Hemifacial spasm: a report of 100 cases treated by microvascular decompression

ABSTRACT

100 patients with hemifacial spasm treated by microvascular decompression are presented. There were 60 females and 40 males. Their ages ranged from 29 to 75 years with a medium age of 54 years, and the left side was involved predominantly. The common focal signs were facial nerve palsy in 41 cases, diminished hearing in 14 cases, trigeminal neuralgia in 11 cases, and homolateral trigeminal neuralgia in four cases. All of the patients underwent a lateral suboccipital craniectomy. In 96 cases of manifest vascular compression, the vessels were released and isolated from the facial nerve using muscle. In those cases where veins, adhesions, arachnoidal bridging or A.V.M. were responsible, the etiological factor was approached. The results of our patients are comparable with those reported by other authors. The mortality rate was 2%