Microvascular decompression for intractable singultus. (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saito, Atsushi; Hatayama, Toru; Kon, Hiroyuki; Nakamura, Taigen; Sasaki, Tatsuya
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical neuroscience. Volume 32(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 120
• Page End: 122
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: Microvascular decompression -- Singultus -- Vertebral artery; Brain -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Brain -- surgery -- Periodicals; Neurosurgical Procedures -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2015.12.038
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0967-5868

Abstract

Highlights: Intractable singultus caused by central nervous lesions has been reported in 28 patients. Only two patients with intractable singultus due to cerebrovascular compression have been reported to our knowledge. We present a patient with intractable singultus due to medullary compression who improved after microvascular decompression. Abstract: Intractable singultus due to cerebrovascular disease is very rare. We report a case of intractable singultus that improved after microvascular decompression and present a literature review. The patient was a 58-year-old man with a 30-year history of persistent singultus. Its frequency and duration gradually increased and it was resistant to multiple medical treatments. Microvascular decompression to relieve pressure on the anterolateral surface of the lower medulla oblongata from the vertebral artery resulted in the resolution of singultus. Patients with intractable idiopathic singultus who fail to respond to medical therapy need to be considered for the evaluation of cerebrovascular diseases and microvascular decompression.