CT-guided percutaneous puncture of stylomastoid foramen and radiofrequency ablation for treatment of primary hemifacial spasm / 中华神经医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe the clinical effect of CT-guided percutaneous puncture of stylomastoid foramen and radiofrequency ablation on primary hemifacial spasm. Methods Twenty-seven patients with primary hemifacial spasm, admitted to and accepted CT-guided percutaneous puncture of stylomastoid foramen and radiofrequency ablation in our hospital from August 2018 to May 2019, were chosen in our study. Clinical data and efficacy of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results All patients were punctured to the stylomastoid foramen precisely under the guidance of CT localization; 21 could detect facial muscle twitch with 0.1-0.5 mA current, and positive results were also found in 6 patients with 0.5 mA current after adjusting the position of the needle tip. After standard radio frequency ablation (mean 83.3 ℃ for 23.7 seconds), 26 patients had complete disappearance of facial spasm, but left grade II (n=18) or grade III (n=8) facial paralysis; one patient with disappearance of abnormal electromyographic response waveform as the end criterion only partially relieved, but no facial paralysis. No facial hematoma, intracranial hemorrhage, infection, or death occurred. Follow-up for 2-12 months showed no recurrence or aggravation of facial paralysis. Conclusion CT-guided percutaneous puncture of stylomastoid foramen by radio frequency ablation can effectively treat primary hemifacial spasm, but there will be mild facial paralysis.