A Case of Hemifacial Spasm Caused by an Artery Passing Through the Facial Nerve

• DOI: 10.3340/jkns.2015.57.3.221
• Publication Date: 2015-03-23T10:07:06Z
• Authors: Chang Hyun Oh; Yu Shik Shim; Hyeonseon Park; Eun-Young Kim
• Keywords: Hemifacial spasm; Facial artery

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by unilateral facial nerve dysfunction. The usual cause involves vascular compression of the seventh cranial nerve, but an artery passing through very unusual. A 20-year-old man presented with left that had persisted for 4 years. Compression root exit zone anterior inferior cerebellar (AICA) was revealed on magnetic resonance angiography. During microvascular decompression surgery, penetration distal portion AICA observed. At penetrating site, found to have compressed and be immobilized. penetrated longitudinally split about 2 mm. compressing moved away from site secured inserting Teflon at operative site. Although disappeared in immediate postoperative period, patient continued show moderate weakness. 12 months, weakness improved mild degree. Prior performing HFS, surgeons should aware possibility rare complex anatomy, such as which cannot observed modern imaging techniques.