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Transtympanic surgery for hemifacial spasm--an electrophysiological study.
1Department of Neuro-otology, National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Queen Square, London.
Clinical Otolaryngology and Allied Sciences
|October 1, 1988
Summary
Transtympanic facial nerve needling can reduce abnormal facial muscle activity in hemifacial spasm patients. Electromyography studies show this procedure
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Neurology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Idiopathic hemifacial spasm is treated by surgically damaging the facial nerve.
- The electrophysiological effects of this surgical intervention remain uninvestigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of transtympanic facial nerve needling on facial nerve function in hemifacial spasm patients using electromyography.
Main Methods:
- Electromyography (EMG) was used to assess facial nerve function in eleven patients before and after transtympanic facial nerve needling.
Main Results:
- The majority of patients experienced a reduction in abnormal facial nerve discharges and synkinesis post-operation.
- The positive effects were temporary in some patients.
Conclusions:
- Transtympanic facial nerve needling can temporarily alleviate symptoms of hemifacial spasm.
- These findings challenge the ephaptic transmission hypothesis for hemifacial spasm.