González-Juárez F, Tapia-Álvarez LL, Valdés-Pineda V, Coutiño-de Toledo H

Language: Spanish
References: 4
Page: 140-143
PDF size: 262.72 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Background: Hemifacial spasms are involuntary movements characterized by intermittent tonic-clonic contractions of facial muscles; caused by ectatic vascular loops contactants with VII-VIII complex. Higher incidence in the fourth and fifth decade of life is reported; 90% of these movements start in the lower eyelids in the orbicularis oculis, 5% are bilateral and asynchronous.
Objective: To evaluate the correlation between vascular compression in hemifacial spasm and alterations in the vestibulo-cochlear complex.
Material and method: A retrospective, descriptive, observational, crosssectional study was conducted. Patients of the Neuro-otology, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery attended from 2005 to 2010. Files were reviewed including full tonal audiometry, electronystagmography and magnetic resonance. Statistical analysis was done using measures of frequency, central tendency and dispersion; X² statistical test was conducted.
Results: A total of 20 patients who met all inclusion criteria were included; 65% patients were female, mean age 52.8 years with evolution of 4.2 years, 55% with involvement of the right side. The most common site of presentation was eyelids in 45% of cases; 10% of patients had hearing loss, 15% tinnitus and 5% impaired vestibular function. The most common vascular loop affected was the anterior inferior cerebellar artery in 63% of cases.
Conclusions: No relation between cochleo-vestibular symptoms and findings of vascular loops was found. Clinical studies suggest that having greater contact angle or cranial nerve VIII is associated with increased symptoms.

REFERENCES

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