Hemifacial Spasm Associated with Chiari Type I Malformation: Surgical Considerations and Case Report

Hemifacial spasm (HS) is a movement disorder characterized by paroxysmal and irregular contractions of the muscles innervated by the facial nerve. Chiari malformation type I (CM I) is a congenital disease characterized by caudal migration of the cerebellar tonsils, and surgical decompression of foramen magnum structures has been used for treatment. The association of HS with CM I is rare, and its pathophysiology and therapeutics are speculative. There are only a few cases reported in the literature concerning this association. The decompression of the posterior fossa for the treatment of CM I has been reported to relieve the symptoms of HS, suggesting a relation between these diseases. However, the possible complications of posterior fossa surgery cannot be underrated. We report the case of a 66-year-old patient, in ambulatory follow-up due to right HS, no longer responding to botulinum toxin treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the skull revealed compression of the facial nerve and CM I. The patient underwent surgery for HS by neurovascular microdecompression of the facial nerve via right lateral suboccipital craniectomy, but presented significant clinical worsening in the postoperative period even though the cerebellum edema related to surgical manipulation was mild. Due to the clinical worsening, the patient underwent a median suboccipital craniectomy with decompression of the foramenmagnum structures. After this second surgery, the patient had progressive improvement and was discharged from the hospital for ambulatory care.

Microvascular Compressicaude by Slinging a Tortuous Vertebrobasilar Artery to the Petrous Dura in Hemifacial Spasm: Technical Note

Objective In cases of hemifacial spasm caused by a tortuous vertebrobasilar artery (TVBA), the traditional treatment technique involves Teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene), which can be ineffective and fraught with recurrence and neurological complications. In such cases, there are various techniques of arteriopexy using adhesive compositions, 'suspending loops' made of synthetic materials, dural or fascial flaps, surgical sutures passed around or through the vascular adventitia, as well as fenestrated aneurysmal clips. In the present paper, we describe a new technique of slinging the vertebral artery (VA) to the petrous dura for microvascular decompression (MVD) in a patient with hemifacial spasm caused by a TVBA. Method A 50-year-old taxi driver presented with a left-sided severe hemifacial spasm. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain showed a large tortuous left-sided vertebral artery impinging and compressing the exit/entry zone of the 7th and 8th nerve complex. After a craniotomy, a TVBAwas found impinging and compressing the entry zone of the 7th and 8th nerve complex. Arachnoid bands attaching the artery to the nerve complex and the pons were released by sharp microdissection. Through the upper part of the incision, a 2.5 1 cmtemporal fascia free flap was harvested. After the fixation of the free flap, a 6­0 prolene suture was passed through its length several times using the traditional Bengali sewing and stitching techniques to make embroidered quilts called Nakshi katha. The'prolenated' fascia was passed around the compressing portion of the VA. Both ends of the fascia were brought together and stitched to the posterior petrous dura to keep the TVBA away from the 7th and 8th nerves and the pons. Result The patient had no hemifacial spasm immediately after the recovery from the anesthesia. A postoperative MRI of the brain showed that the VA was away from the entry zone of the 7th and 8th nerves.

Análise da ceratometria corneana em pacientes portadores de espasmo hemifacial / Analysis of corneal keratometry in patients with hemifacial spasm

OBJETIVO: Determinar a variação da ceratometria em olhos de pacientes portadores de espasmo hemifacial submetidos a tratamento com toxina botulínica. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos 18 pacientes portadores de espasmo hemifacial que foram submetidos ao exame oftalmológico completo, além da topografia corneana e Orbscan previamente à aplicação de toxina botulínica tipo A e 1 mês após o procedimento. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre a ceratometria encontrada pela topografia corneana ou diferença no BFS ("best fit sphere") anterior e posterior e índice de Roush avaliados pelo Orbscan nos olhos acometidos pelo espasmo em relação ao olho contralateral quando comparados antes e após o procedimento. CONCLUSÃO: Neste estudo, não encontramos diferença entre olhos com espasmo hemifacial e olhos sem essa condição quando avaliados a ceratometria, o índice de Roush e o BFS corneano antes e após tratamento.

PURPOSE: To determine the corneal keratometric variation in patients' eyes with unilateral hemifacial spasm which underwent treatment with botulinum toxin and set against control group. METHODS: Eighteen patients with hemifacial spasm were submitted to complete ophthalmologic exam, corneal topography and Orbscan previously botulinum toxin application and one month afterwards. They were evaluated for keratometry, BFS (anterior and posterior) and Roush value. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences between eyes with hemi facial spasm and normal eyes related to keratometric values by topography and in the parameters evaluated by Orbscan as Roush and best fit sphere (anterior or posterior) prior to or after treatment with botulinum toxin. CONCLUSION: This study has not shown statistical difference between the corneal curvatures when compared eyes with hemi facial spasm with the opposite normal eyes.

Hemifacial seizures and cerebellar tumor: a rare co-existence.

We report a 4-year-old boy with multiple daily episodes of abnormal eye movements, hemifacial spasms. Neuro-imaging revealed a cerebellar tumor. We believe that this association constitutes a rare but important syndrome of epilepsy characterized by seizures of cerebellar origin.

Avaliação do filme lacrimal de pacientes com distonia facial durante tratamento com toxina botulínica tipo A / Lacrimal film evaluation of patients with facial dystonia during botulinum toxin type A treatment

OBJETIVO: Determinar o efeito da toxina botulínica no filme lacrimal em pacientes com distonia facial. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos 24 pacientes portadores de blefaroespasmo essencial e espasmo hemifacial que receberam aplicação de toxina botulínica tipo A que foram submetidos à propedêutica do filme lacrimal previamente à aplicação e após, com 7 e 30 dias. RESULTADOS: Houve diminuição das queixas de olho seco trinta dias após a aplicação, entretanto, o tempo de ruptura do filme lacrimal e o teste de Schirmer não demonstraram variação significativa entre os períodos pré-tratamento e 1 mês da aplicação. Em relação ao teste de coloração com rosa bengala, todos os olhos que coraram no pré-tratamento, melhoraram na última avaliação. CONCLUSÃO: A injeção de toxina botulínica pode aliviar as queixas de olho seco nos pacientes com distonia facial pela provável ação de inibição do orbicular na sua função de bomba lacrimal.