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Hemifacial spasm in vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia
Marina Titlić1, Veselin Vrebalov-Cindro, Marija Lahman-Dorić
1Department of Neurology, Clinical Hospital Split, Croatia. marina.titlic@inet.hr
Acta Neurologica Belgica
|June 17, 2006
Summary
Vascular compression of the facial nerve causes hemifacial spasm (HFS). This rare case highlights vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia as a cause, best diagnosed with MRI and MRA.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
Background:
- Vascular compression of the facial nerve is a known cause of hemifacial spasm (HFS).
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) are valuable non-invasive tools for diagnosing HFS and identifying causative vascular or brain abnormalities.
Observation:
- A rare case of symptomatic HFS in a 49-year-old woman was reported.
- The patient presented with left-sided hemifacial spasm lasting 10 months.
Findings:
- MRI revealed an enlarged vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia of the left vertebral artery.
- This vascular anomaly was compressing the seventh cranial nerve (facial nerve) at its exit from the pons.
- The findings underscore MRI's essential role in diagnosing the cause of HFS.
Implications:
- This case illustrates vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia as a rare cause of HFS.
- MRI and MRA are crucial for visualizing the relationship between cranial nerves, blood vessels, and brain structures in HFS.
- The study emphasizes the importance of advanced neuroimaging in identifying uncommon vascular causes of neurological disorders.
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