Greater petrosal nerve surgery in long-term cluster headache (author's transl)

Report on three cases with cluster headache for a period of 10 to 20 years, respectively. This was healed by resection of the greater petrosal nerve. In these patients the nerve was found in a bony canal of a length of 5 to 6 mm between the geniculate ganglion and the facial nerve hiatus. In this region the nerve was blurred free, luxated from the canal, and resected. Histological control of this part of the nerve revealed a fibrosis of the peri- and epineurium and a degeneration of some nerve fibers. Histological control in a greater number of cases is recommended.