints of these patients, we believe the treatment benefits outweigh the associated complications.