Microvascular Compression Syndrome

Microvascular Compression Syndrome Samad Ghiasi MD , Seyed Javad Toutounchi MD
Otolaryngology Department, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Background: In microvascular compression syndrome (MCS), vertigo, tinnitus and motion intolerance, sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and hemifacial spasm are attributed to irritation of the 7- 8th cranial nerve by a blood vessel. It could cause trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia.

Objectives: Objective of this study is attention to neuro-otologic manifestations due to microvascular compression syndrome.

Methods: 36 patients ( 19 men ,17 women) with 46±23 years olds diagnosed with MCS from 2010 up 2016. Patients had some symptoms and signs of vertigo, tinnitus
and motion intolerance, disabling positional vertigo, sensory-neural hearing loss ( SNHL) and hemifacial spasm for more than 3 months .In all patient audiometry, tinnitus evaluation and MRI with gadolinium and MRA performed

Results: 22 of the patients had motion intolerance, vertigo and disabling positional vertigo with normal hearing. 8 of the patients had tinnitus and SNHL. 4 patients had vertigo, tinnitus and SNHL. Two patients had hemifacial spasm. In all patients microvascular loop that compressed nerves detected by MRI with gadolinium and MRA. In 25 of 36 patients symptoms are controlled by conservative and medical treatment. 11 patients referred to neurosurgeon for surgical intervention.

Conclusions: Etiology of neuro-otologic manifestations in some patients may could not be detected by routine investigation. Microvascular compression syndrome should be in mind as etiology of neuro-otologic manifestations.