Arteries in contact with the cisternal portion of the facial nerve in autopsy cases: Mmicrosurgical anatomy for neurovascular decompression surgery of hemifacial spasm

1990 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshio Matsushima ◽  
Tooru Inoue ◽  
Masashi Fukui
1998 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 605-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Ryu ◽  
Seiji Yamamoto ◽  
Kenji Sugiyama ◽  
Kenichi Uemura ◽  
Tsunehiko Miyamoto

✓ It is generally accepted that hemifacial spasm (HFS) and trigeminal neuralgia are caused by compression of the facial nerve (seventh cranial nerve) or the trigeminal nerve (fifth cranial nerve) at the nerve's root exit (or entry) zone (REZ); thus, neurosurgeons generally perform neurovascular decompression at the REZ. Neurosurgeons tend to ignore vascular compression at distal portions of the seventh cranial nerve, even when found incidentally while performing neurovascular decompression at the REZ of that nerve, because compression of distal portions of the seventh cranial nerve has not been regarded as a cause of HFS. Recently the authors treated seven cases of HFS in which compression of the distal portion of the seventh cranial nerve produced symptoms. The anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) was the offending vessel in five of these cases. Great care must be taken not to stretch the internal auditory arteries during manipulation of the AICA because these small arteries are quite vulnerable to surgical manipulation and the patient may experience hearing loss postoperatively. It must be kept in mind that compression of distal portions of the seventh cranial nerve may be responsible for HFS in cases in which neurovascular compression at the REZ is not confirmed intraoperatively and in cases in which neurovascular decompression at the nerve's REZ does not cure HFS. Surgical procedures for decompression of the distal portion of the seventh cranial nerve as well as decompression at the REZ should be performed when a deep vascular groove is noticed at the distal site of compression of the nerve.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 997-1003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis E. McDonnell ◽  
Bahman Jabbari ◽  
Giovana Spinella ◽  
Gustave H. Mueller ◽  
Peter M. Klara

Abstract We report two unusual cases of delayed hearing loss after neurovascular decompression of structures within the cerebellopontine angle. In the first case, the patient noted a unilateral hearing loss 3 weeks after undergoing vascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve for tic douloureux. This gradually improved over an 18-month period. In the second case, the patient awoke on the 4th day after vascular decompression of the facial nerve for hemifacial spasm with a bilateral hearing loss that has remained unchanged after the onset. These are examples of delayed acoustic dysfunction occurring with a shift in surgically freed vessels and may have been induced by newly directed neurovascular compression or distortion.


1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 32-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Yamashita ◽  
S. Okamoto ◽  
K. Hosotani ◽  
S. Nakatsu ◽  
M. Hojo ◽  
...  

There have never been functional studies in the diagnosis of hemifacial spasm caused by neurovascular compression. We used neurointerventional techniques to conduct a functional investigation of the artery responsible for hemifacial spasm in seven patients. A microcatheter was inserted into the various arteries of the posterior circulation under systemic heparinization, and its effect on the spasm was evaluated clinically and electromyographically. In six patients who underwent microvascular decompression surgery, the vessels compressing the root exit zone of the facial nerve were surgically determined, and compared with the result of the procedure. The catheter was inserted into twelve arteries. The spasms were stopped immediately and completely by the insertion of the catheter into seven arteries. Six of them were surgically proven to compress the root exit zone of the facial nerve. The spasm was changed in frequency or in type by the insertion into two arteries. These arteries were also compressing the root exit zone. One artery was located at a more peripheral part of it and the other was running over another artery compressing the root exit zone. The spasms were not affected at all by the insertion into three arteries. These arteries were not observed in the operative field and had no contact with the nerve. Superselective ‘angiograms showedpositional qnd configurational changes of the arteries. There was no arterial spasm and tight catheterization leading to stasis of contrast material within the arteries. There were no complications related to the procedures. Functional relationship between the artery and the spasms was established in all the patients, and one patient refused surgery because the frequency of the spasm was reduced by the procedure. The result of this study may suggest that a functional investigation of hemifacial spasm is feasible and seems useful for selecting good candidates for microvascular decompression surgery.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 66 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seunghoon Lee ◽  
Kwan Park

Abstract INTRODUCTION Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the most effective and curative treatment option for neurovascular compression syndrome and it is increasingly performed around the world. This study aimed to identify and describe the most technically difficult cases, which were the patients with penetrating offending vessel through the facial nerve, from our experiences and to give surgical tips for the successful MVD. METHODS Surgical records and intraoperative video of hemifacial spasm patients with penetrating offending vessels were reviewed. Interposition of Teflon felt between nerve and vessel was pursued, and neurectomy was avoided as much as possible. RESULTS Five patients with hemifacial spasm were identified as having a penetrating offending vessel through the facial nerve during the last 5 yr of MVD surgery in our institution. Four AICAs and one PICA were the causative vessels. Partial neurectomy was required in 1 patient. During the median follow-up of 6 mo (range, 1-26), all patients were spasm-free. No patients including the one with partial neurectomy were involved in facial palsy or hearing loss. CONCLUSION MVD in HFS patients with penetrating offending vessel through the facial nerve is the most surgically challenging and demands a high surgical skill. Interposition with Teflon felt is effective and neurectomy should be avoided. Intraoperative monitoring of free-running EMG and abnormal muscle response are helpful to decide the extent of surgery.


Author(s):  
Selly Marisdina ◽  
Henry Sugiharto ◽  
A Pradian

Back Ground: Hemifacial spasm is one of movement disorder case that commonly found in daily clinical practice. Epidemiological data are very limited, the average prevalence is 11 per 100,000 population, 14.5 per 100,000 in women and 7.4 per 100,000 in men. In Germany, the estimated prevalence is 8000 to 9000 peoples.1 The incidence of women is more than that of men with a ratio of 2:1. Based on Yaltho and Jankovic study in 2011, out of 215 patients, the ratio of men to women was 1:1.8.2 One study in Indonesia also reported that most of the subjects were female (64.7%).3 Treatment with botulinum toxin injections is preferred to microvascular decompression surgery therapy, but this injection is only effective in a few months and quite expensive. This study is the first study to assess the effectiveness of dry needling on clinical improvement of hemifacial spasm compared to standard therapy of botulinum toxin injection.Methods: The study design was quasi experimental. Total of 24 subjects were divided into two groups. The first group underwent dry needling intervention while the other had botulinum injection. Clinical severity before and after treatment in both groups was assessed using Jankovic and HFS7 scores.Results: In dry needling group there were significant differences between Jankovic and HFS7 score at baseline and at week 1, 2, 3 and 4. While in botox group significant differences were also Jankovic and HFS7 score at baseline and at weeks 2 and 4. There were also a significant difference of Jankovic and HFS7 score when we compared dry needling group to botulinum toxin group.Conclusion: Dry needling can be an alternative treatment for hemifacial spasm, although clinical improvements based on Jankovic and HFS7 scores in dry needling group were not as effective as those with botulinum toxin injections.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. E371-E371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustafa Efkan Colpan ◽  
Zeki Sekerci

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: We report on a patient with a Chiari I malformation presenting with right hemifacial spasm. Clinicians should consider the downward displacement of the hindbrain as a rare cause of hemifacial spasm in Chiari I malformation. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: An 18-year-old man was admitted with right hemifacial spasm. The results of the neurological examination were normal except for the facial spasm. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a Chiari I malformation without syringomyelia. After surgery, the hemifacial spasm completely resolved. INTERVENTION: Posterior fossa decompression, C1 laminectomy, and duraplasty were performed. CONCLUSION: The hemifacial spasm could be attributed to compression and/or traction of the facial nerve because of downward displacement of the hindbrain in Chiari I malformation. Compression and/or traction might create irritation of the facial nerve that causes hemifacial spasm. Resolution of the hemifacial spasm after posterior fossa decompression could explain the facial nerve irritation in Chiari I malformation. Clinicians should consider Chiari malformation as a cause of hemifacial spasm and posterior fossa decompression as a potential treatment.


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