Trigeminal neuralgia caused by brain arteriovenous malformations: A case report and literature review

Few cases of trigeminal neuralgia (TGN) induced by brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) have previously been reported. The present case report described one case of TGN caused by bAVMs in a 32-year-old male patient who suffered from recurrent pain in his right cheek for a period of two years, for whom the seizure frequency and duration of pain increased for 6 months. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed, which demonstrated flow-void signals in the abnormal vessels in the right cerebellopontine angle. Subsequent digital subtraction angiography confirmed the diagnosis of bAVMs, and showed the nidus was fed by the right superior cerebellar and the right anterior inferior cerebellar, and drained into the adjacent venous sinuses on the same side. The patient underwent an interventional embolization treatment. TGN was completely relieved following embolization of the majority of the bAVMs. Pain relief may be associated with blocking of the pulsatile compression of the feeding arteries of the bAVMs, the arterialized draining veins or the malformed niduses following embolization, which is similar to the effects induced by microvascular decompression surgery of the trigeminal nerve. In the present case study and review, the underlying mechanism and treatment strategy of TGN caused by bAVMs were discussed in the context of present case, and a literature review was carried out.