Hemifacial spasm secondary to vascular loop compression: a rare case report

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology

Background:

• Hemifacial spasm (HFS) involves involuntary, paroxysmal contractions of facial muscles innervated by the facial nerve.
• Etiology is broadly classified into primary (vascular compression of the facial nerve) and secondary (nerve injury from various causes).

Observation:

• A rare case of HFS in a 40-year-old female with a 4-year history of left-sided facial twitching and mouth deviation.
• Clinical presentation included left eye twitching and left-sided oral commissure deviation.

Findings:

• Brain MRI revealed a vascular anomaly at the root exit zone of the left facial nerve.
• The anomaly was identified as the cause of the patient's hemifacial spasm.

Implications:

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a crucial non-invasive tool for diagnosing hemifacial spasm.
• Accurate diagnosis through MRI aids in appropriate management and treatment strategies for HFS.