brain stem monitoring during MVD
 

Hiya,

re; Brain-stem auditory evoked responses.


Anyone else had this done while they had an MVD?

I went today for my pre-admissions check and the baselines for the brain stem monitoring. The pre-op check was very very thorough - poked and prodded every part of me!!!

The baselines were done with electrodes - two on the top of my head and one behind each ear. They monitor the autitory response and another thing which has a "spread" when there is a compression which goes when decompression occurs!

The test was a very loud rapid click in each ear separately for 5 mins - you had to stay very relaxed which was very difficult with my bad side as the noise trigged a mega attack, it hurt SO much! Luckily my pain management techniques worked ok and I stayed relaxed - what an achievement! This meant that they got great results straight away, often they have to do this over and over!! Phew.

SO I was wondering if anyone else had had this before? I didn't for my last 2 op's!

Niki xxx

Hi, Niki,

They monitored hearing (and facial muscles) during the live MVD at the conference (mentioned it in my Conference Report) though I don't know about the "spread" part that you talked about - that sounds really neat. The monitoring they did was to reduce risks to hearing and facial nerves. When they got close to those nerves or irritated them in any way, such as when they washed the area as they were opening up, they got a response that they could see as they monitored and could keep an eye on things to be sure they settled down before proceeding. I've found something on the TNA website, but it will take me a while to sort it out - will post if I can.

That other baseline sounds interesting - can you get the name for it?

Wishing you the VERY BEST for the big day! :)

Jean

P.S. Here's a website that gives a short explanation of evoked potential studies -

http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz...al_studies.jsp

Hi Nikki,

The only thing I had was the monitoring of my hearing nerve during surgery. I had no baseline monitoring prior to surgery - it does sound very thorough though! When is your surgery? You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Kathy

Not me either. Never heard of it, but I think the more they check the better it is. I'm sorry that it triggered a bad reaction for you. Care to share some of those relaxation tips?

Niki,
I'm so happy to hear you are having your MVD. I wish you much luck! Both times I had my MVD's my doctor required an Auditory Brainstem Response test before, so they could compare it while I was having the MVD done. I guess it is to monitor the hearing nerve.

Marlene

My op is on 23rd Oct!

I shall find out more about this "spread" thing then. I'm glad that they are doing it - it certainally seems like a great idea to have anything done that they can to reduce complications and increase benefits!

I guess that they have to trigger the pain in order to look at the baselines, it certainally seemed to me as if they expected me to be in pain! I knew that loud noise can trigger my TN - but the right music can lessen pain, but these rapid, loud clicks really did do the business, I was quite shocked at the pain they generated!

Relaxation - breathing exersises mainly - and knowing that it helps! The best breathing exersise for me, is to take deep even breaths, count on each out-breath until you have done 5, then count on each in-breath until you have done 5 and then start again. It's simple but effective. The more you tense into the pain, the worse it gets! But it takes practise and courage to learn to relax - it might be best to get external help, go to a relaxation class or meditation! It's very hard to do on your ownsome :)

Thanks for your best wishes, I do hope this one works! Teflon removal, the Prof thinks I might have a teflon-induced granuloma, but I also hope that he might find another compression - you never know!

Niki xxx

Niki,

You are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope you have a good outcome! I'll be thinking of you!:)
Ellena

More monitoring info
 

Hi, Niki,

Just ran across this last night and thought it had more info than the other site - even talks about being able to monitor progress in MVD for hemi-facial spasm, which might be the "spread" they were talking about. Not sure that works for TN MVD, though - different nerve.

INTRA-OPERATIVE MONITORING

Anyway, don't want to add to your stress but info is power and it's good to know they're covering all the bases for you!

Good luck and take it easy - we'll all be thinking of you!

Jean