Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: microvascular decompression: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: microvascular decompression

Sample item

A fit 45-year-old with trigeminal neuralgia has failed carbamazepine and MRI shows a loop of the superior cerebellar artery compressing the nerve root. Which procedure gives the best long-term relief?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Microvascular decompression

Microvascular decompression separates the vessel from the trigeminal root and gives the longest-lasting relief in young, fit patients with neurovascular compression, preserving facial sensation. Peripheral procedures relapse in months.

Option by option

  • A. Alcohol injection of the peripheral branch

    Alcohol injection gives short-term relief and can cause neuritis.

  • B. Cryotherapy to the infraorbital nerve

    Cryotherapy provides only temporary relief.

  • C. Microvascular decompression (correct)

    Correct. Moving the offending vessel away from the root treats the cause.

  • D. Peripheral neurectomy

    Peripheral neurectomy gives temporary relief with numbness and early recurrence.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Microvascular decompression. Microvascular decompression separates the vessel from the trigeminal root and gives the longest-lasting relief in young, fit patients with neurovascular compression, preserving facial sensation.

Why is "Alcohol injection of the peripheral branch" not the answer?

Alcohol injection gives short-term relief and can cause neuritis.

Why is "Cryotherapy to the infraorbital nerve" not the answer?

Cryotherapy provides only temporary relief.

Why is "Peripheral neurectomy" not the answer?

Peripheral neurectomy gives temporary relief with numbness and early recurrence.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: microvascular decompression in Dentistry. Peripheral procedures relapse in months.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Oral and maxillofacial surgery and facial fractures: microvascular decompression?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.