Neurovascular compression in hemifacial spasm

Brain ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling-Ling Chan ◽  
Eng-King Tan
Keyword(s):  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Neurovascular Compression

Three-dimensional-MRI of neurovascular compression in patients with hemifacial spasm

1995 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 350-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Hosoya ◽  
N. Watanabe ◽  
K. Yamaguchi ◽  
S. Saito ◽  
O. Nakai
Keyword(s):  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Neurovascular Compression

Classification of neurovascular compression in typical hemifacial spasm: three-dimensional visualization of the facial and the vestibulocochlear nerves

2007 ◽  
Vol 107 (6) ◽  
pp. 1154-1163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramin Naraghi ◽  
Levent Tanrikulu ◽  
Regina Troescher-Weber ◽  
Barbara Bischoff ◽  
Martin Hecht ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mr Imaging ◽  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Volume Rendering ◽  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Neurosurgical Procedures ◽  
Neurovascular Compression ◽  
Direct Volume Rendering ◽  
Vestibulocochlear Nerve ◽  
Cerebellar Artery

Object In this paper, the authors introduce a method of noninvasive anatomical analysis of the facial nerve–vestibulocochlear nerve complex and the depiction of the variable vascular relationships by using 3D volume visualization. With this technique, a detailed spatial representation of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves was obtained. Patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS) resulting from neurovascular compression (NVC) were examined. Methods A total of 25 patients (13 males and 12 females) with HFS underwent 3D visualization using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with 3D constructive interference in a steady state (CISS). Each data set was segmented and visualized with respect to the individual neurovascular relationships by direct volume rendering. Segmentation and visualization of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerves were performed with reference to their root exit zone (REZ), as well as proximal and distal segments including corresponding blood vessels. The 3D visualizations were interactively compared with the intraoperative situation during microvascular decompression (MVD) to verify the results with the observed microneurosurgical anatomy. Results Of the 25 patients, 20 underwent MVD (80%). Microvascular details were recorded on the affected and unaffected sides. On the affected sides, the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) was the most common causative vessel. The posterior inferior cerebellar artery, vertebral artery, internal auditory artery, and veins at the REZ of the facial nerve (the seventh cranial nerve) were also found to cause vascular contacts to the REZ of the facial nerve. In addition to this, the authors identified three distinct types of NVC within the REZ of the facial nerve at the affected sides. The authors analyzed the varying courses of the vessels on the unaffected sides. There were no bilateral clinical symptoms of HFS and no bilateral vascular compression of the REZ of the facial nerve. The authors discovered that the AICA is the most common vessel that interferes with the proximal and distal portions of the facial nerve without any contact between vessels and the REZ of the facial nerve on the unaffected sides. Conclusions Three-dimensional visualization by direct volume rendering of 3D CISS MR imaging data offers the opportunity of noninvasive exploration and anatomical categorization of the facial nerve–vestibulocochlear nerve complex. Furthermore, it proves to be advantageous in establishing the diagnosis and guiding neurosurgical procedures by representing original MR imaging patient data in a 3D fashion. This modality provides an excellent overview of the entire neurovascular relationship of the cerebellopontine angle in each case.

CEREBELLOPONTINE ANGLE ARACHNOID CYST: A CASE OF HEMIFACIAL SPASM CAUSED BY AN ORGANIC LESION OTHER THAN NEUROVASCULAR COMPRESSION

Neurosurgery ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. E1205-E1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Mastronardi ◽  
Raymond Taniguchi ◽  
Manuela Caroli ◽  
Francesco Crispo ◽  
Luigi Ferrante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Arachnoid Cyst ◽  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Cerebellopontine Angle ◽  
Rare Case ◽  
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan ◽  
Neurovascular Compression ◽  
Resonance Imaging ◽  
Organic Lesion ◽  
History Of ◽  
Preoperative Magnetic Resonance

Abstract OBJECTIVE A rare case of cerebellopontine angle arachnoid cyst manifesting as hemifacial spasm (HFS) is reported. The patient is a 42-year-old woman with 10-month history of left HFS. A preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan showed a well-demarcated area, hypointense on T1-weighted imaging and hyperintense on T2-weighted imaging, in the left cerebellopontine angle, without contrast enhancement, resembling an arachnoid cyst. METHODS The cyst was excised with microneurosurgical technique and the facial, vestibular, and acoustic nerves were completely decompressed from the arachnoid wall. RESULTS The postoperative course was uneventful, and the left HFS disappeared immediately. Histologically, the cyst wall was a typical arachnoidal membrane. Ten months after surgery, the patient is symptom free. CONCLUSION It is well-known that in approximately 10% of cases, trigeminal neuralgia can be caused by a space-occupying mass. However, the fact that HFS can also be caused by organic lesions as well as neurovascular compression is less well-known. Although the occurrence of tumor compression causing HFS has been previously recognized, cerebellopontine angle cysts have very rarely been described. The observation of a patient with a cerebellopontine angle arachnoid cyst causing HFS prompted us to review the literature relative to HFS caused by an organic lesion rather than neurovascular compression.

Neurovascular compression findings in hemifacial spasm

2008 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 416-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio Campos-Benitez ◽  
Anthony M. Kaufmann
Keyword(s):  
Facial Nerve ◽  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Posterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery ◽  
Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery ◽  
Vascular Compression ◽  
Neurovascular Compression ◽  
Exit Point ◽  
Root Exit Zone ◽  
Cerebellar Artery

Object It is generally accepted that hemifacial spasm (HFS) is caused by pulsatile vascular compression upon the facial nerve root exit zone. This 2–3 mm area, considered synonymous with the Obersteiner–Redlich zone, is a transition zone (TZ) between central and peripheral axonal myelination that is situated at the nerve's detachment from the pons. Further proximally, however, the facial nerve is exposed on the pontine surface and emerges from the pontomedullary sulcus. The incidence and significance of neurovascular compression upon these different segments of the facial nerve in patients with HFS has not been previously reported. Methods The nature of neurovascular compression was determined in 115 consecutive patients undergoing their first microvascular decompression (MVD) for HFS. The location of neurovascular compression was categorized to 1 of 4 anatomical portions of the facial nerve: RExP = root exit point; AS = attached segment; RDP = root detachment point that corresponds to the TZ; and CP = distal cisternal portion. The severity of compression was defined as follows: mild = contact without indentation of nerve; moderate = indentation; and severe = deviation of the nerve course. Success in alleviating HFS was documented by telephone interview conducted at least 24 months following MVD surgery. Results Neurovascular compression was found in all patients, and the main culprit was the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (in 43%), posterior inferior cerebellar artery (in 31%), vertebral artery (in 23%), or a large vein (in 3%). Multiple compressing vessels were found in 38% of cases. The primary culprit location was at RExP in 10%, AS in 64%, RDP in 22%, and CP in 3%. The severity of compression was mild in 27%, moderate in 61%, and severe in 12%. Failure to alleviate HFS occurred in 9 cases, and was not related to compression location, severity, or vessel type. Conclusions The authors observed that culprit neurovascular compression was present in all cases of HFS, but situated at the RDP or Obersteiner–Redlich zone in only one-quarter of cases and rarely on the more distal facial nerve root. Since the majority of culprit compression was found more proximally on the pontine surface or even pontomedullary sulcus origin of the facial nerve, these areas must be effectively visualized to achieve consistent success in performing MVD for HFS.

scholarly journals Microvascular decompression for atypical hemifacial spasm: lessons learned from a retrospective study of 12 cases

2016 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 397-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiang Liu ◽  
Yue Yuan ◽  
Ying Fang ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
Xiao-Li Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Facial Paralysis ◽  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Neurovascular Compression ◽  
Gradual Improvement ◽  
Facial Spasm ◽  
Orbicularis Oris Muscle

OBJECT Typical hemifacial spasm (HFS) commonly initiates from the orbicularis oculi muscle to the orbicularis oris muscle. Atypical HFS (AHFS) is different from typical HFS, in which the spasm of muscular orbicularis oris is the primary presenting symptom. The objective of this study was to analyze the sites of compression and the effectiveness of microvascular decompression (MVD) for AHFS. METHODS The authors retrospectively analyzed the clinical data for 12 consecutive patients who underwent MVD for AHFS between July 2008 and July 2013. RESULTS Postoperatively, complete remission of facial spasm was found in 10 of the 12 patients, which gradually disappeared after 2 months in 2 patients. No recurrence of spasm was observed during follow-up. Immediate postoperative facial paralysis accompanied by hearing loss occurred in 1 patient and temporary hearing loss with tinnitus in 2. All 3 patients with complications had gradual improvement during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS The authors conclude that most cases of AHFS were caused by neurovascular compression on the posterior/rostral side of the facial nerve distal to the root entry zones. MVD is a safe treatment for AHFS, but the incidence of postoperative complications, such as facial paralysis and decrease in hearing, remains high.

scholarly journals Failed microvascular decompression surgery for hemifacial spasm due to persistent neurovascular compression: an analysis of reoperations

2016 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 90-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Gregory Bigder ◽  
Anthony M. Kaufmann
Keyword(s):  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Microvascular Decompression ◽  
Senior Author ◽  
Decompression Surgery ◽  
Neurovascular Compression ◽  
Exit Point ◽  
Root Exit Zone ◽  
Prior Surgery ◽  
Microvascular Decompression Surgery

OBJECT Microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery for hemifacial spasm (HFS) is potentially curative. The findings at repeat MVD in patients with persistent or recurrent HFS were analyzed with the aim to identify factors that may improve surgical outcomes. METHODS Intraoperative findings were determined from review of dictated operative reports and operative diagrams for patients who underwent repeat MVD after prior surgery elsewhere. Clinical follow-up was obtained from the hospital and clinic records, as well as telephone questionnaires. RESULTS Among 845 patients who underwent MVD performed by the senior author, 12 had been referred after prior MVD for HFS performed elsewhere. Following repeat MVD, all patients improved and complete spasm resolution was described by 11 of 12 patients after a mean follow-up of 91 ± 55 months (range 28–193). Complications were limited to 1 patient with aggravation of preexisting hearing loss and mild facial weakness and 1 patient with aseptic meningitis without sequelae. Significant factors that may have contributed to the failure of the first surgery included retromastoid craniectomies that did not extend laterally to the sigmoid sinus or inferiorly to the posterior fossa floor in 11 of 12 patients and a prior surgical approach that focused on the cisternal portion of the facial nerve in 9 of 12 patients. In all cases, significant persistent neurovascular compression (NVC) was evident and alleviated more proximally on the facial root exit zone (fREZ). CONCLUSIONS Most HFS patients will achieve spasm relief with thorough alleviation of NVC of the fREZ, which extends from the pontomedullary sulcus root exit point to the Obersteiner-Redlich transition zone.

An Atypical Presentation of Hemifacial Spasm Secondary to Neurovascular Compression

2018 ◽  
Vol 97 (3) ◽  
pp. 55-56
Author(s):  
Enrique Palacios ◽  
Radia Ksayer ◽  
Jeremy Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Hemifacial Spasm ◽  
Neurovascular Compression ◽  
Atypical Presentation
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