Hongtao Sun1, Zhengjun Wei2, Yanmin Wang2, Chenglong Liu2, Miaobin Chen2, Yunfeng Diao2. 1. The Sixth Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Armed Police Forces Logistical College, Tianjin, China. Electronic address: chenmo333@163.com. 2. The Sixth Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Armed Police Forces Logistical College, Tianjin, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hemimasticatory spasm is a rare clinical entity characterized by involuntary and paroxysmal contractions of the jaw-closing muscles on 1 side of the face. Although its cause is not fully known, vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve has been speculated. CASE DESCRIPTION: Here, we report 1 case of hemimasticatory spasm that was cured by microvascular decompression of the motor branch of the trigeminal nerve; a relevant literature review was also performed. CONCLUSIONS: Hemimasticatory spasm is a rare disease that may be recalcitrant to conservative medical therapy, and vascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve may be required to relieve the spasm.
BACKGROUND:Hemimasticatory spasm is a rare clinical entity characterized by involuntary and paroxysmal contractions of the jaw-closing muscles on 1 side of the face. Although its cause is not fully known, vascular compression of the trigeminal nerve has been speculated. CASE DESCRIPTION: Here, we report 1 case of hemimasticatory spasm that was cured by microvascular decompression of the motor branch of the trigeminal nerve; a relevant literature review was also performed. CONCLUSIONS:Hemimasticatory spasm is a rare disease that may be recalcitrant to conservative medical therapy, and vascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve may be required to relieve the spasm.