• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.367-375
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• 2019

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is due to the vascular compression of the facial nerve at its root exit zone (REZ). Microvascular decompression (MVD) of the facial nerve near the REZ is an effective treatment for HFS. In MVD for HFS, intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (INM) has two purposes. The first purpose is to prevent injury to neural structures such as the vestibulocochlear nerve and facial nerve during MVD surgery, which is possible through INM of brainstem auditory evoked potential and facial nerve electromyography (EMG). The second purpose is the unique feature of MVD for HFS, which is to assess and optimize the effectiveness of the vascular decompression. The purpose is achieved mainly through monitoring of abnormal facial nerve EMG that is called as lateral spread response (LSR) and is also partially possible through Z-L response, facial F-wave, and facial motor evoked potentials. Based on the information regarding INM mentioned above, MVD for HFS can be considered as a more safe and effective treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.196-198
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• 2009

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is almost always induced by vascular compression but in some cases the cause of HFS are tumors at cerebellopontine angle (CPA) or vascular malformations. We present a rare case of hemifacial spasm caused by epidermoid tumors and the possible pathogenesis of HFS is discussed. A 36-year-old female patient presented with a 27-month history of progressive involuntary facial twitching and had been treated with acupuncture and herb medication. On imaging study, a mass lesion was seen at right CPA. Microvascular decompression combined with mass removal was undertaken through retrosigmoid approach. The lesion was avascular mass and diagnosed with an epidermoid tumor pathologically. Eventually, we found a offending vessel (AICA : anterior inferior cerebellar artery) compressing facial nerve root exit zone (REZ). In case of HFS caused by tumor compression on the facial nerve REZ, surgeons should try to find an offending vessel under the mass. This case supports the vascular compression theory as a pathogenesis of HFS.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.163-171
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• 2022

Objectives : The aim of this study was to report that effect of Korean medicine treatment for patient with peripheral facial nerve palsy accompanied by hemifacial spasm through hospitalization. Methods : We treated a patient with facial nerve palsy by acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, pharmacopuncture and cupping. The effect of treatment was evaluated using the House-Brackmann scale, the Yanagihara grading system, and the visual analogue scale(VAS). Results : During the 18 days hospitalization period, the symptoms of hemifacial spasm disappeared and the facial palsy improved. The House-Brackmann scale changed from 4 grade to 2 grade, the Yanagihara grading system changed from 19 to 47, and the VAS changed from 3 to 0. Conclusions : This case report suggests that Korean medicine could be effective for facial palsy accompanied by hemifacial spasms.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.304-307
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• 2017

A 19-year-old male patient presented with facial hemi-atrophy with unilateral spasms of the masseter and temporalis muscles. Ultrasound therapy and Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation therapy, known as combination therapy, were given on alternate days for 2 weeks. At the end of 2 weeks of combination therapy the patient reported a drastic reduction in the number of episodes of muscle spasm. The visual analog scale score for tenderness of the masseter and temporalis was also markedly reduced. No one has previously used combination therapy for the treatment of facial hemi-atrophy with hemi-facial spasms. The encouraging results of the combination therapy has prompted us to document this study.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.355-362
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• 2007

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is characterized by tonic clonic contractions of the muscles innervated by the ipsilateral facial nerve. Compression of the facial nerve by an ectatic vessel is widely recognized as the most common underlying etiology. HFS needs to be differentiated from other causes of facial spasms, such as facial tic, ocular myokymia, and blepharospasm. To understand the overall craniofacial abnormalities and to perform the optimal surgical procedures for HFS, we are to review the prevalence, pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, details of each treatment modality, usefulness of brainstem auditory evoked potentials monitoring, debates on the facial EMG, clinical course, and complications from the literature published from 1995 to the present time.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.75-87
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is research on facial palsy sequelae and evaluating scale that have studied insufficiently until now. Methods : We researched on the symptoms, epidemiology and evaluating scale of facial palsy sequelae. For this, we searched the research papers on facial palsy sequelae and the clinical papers that find out the effect of treatment by evaluating facial palsy sequelae. Results : The symptoms of facial palsy sequelae are synkinesis, contracture, spasm, crocodile tears syndrome, tearing decrease, gustation impairment, hearing impairment, tinnitus, hyperacusis, etc. Among these, synkinesis, contracture, spasm and crocodile tears syndrome are the most frequently observed broadly. The poor prognosis factor of facial palsy can be the risk factor of facial palsy sequelae. For example, severe degeneration of facial nerve can be the risk factor of facial palsy sequelae. Most of clinical papers on facial palsy sequelae have used NRS(numeric rating scale) as evaluating scale. But NRS is very subjective scale. The scales of Stennert, Peitersen, Murata et al. can evaluate facial palsy sequelae grossly. Sunnybrook scale, Sydney scale, SAQ(synkinesis assessment questionnaire), the scale of Kim, the scale of Scott, HFS-7(hemi facial spasm), HFS-36 and Schirmer's test can evaluate the respective symptoms of facial palsy sequelae. Conclusions : The symptoms of facial palsy sequelae are synkinesis, contracture, spasm, crocodile tears syndrome, etc. Most of clinical papers on facial palsy sequelae have used NRS as evaluating scale. There were some scales that can evaluate facial palsy sequelae grossly and respectively. In future, we will need more progressed study of facial palsy sequelae and evaluating scale.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.758-762
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• 2007

Objectives : This study investigated the relationship between presymtoms and stroke subtype in early state of stroke patients. Methods : From Oct. 2005 to May 2007, 623 early state stroke patients were included. Patients were hospitalized within 30 days after the onset of stroke at DongGuk University International Hospital, Kyungwon University In-cheon Oriental Medical Hospital, or Kyung Hee University Oriental Hospital. We investigated general characteristics, stroke subtype, and presymtoms (facial spasm, neck stiffness). Results : Hemorrhagic stroke had more facial spasm than ischemic stroke(odds ratio 2.80). Small vessel occlusion had more neck stiffness than others(odds ratio 1.59). Conclusions : Facial spasm and neck stiffness would be valuable as stroke presymtoms.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.183-187
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• 2006

Objective : Hemifacial spasm has characteristic and specific electrophysiological finding, lateral spread response[LSR]. We study the correlation between change of lateral spread response during microvascular decompression[MVD] and clinical outcome after MVD. Methods : Sixty two patients with hemifacial spasm who were treated with microvascular decompression from March 2000 to February 2003 were included in this study. The monitoring of intraoperative facial electromyography[EMG] and brain stem auditory evoked potential were performed. Results : In 28 [44.7%] patients, there was persistence of lateral spread response after vascular decompression in root exit zone of facial nerve. Among these 28 patients, 9 had mild hemifacial spasm at discharge. Three out of 34 patients who had intraoperative disappearance of lateral spread response after MVD had mild hemifacial spasm. But Both groups, disappearance of LSR [Group I], and persistence [Group II] had only 2 patients with mild hemifacial spasm, and 5 patients at 3 months, respectively. Conclusion : Although intraoperative EMG monitoring is very useful in assessing the efficacy of MVD, the clinical outcome of MVD in patient with hemifacial spasm does not always correlate with EMG finding. The prognostic value of intraoperative LSR monitoring in the long-term results is questionable.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.77-81
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• 2017

Hemifacial spasm is a facial nerve disorder characterized by episodic involuntary facial muscle contraction. In this study, the effect of Acupuncture and Electro- acupuncture therapy for two patient with hemifascial spasm were evaluated. Two patients with hemifacial spasm were treated with Acupuncture and Electro-acupuncture and evaluated with Scott's scale and Treatment satisfaction grade. In Case 1, the grade of spasm intensity classified by Scott's description improved from 3 to 1. In Case 2, the grade improved from 4 to 2. Patients were satisfied with the treatment in both cases. Acupuncture and Electro-acupuncture seem to be effective in the treatment of hemifacial spasm.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.262-268
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• 2016

Hemifacial spasm is a disease caused by involuntary facial muscles with repeated unilateral convulsive spasms. It involves contraction of multiple muscles at the same time (synkinesia). The pathogenesis appears to be the pressure on the vessel by the facial nerve. This study included hemifacial spasm patients, who received microvascular decompression surgery. Brainstem auditory evoked potential and the examination time were carefully noted when using brain surgical retractor. The facial nerve electromyography tests for the identification of artifacts and EMG waveform when the facial nerve damage, about the importance of the maintenance of anesthesia in the lateral spread response and in a somatosensory evoked potential propose a new method. Based on the above test, it will be more effective.