Intraoperative indocyanine green angiography during microvascular decompression surgery: report of 30 cases.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography during microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery.

Methods: The surgical outcomes of 19 patients with hemifacial spasm, nine patients with trigeminal neuralgia, and two patients with glossopharyngeal neuralgia who were treated with MVD surgery, using the posterior approach and routine craniotomy, via procedures in which ICG angiography was used were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: ICG angiography clearly displayed the nerves and blood vessels. Among the 30 patients, 25 were cured, four showed improvements, and one had a worsened outcome. There were no significant complications. Outcome was not associated with age, gender, or diagnosis.

Conclusion: Intraoperative ICG angiography used during MVD surgery provided a clear display of the nerves and arteries. All but one patient was cured or had improvement. The findings suggest that intraoperative ICG angiography may be an effective supplemental technique for use during MVD surgery.