Histochemical Analysis of Altered Arachnoid Tissue in Patients With Paroxysmal Trigeminal Neuralgia With Concomitant Continuous Pain

Abstract

BackgroundTrigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a craniofacial pain characterized by sudden onset, brief, severe, recurrent shooting pain within one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve (CN V). Based on its clinical presentation, TN may be classified as purely paroxysmal or paroxysmal with concomitant continuous pain (CCP), previously known as typical and atypical, respectively. Microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery for releasing the CN V from a neurovascular conflict is an effective and safe treatment for TN. During MVD of patients manifesting TN with CCP, the involvement of an abnormal arachnoid tissue is a common finding. The etiology and pathophysiology behind the appearance of this tissue are unknown; however, it is more commonly found in this variant of the disease. MethodsFrom January 2015 to December 2016, a total of 330 patients diagnosed with TN were evaluated at our clinic. Among them, 31 individuals (9.4%) presented with paroxysmal TN with CCP, with 16 patients (51.6%) undergoing MVD. During surgery, samples of altered arachnoid tissue were collected from five patients and subjected to Hematoxylin-Eosin staining and immunohistochemistry for S100 and CD2 ResultsIn a long-term follow-up, 80% of patients operated by DMV remains pain free. Analysis of biopsies revealed chronic fibrosis (n=4), hyperplasia of neurothelial cells (n=3), dystrophic calcifications (n=1). Immunohistochemistry was positive for S100 (n=3) and CD20 (n=3) inflammatory markers. ConclusionChronic inflammation in the arachnoid tissue involved in paroxysmal TN with CCP could be a contributor to the pathophysiology of this variant of the disease.