[Successful decompression of the facial nerve in facial spasm (author's transl)]

A case of successful surgical treatment of facial spasm by seventh nerve decompression is reported in a female patient who failed to improve by usual methods of treatment. Prior to surgery, tomography of the facial canal was obtained, and revealed an osseous spine involving the posterior wall of the canal. During surgery, this spine was uncovered and removed with pneumatized retrofacial air cells. The patient's spasm disappeared completely following surgery. The present case indicates that the possibility of osseous spines impinging on the facial nerve should be considered in all cases of facial spasm.