Trigeminal Neuralgia and Microvascular Decompression Awareness
Dr. P. Jeffrey Lewis is Board Certified in Neurosurgery by both the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada and the American Board of Neurological Surgeons. He received his medical degree from the University of Toronto in 1982 and completed his Neurosurgical Residency in 1989 at the University of Alberta. Dr. Lewis' areas of emphasis include complex aneurysm and skull base surgery as well as microvascular decompression for trigeminal neuralgia. Additionally, he treats disorders in the spine including: herniated disc, degenerative disc, spinal stenosis, spinal infections, and tumors.
The excruciating facial pain of Trigeminal Neuralgia is caused by compression of the trigeminal nerve at the root entry zone by a blood vessel in 96% of cases. The offending vessel is usually a tortuous loop of the superior cerebellar artery although other vessels can be involved. The neurosurgeon can perform direct microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve. This achieves long term complete pain relief in the majority of patients and avoids destruction of the trigeminal nerve, thereby avoiding the complications of facial numbness, dysesthesia, corneal anesthesia and ulceration as well as the dreaded anesthesia dolorosa (extreme constant burning pain after neural destructive procedures).
DISCLAIMER - PLEASE READ
This Facebook page is provided as a courtesy to those interested in Trigeminal Neuralgia and Microvascular Decompression and is intended for educational purposes only. This page does not constitute medical advice and does not create any physician/patient relationship. We are unable to answer any medical questions on this site, over the telephone or by e-mail. If you have questions about your condition, diagnosis or treatment, talk to your doctor or make an appointment to see Dr. Lewis.
