The pioneering work accomplished by University of Pittsburgh faculty over the past quarter century has established the Minimally Invasive endoNeurosurgery Center (MINC) cranial nerve disorders and microvascular surgery program as the international leader in the management of trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm and glossopharyngeal neuralgia. There has been a significant evolution in the treatment of these conditions over the past thirty years.

Amin Kassam, MD, director of the MINC, has developed a team that can provide multimodality comprehensive treatment ranging from MVD to Gamma Knife radiosurgery. The center continues to be a world leader in the multifaceted management of disorders involving cranial nerves and is pioneering new areas of research.

In the last five years alone, more than 1,500 patients have undergone operative intervention, including 1,100 patients with trigeminal neuralgia and over 200 with hemifacial spasm. This concentrated clinical experience has provided for the refinement of the procedure and innovations such as endoscopic approaches that have allowed for preservation of cranial nerve function while optimizing results.

In addition to its unsurpassed clinical experience the center is also a leader in research activities. Optimum management for atypical trigeminal neuralgia, the impact of Botox on hemifacial spasm, and identification of patients with vertigo most likely to respond to vascular decompression are some examples of continued study. Vascular compression of the medulla as a cause of neurogenic essential hypertension and non-insulin diabetes is also being investigated.

The combination of this unique clinical and research experience has resulted in a comprehensive approach to disorders of the cranial nerves.

Disorders Treated:

Trigeminal Neuralgia (facial pain)

Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia

Hemifacial Spasm (facial twitch)

Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia (throat pain)

Vertigo (balance disorder)

Tinnitus (ringing in ears)

Geniculate Neuralgia (deep ear pain)

Occipital Neuralgia