Angulation of the dural venous sinuses of the posterior cranial fossa: Anatomical study with clinical and surgical applications.

Cerebral vein and dural venous sinus thromboses (CVST) account for 0.5%-1% of all strokes. Some structural factors associated with a potentially higher risk for developing CVST have been described. However, angulation of the dural venous sinuses (DVS) has yet to be studied as a structural factor. The current study was performed because this variable could be related to alterations in venous flow, thus predisposing to a greater risk of CVST development. Additionally, such information could help shed light on venous sinus stenosis (VSS) at or near the transverse-sigmoid junction. The angulations formed in the different segments of the grooves of the transverse (TS), sigmoid (SS), and superior sagittal sinuses (SSS) were measured in 52 skulls (104 sides). The overall angulation of the TS groove was measured using two reference points. Other variables were examined, such as the communication pattern at the sinuses' confluence and the sinus grooves' lengths and widths. The patterns of communication between sides were compared statistically. The most typical communication pattern at the sinuses' confluence was a right-dominant TS groove (82.98%). The mean angulations of the entire left TS groove at two different points (A and B) were 46° and 43°. Those of the right TS groove were 44° and 45°. The median angulations of the left and right SSS-transverse sinus junction grooves were 127° and 124°. The mean angulations of the left and right TS-SSJsv grooves were 111° (range 82°-152°) and 103° (range 79°-130°). Differentiating normal and abnormal angulations of the DVSs of the posterior cranial fossa can help to explain why some patients are more susceptible to pathologies affecting the DVSs, such as CVST and VSS. Future application of these findings to patients with such pathologies is now necessary to extrapolate our results.

External validation of TICI-ASPECTS-glucose score as a predictive model for symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage following mechanical thrombectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The indication for mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) secondary to large vessel occlusion has substantially increased in the past few years, but predictors of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) remain largely unstudied. A recent study assessing these predictors, led to the development of the TICI-ASPECTS-glucose (TAG) score, an internally validated model to predict sICH following thrombectomy. METHODS: To externally validate this scoring system and identify other potential risk factors for hemorrhagic conversion following endovascular therapy for AIS, 420 consecutive patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy from 2014-2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Data were collected pertaining to admission factors, procedural metrics, and functional outcomes. The components comprising the TAG score consist of modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) score (mTICI 0-2a=2 points; 2b-3=0 points), Alberta stroke program early CT (ASPECTS) score (<6=4 points, 6-7=2 points, ≥8=0 points), and glucose (≥150 mg/dL=1 point, <150 mg/dL=0 points). Statistical analyses including univariate analysis, logistic regression analysis, and area under the receiver-operating curve (AUROC) were performed to validate the predictive capability of the model. RESULTS: The patients with sICH presented with lower ASPECTS (8.13±1.55 v 9.16±1.24, p < 0.001), but no significant correlation with mTICI scores and admission glucose was observed. Decreasing ASPECTS correlated with increased risk of sICH (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.25-1.96, p < 0.001), and increasing TAG score was associated with increased sICH (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.11-1.94, p < 0.01). AUROC of the model was 0.633. Stratifying patients into low (TAG 0-2), intermediate,3,4 and high5-7 risk groups identified similar results to the original study with sICH risks of 5.2%, 10.5%, and 33.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The TICI-ASPECTS-glucose (TAG) score adequately predicts sICH following mechanical thrombectomy, and appropriately stratifies individual patient risk. Further inclusion of additional predictors of sICH would likely yield a more robust model.

Angioarchitectural features amongst patients with unruptured brain arteriovenous malformations presenting with headache: findings from a single center retrospective review of 76 patients.

BACKGROUND: Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) consist of abnormal connections between arteries and veins via an interposing nidus. While hemorrhage is the most common presentation, unruptured AVMs can present with headaches, seizures, neurological deficits, or be found incidentally. It remains unclear as to what AVM characteristics contribute to pain generation amongst unruptured AVM patients with headaches. METHODS: To assess this relationship, the current study evaluates angiographic and clinical features amongst patients with unruptured brain AVMs presenting with headache. Loyola University Medical Center medical records were queried for diagnostic codes corresponding to AVMs. In patients with unruptured AVMs, we analyzed the correlation between the presenting symptom of headache and various demographic and angiographic features. RESULTS: Of the 144 AVMs treated at our institution between 1980 and 2017, 76 were unruptured and had sufficient clinical data available. Twenty-three presented with headaches, while 53 patients had other presenting symptoms. Patients presenting with headache were less likely to have venous stenosis compared to those with a non-headache presentation (13 % vs. 36 %, p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the absence of venous stenosis may contribute to headache symptomatology. This serves as a basis for further study of correlations between AVM angioarchitecture and symptomatology to direct headache management in AVM patients.

Multiple intracranial aneurysms in a patient with type I Gaucher disease: a case report and literature review.

Multiple intracranial aneurysms (IAs) have never been reported in a patient with Gaucher disease (GD). A 69-year-old-female with type I GD presented with a left sixth nerve palsy due to a large posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm. Cerebral angiography demonstrated fifteen unruptured IAs (UIAs).

Stent-assisted coil embolization of MCA aneurysm via a trans-posterior communicating artery access.

External carotid artery (ECA) to internal carotid artery (ICA) bypass is a well-established procedure for the treatment of chronic ischemic diseases of the carotid artery. Rarely de novo aneurysms can develop at the site of anastomosis. The treatment of these aneurysms can be very challenging due to various factors, including the presence of graft, previous craniotomy, atherosclerotic vessels, and lack of direct access. In this video the authors report and discuss the management of a right middle cerebral artery (MCA) wide-necked de novo aneurysm by stent-assisted coiling through a retrograde trans-posterior communicating artery access.The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/MBKolPvOErU.

Evaluation of the Intracranial Flow Alteration during Manual Syringe and Continuous Pump Aspiration.

GOALS: While mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of acute large vessel occlusions, adjunctive measures, such as balloon guide catheters (BGC) and aspiration techniques, are utilized heterogeneously. Clarifying the effects of aspiration applied to the anterior cerebral circulation with proximal flow arrest can shed light on embolic protection during MT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Manual and pump aspiration were applied through a BGC in a synthetic cerebrovascular model with a 60 ml syringe and a Penumbra pump, respectively. Flow direction was observed during the procedure with fluorescent particles and ultraviolet light. Flow rates were monitored at the simulated internal carotid artery and middle cerebral artery (MCA). FINDINGS: Both aspiration methods produced retrograde flow in all the modeled cerebrovascular segments. In the syringe aspiration methods, an interval phase occurred during the experimental trial in which suction forces paused and MCA flow became anterograde through posterior communication artery collateral circulation. CONCLUSION: Flow patterns vary with different methods of aspiration. With proximal flow arrest, continuous aspiration methods induce constant retrograde flow in all vessels, whereas manual aspiration demonstrates various flow changes, including periods of anterograde flow during the procedure, which may be less effective at distal re-embolization prevention.

Intra-Arterial Alteplase Thrombolysis during Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Intra-arterial alteplase (IA tPA) is commonly used during mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke in patients with large-vessel occlusion, but specific indications and applications for its use remain undefined. METHODS: We analyzed 40 patients who underwent stent-retriever mechanical thrombectomy, 28 of whom received adjunctive IA tPA. To our knowledge, this is the largest cohort with this concomitant treatment reported in the literature in the post-mechanical thrombectomy trial era. RESULTS: Between patients with and without IA tPA, rates of hemorrhagic conversion, neurologic outcome, and mortality were equivalent, with a trend toward improved angiographic revascularization observed in the IA tPA group. CONCLUSIONS: IA tPA is a safe adjunct to mechanical thrombectomy, and more investigation is warranted to understand ideal indications and dosage methodologies.

Bilateral Through-and-Through Trajectory of a Low-Velocity Transcranial Penetrating Foreign Object in a Twelve-Month-Old.

A 12-month-old girl sustained a penetrating intracranial trauma of a thin aluminum rod traversing from the left frontal bone and exiting the right occipital bone. The rod entered the left anterior frontal lobe, traveled through the ventricular system, narrowly missed the right posterior cerebral artery by less than 1 mm and exited through the right cerebellum. The rod was surgically extracted, and the child remained neurologically intact. Pre- and postoperative vascular imaging, antibiotics, seizure prophylaxis and surgical planning are paramount to successful care of these delicate cases.

Long-term quality of life outcomes in patients undergoing microsurgical resection of vestibular schwannoma.

Background: While previous studies have assessed patient reported quality of life (QOL) of various vestibular schwannoma (VS) treatment modalities, few studies have assessed QOL as related to the amount of residual tumor and need for retreatment in a large series of patients. Objective: To assess patient reported QOL outcomes following VS resection with a focus on extent of resection and retreatment. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed using single-center institutional data of adult patients who underwent VS resection by the senior authors between 1989-2018 at Loyola University Medical Center. The Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality of Life (PANQOL) survey was sent to all patients via postal mail. Results: Fifty-five percent of 367 total patients were female with a mean age of 61.6 years (SD 12.63). The mean period between surgery and PANQOL response was 11.4 years (IQR: 4.74-7.37). The median tumor size was 2 cm (IQR: 1.5-2.8). The mean total PANQOL score was 70 (SD 19). Patients who required retreatment reported lower overall scores (µdiff = -10.11, 95% CI: -19.48 to -0.74; p = 0.03) and face domain scores (µdiff = -20.34, 95% CI: -29.78 to -10.91; p < .001). There was no association between extent of resection and PANQOL scores in any domain. Conclusion: In an analysis of 367 patients who underwent microsurgical resection of VS, extent of resection did not affect PANQOL scores in contrast to previous reports in the literature, while the need for retreatment and facial function had a significant impact on patient-reported outcomes.

Is There a Plateau to the Learning Curve for Acoustic Neuroma Resection?-Experience and Outcomes from a Single Interdisciplinary Team Over Thirty Years.

Objective The evolution of acoustic neuroma (AN) care continues to shift focus on balancing optimized tumor resection and control with preservation of neurological function. Prior learning curve analyses of AN resection have demonstrated a plateau between 20 and 100 surgeries. In this study of 860 consecutive AN surgeries, we investigate the presence of an extended learning curve tail for AN resection. Methods A retrospective cohort study of AN resections by a single interdisciplinary team between 1988 and 2018 was performed. Proportional odds models and restricted cubic splines were used to determine the association between the timing of surgery and odds of improved postoperative outcomes. Results The likelihood of improved postoperative House-Brackmann (HB) scores increased in the first 400 procedures, with HB 1 at 36% in 1988 compared with 79% in 2004. While the probability of a better HB score increased over time, there was a temporary decrease in slope of the cubic spline between 2005 and 2009. The last 400 cases continued to see improvement in optimal HB outcomes: adjusted odds of HB 1 score were twofold higher in both 2005 to 2009 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.38-3.22, p < 0.001) and 2010 to 2018 (aOR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.49-3.19, p < 0.001). Conclusion In contrast to prior studies, our study demonstrates the steepest growth for learning, as measured by rates of preservation of facial function outcomes (HB 1), occurs in the first 400 AN resections. Additionally, improvements in patient outcomes continued even 30 years into practice, underlining the importance of lifelong learning.

Operator assessment versus core laboratory adjudication of recanalization following endovascular treatment of acute ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Successful recanalization after endovascular thrombectomy serves as the primary endpoint in clinical trials and is a crucial predictor of long-term outcomes. Radiographic outcomes for various interventions have been shown to vary based on the type of interpreter, including the site interventionalist compared with an independent reader. OBJECTIVE: To compare angiographic outcomes in stroke thrombectomy procedures based on the type of reader. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web-of-Science through February 2022. We included primary studies that reported core laboratory-read and operator angiographic outcomes after mechanical thrombectomy for ischemic stroke. Furthermore, study-defined successful recanalization data were collected. RESULTS: Eight studies were included with 4797 patients, 51.2% of whom were male. Four thousand, four hundred and thirty-one patients had core readings, and 4211 had operator readings. Study-defined successful recanalization was significantly higher for operator (84%, 3543/4211) examinations than for core laboratory-read (78.4%, 3476/4431) examinations (p<0.001; OR=1.462, 95% CI 1.175 to 1.819). The modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) scale score of ≥2 b was higher for operator (85%, 3341/3929) examinations than for core laboratory-read (78.6%, 3107/3952) examinations (p<0.001; OR=1.349, 95% CI 1.071 to 1.701). mTICI 3 was significantly higher for operator (54.6%, 1000/1832) examinations than for core laboratory-read (39.9%, 731/1832) examinations (p<0.001; OR=1.823, 95% CI 1.598 to 2.081). CONCLUSION: Operator angiographic reads are statistically significantly higher than core laboratory-read readings following stroke thrombectomy, especially for complete recanalization. These differences should be considered when interpreting reports of angiographic outcomes after thrombectomy.

Dural sinus septum as an underlying cause of intrinsic venous sinus stenosis: Anatomical, clinical, and stent placement considerations.

Recently, an interesting study regarding "Dural sinus septum: an underlying cause of cerebral venous sinus stenting failure and complications." was published, to our knowledge, being the launching point of the clinical/interventional applications of this intraluminal variation. Herein, we wish to highlight paramount anatomical, clinical, and stent placement considerations related to DSS located in the dural venous sinus at the posterior cranial fossa and the interventional complications caused by the presence of this variation during stenting procedures.

Effect of Stent Porosity, Platelet Function Test Usage, and Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Duration on Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes After Stenting for Cerebral Aneurysms: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The use of stents with various porosities for treating cerebral aneurysms requires dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) without clear guidelines on the utility of platelet function tests (PFTs) and the duration of DAPT. We sought to determine the effects of stent porosity, PFT usage, and DAPT duration on the radiographic and clinical outcomes after stenting of cerebral aneurysms. METHODS: PubMed was searched on March 29, 2021 for studies of cerebral aneurysm stenting that had specified the stent type and DAPT duration. A random effects meta-analysis was used to measure the prevalence of nonprocedural thrombotic and hemorrhagic events, clinical outcomes, aneurysm occlusion, and in-stent stenosis stratified by stent porosity, PFT usage, and DAPT duration. RESULTS: The review yielded 105 studies (89 retrospective and 16 prospective) with 117 stenting cohorts (50 high porosity, 17 intermediate porosity, and 50 low porosity). In the high-, intermediate-, and low-porosity stenting cohorts, PFT usage was 26.0%, 47.1%, and 62.0% and the mean DAPT duration was 3.51 ± 2.33, 3.97 ± 1.92, and 5.18 ± 2.27 months, respectively. The intermediate-porosity stents showed a reduced incidence of hemorrhagic events (π = 0.32%) compared with low-porosity stents (π = 1.36%; P = 0.01) and improved aneurysm occlusion (π = 6.18%) compared with high-porosity stents (π = 14.42%; P = 0.001) and low-porosity stents (π = 11.71%; P = 0.04). The prevalence of in-stent stenosis was lower for the intermediate-porosity (π = 0.57%) and high-porosity (π = 1.51%) stents than for the low-porosity stents (π = 3.30%; P < 0.05). PFT use had resulted in fewer poor clinical outcomes (π = 3.54%) compared with those without PFT use (π = 5.94%; P = 0.04). The DAPT duration had no effect on the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In the present meta-analysis, which had selected for studies of cerebral aneurysm stenting that had reported the DAPT duration, intermediate-porosity stents and PFT use had resulted significantly improved outcomes. No effect of DAPT duration could be detected.

Visualization of mouse pancreas architecture using MR microscopy.

Pancreatic diseases, which include diabetes, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer, are often difficult to detect and/or stage, contributing to a reduced quality of life and lifespan for patients. Thus, there is need for a technology that can visualize tissue changes in the pancreas, improve understanding of disease progression, and facilitate earlier detection in the human population. Because of low spatial resolution, current clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at low field strength has yet to fully visualize the exocrine, endocrine, vascular, and stromal components of the pancreas. We used high field strength magnetic resonance microscopy (µMRI) to image mouse pancreas ex vivo without contrast agents at high spatial resolution. We analyzed the resulting high-resolution images using volume rendering to resolve components in the pancreas, including acini, islets, blood vessels, and extracellular matrix. Locations and dimensions of pancreatic components as seen in three-dimensional µMRI were compared with histological images, and good correspondence was found. Future longitudinal studies could expand on the use of in vivo µMRI in mouse models of pancreatic diseases. Capturing three-dimensional structural changes through µMRI could help to identify early cellular and tissue changes associated with pancreatic disease, serving as a mode of improved detection in the clinic for endocrine and exocrine pathologies.

Endovascular catheter manometry reliability: a benchtop validation study.

OBJECTIVE: Catheter manometry is used frequently in neuroendovascular surgery for assessing cerebrovascular pathology. The accuracy of pressure data with different catheter setups requires further validation. METHODS: In a silicone human vascular model with a pulsatile pump, pressure measurements were taken through multiple arrangements of 2 guide catheters and 6 microcatheters. The systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, mean pressure, pulse pressure, and area under the curve of the waveform were recorded through catheters with controls at arterial blood pressure ranges. Linear regression modeling was performed, correlating transduction area and relative pulse pressure. Thresholds for acceptable accuracy were ≥ 90%. RESULTS: Mean pressure demonstrated < 4% variation between all 24 catheter setups and respective controls. A strong linear correlation (r2 = 0.843, p < 0.0005) between microcatheter transduction area and relative pulse pressure with a threshold of 0.50 mm2 was seen (i.e., 0.031-inch inner diameter [ID]). For guide catheters with indwelling microcatheters, there was also a strong linear correlation (r2 = 0.840, p < 0.0005) of transduction area to pulse pressure. The guide catheters with obstructing microcatheters required a transduction area over fourfold higher compared with unobstructed microcatheters (2.21 mm2 vs 0.50 mm2). CONCLUSIONS: Mean pressure measurements are accurate through microcatheters as small as 0.013-inch ID. Pulse pressure and waveform morphology may require a microcatheter ≥ 0.031-inch ID to achieve 90% accuracy, although the 0.027-inch ID microcatheter reached 85% accuracy. A 0.070-inch guide catheter with a microcatheter ≤ 0.042-inch outer diameter (e.g., Marksman 0.027-inch ID or smaller) allows accurate transduction of pulse pressure. Further validation of these benchtop findings is necessary before application in a clinical setting.

A new era in the treatment of wide necked bifurcation aneurysms: Intrasaccular flow disruption.

Wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms (WNBAs) are challenging lesions to treat via both open surgical and endovascular techniques. Presently, there are 3 intrasaccular devices available to address many of the limitations of prior techniques, all of which are at different phases of approval for human use around the world. These devices include the Woven EndoBridge (WEB®) made by MicroVention, the Artisse™ Embolization Device made by Medtronic, and the Contour Neurovascular System™ made by Cerus Endovascular. Although heterogenous in design, these devices rely on the principle of using fine mesh overlying the aneurysm neck to slow blood inflow, promoting stagnation and thrombosis that ultimately leads to healing across the neck and exclusion from the circulation. While our understanding improves as long-term occlusion rates from these devices continue to be studied, the safety profiles and short-term success rates demonstrated in recent studies provide optimism for these innovative intrasaccular devices for the treatment of WNBAs. In this paper, we review these 3 intra-saccular flow disruption devices for use in WNBAs and summarize recent literature and studies of their effectiveness and safety.

Comparison of transarterial n-BCA and Onyx embolization of brain arteriovenous malformations: A single-center 18-year retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Brain arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are commonly treated with endovascular embolization. Due to the rapid evolution of endovascular technology and lack of consistent practice guidelines regarding AVM embolization, further study of AVM embolization outcomes is warranted. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of AVMs embolized at a single center from 2002-2019. Patient demographics, AVM characteristics, intention of embolization, and angiographic and clinical outcome after embolization were recorded. We compared the embolization results of those treated with n-butyl cyanoacrylate (n-BCA) and Onyx. RESULTS: Over an 18-year period at our institution, 30 (33%) of 92 AVMs were treated with embolization. n-BCA was used in 12 cases and Onyx in 18 cases. Eighty-seven pedicles were embolized over 47 embolization sessions. Fifty percent of AVMs treated with n-BCA underwent more than one embolization session compared to 22% when Onyx was used. The median total percent volume reduction in the n-BCA AVMs was 52% compared to 51% in Onyx AVMs. There were 2 periprocedural complications in the n-BCA cohort and none in the Onyx cohort. CONCLUSIONS: In this small retrospective series, Onyx and n-BCA achieved similar occlusion results, although n-BCA required more sessions and pedicles embolized to do so.

Mechanical thrombectomy in anterior vs. posterior circulation stroke: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: High-quality evidence exists for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation (AC-LVO). The evidence for MT treatment of posterior circulation large vessel occlusion (PC-LVO) is weaker, largely drawn from lower quality studies specific to PC-LVO and extrapolated from findings in AC-LVO, and ambiguous with regards to technical success. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the technical success and functional outcomes of MT in PC-LVO versus AC-LVO patients. METHODS: We identified comparative studies reporting on patients treated with MT in AC-LVO versus PC-LVO. The primary outcome of interest was thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI) ≥ 2b. Secondary outcomes included rates of TICI 3, 90-day functional independence, first-pass-effect, average number of passes, and 90-day mortality. A separate random effects model was fit for each outcome measure. RESULTS: Twenty studies with 12,911 patients, 11,299 (87.5%) in the AC-LVO arm and 1612 (12.5%) in the PC-LVO arm, were included. AC-LVO and PC-LVO patients had comparable rates of successful recanalization [OR = 1.02 [95% CI: 0.79-1.33], p = 0.848). However, the AC-LVO group had greater odds of 90-day functional independence (OR = 1.26 [95% CI: 1.00; 1.59], p = 0.050) and lower odds of 90-day mortality (OR = 0.58 [95% CI: 0.43; 0.79], p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: MT achieves similar rates of recanalization with a similar safety profile in PC-LVO and AC-LVO patients. Patients with PC-LVO are less likely to achieve functional independence after MT. Future studies should identify PC-LVO patients who are likely to achieve favourable functional outcomes.

Sequential Flow Diversion After Nitinol Stent Placement for a Large, Matricidal Cavernous Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm: Technical Video.

The Surpass Evolve flow diverter is a novel 64-wire braided intravascular stent approved to treat unruptured large or giant saccular wide-neck or fusiform intracranial aneurysms of the intracranial internal carotid artery.1-3 Flow diverting stents have been used for the treatment of previously stented aneurysms, including residual aneurysms following prior flow diversion.5-8 This patient initially presented with a large symptomatic matricidal cavernous ICA aneurysm4 that was treated with stand-alone Neuroform Atlas stenting at an outside hospital. Here we present a video demonstrating the placement of sequential Surpass Evolve flow diverter stents within a Neuroform Atlas nitinol stent.

Occipital Neuralgia following Acoustic Neuroma Resection.

Background While postoperative outcomes of acoustic neuroma (AN) resection commonly consider hearing preservation and facial function, headache is a critical quality of life factor. Postoperative headache is described in the literature; however, there is limited discussion specific to occipital neuralgia (ON) following AN resection. Objective The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of conservative management and surgery. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of 872 AN patients who underwent resection at our institution between 1988 and 2017 and identified 15 patients (1.9%) that met International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria for ON. Results Of the 15 ON patients, surgical approaches included 13 (87%) retrosigmoid (RS), one (7%) translabyrinthine (TL), and one (7%) combined RS + TL. Mean clinical follow-up was 119 months (11-263). Six (40%) patients obtained pain relief through conservative management, while the remaining nine (60%) underwent surgery or ablative procedure. Three (38%) patients received an external neurolysis, four (50%) received a neurectomy, one (13%) had both procedures, and one (13%) received two C2 to 3 radio frequency ablations. Of the nine patients who underwent procedural ON treatment, seven (78%) patients achieved pain relief, one patient (11%) continued to have pain, and one patient (11%) was lost to follow-up. Of the six patients whose pain was controlled with conservative management and nerve blocks, five (83%) found relief by using neuropathic pain medication and one (17%) found relief on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Conclusion Our series demonstrates success with conservative management in some, but overall a minority (40%) of patients, reserving decompression only for refractory cases.