• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권2호
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• pp.85-91
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• 2012

Objective : Hemifacial spasm (HFS) caused by vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) is very rare, and in theses cases, it is difficult to decompress the nerve from its vascular compression. The objective of this study was to investigate the outcome of microvascular decompression (MVD) for HFS caused by VBD. Methods : There were 10 patients of HFS caused by VBD at our hospital between September 1978 and September 2008. We evaluated magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and time of flight magnetic resonance imaginge (TOF MRI) findings using the criteria for VBD. We compared the clinical outcomes of MVD for the 10 patients with VBD with the overall outcomes of the total 2058 MVDs performed for HFS. Results : The results of MVD for HFS caused by VBD were successful in 90.9% of cases. The postoperative complication rate in VBD was 45.5%. Offending vessels in patients with VBD were identified visually during surgery. Adverse effects after MVD were found in 4 patients. We found that the diameter of VBD was significantly greater in patients with complications than in those with no complications (p=0.028). Conclusion : Our data shows that MVD may be a good treatment modality for HFS caused by VBD but care must be taken to avoid adverse effects from the procedure. It is important to detach the dolichoectatic artery from its surrounding structures sufficiently to allow it to be easily movable. In addition, attempts should be made to lessen the retraction of the cerebellum during release of the dolichoectatic artery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제59권5호
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• pp.505-511
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• 2016

Objective : Microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS) involving the vertebral artery (VA) can be technically challenging. We investigated the therapeutic effects of a bioglue-coated Teflon sling technique on the VA during MVD in 42 cases. Methods : A bioglue-coated Teflon sling was crafted by the surgeon and applied to patients in whom neurovascular compression was caused by the VA. The radiologic data, intra-operative findings with detailed introduction of the procedure, and the clinical outcomes of each patient were reviewed and analyzed. Results : The 42 patients included in the analysis consisted of 22 females and 20 males, with an average follow-up duration of 76 months (range 24-132 months). Intraoperative investigation revealed that an artery other than the VA was responsible for the neurovascular compression in all cases : posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) in 23 patients (54.7%) and anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) in 11 patients (26.2%). All patients became symptom-free after MVD. Neither recurrence nor postoperative neurological deficit was noted during the 2-year follow-up, except in one patient who developed permanent deafness. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak occurred in three patients, and one required dural repair. Conclusion : Transposition of the VA using a bioglue-coated Teflon sling is a safe and effective surgical technique for HFS involving the VA. A future prospective study to compare clinical outcomes between groups with and without use of this novel technique is required.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제47권6호
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• pp.442-445
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy and safety of microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS) in elderly patients. Methods : Between 1997 and June 2008, 1,174 patients had undergone MVD for HFS at our institute. Among these, 53 patients were older than 65 years. We retrospectively reviewed and compared the complication and the cure rates of these patients with those of younger patients. Results : There were 38 females and 15 males. The mean duration of symptoms of HFS of these patients was 94.6 months (range, 12-360 months), compared with 67.2 months (range, 3-360 months) in the younger group. The overall cure rate in elderly patients who underwent MVD for HFS during this period was 96.2%. Permanent cranial nerve dysfunctions, such as hearing loss and facial palsy, were seen in 2 patients (3.8%, 2/53) in the elderly group and 19 patients (1.7%, 19/1121) in the younger group. The difference in permanent cranial nerve dysfunction between the two groups was not statistically significant. There was no operative mortality in either group. Conclusion : Microvascular decompression is the most effective surgical modality available for the treatment of HFS. Results of this study indicate that such technique can be performed in the elderly without higher rates of morbidity or mortality. Any patient with HFS, whose general health is acceptable for undergoing general anesthesia, should be considered as a candidate for MVD.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.19-25
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyse brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) wave change data during microvascular decompression (MVD). The nerve function of Cranial Nerve VIII is at risk during MVD. Intraoperative monitoring of BAEP can be a useful tool to decrease the danger of hearing loss. Between January and December 2009, 242 patients had MVD for hemifacial spasm (HFS) and trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Among intraoperative BAEP changes, amplitude of V-V' was the most frequently observed during cerebellar retraction and decompression step of the MVD procedure. 138 patients (57%) had no BAEP change while 104 patients (42.98%) had BAEP change. 69 patients (28.5%) had Type A-I, 16 patients (6.6%) had Type A-II, 5 patients (2.1%) had Type B, and 13 patients (5.37%) had Type C. MVD is a surgical procedure to relieve the symptoms (e.g. pain, muscle twitching) caused by compression of a nerve by an artery or vein. During BAEP intraoperative monitoring, the surgical step is important in interpreting the changes of wave V. Several potential mechanisms of injury may affect the cochlear nerve, and complete loss of BAEP is often associated with postoperative hearing loss. Intraoperative BAEP monitoring may provide an early warning of hearing disturbance after MVD.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.33-38
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• 2007

목적: 반얼굴 연축 환자에서 새로운 삼차원 중첩 자기공명 혈관 조영술 기법(3-D overlapped reconstruction MR angiographic technique, 3-D ORMRA) 을 기존의 MRA 원천영상과 비교하여 그 유용성을 알아보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 수술로 반얼굴 연축이 증명된 총 27명을 대상으로 하였다. 모든 환자에서 전향적으로 기존의 MRA 원천영상과 3-D fast imaging employing steady state acquisition (FIESTA) 영상을 얻었다. 이 후 작업대 (workstation)에서 3-D MRA 영상을 만들고 GE A/W 4.2 add/sub software를 이용하여 이를 FIESTA영상과 겹쳐 3-D ORMRA영상을 얻었다. 그리고 나서 기존의 MRA 원천영상과 3-D ORMRA영상에서 각 각 얼굴신경의 신경근출구부와 병적 압박혈관 사이의 관계를 분석하였다. 결과: 기존의 MRA원천영상에서는 27명중 25명의 환자에서 얼굴 신경근출구부에서의 병적 압박혈관을 구별 할 수 있었고, 3-D ORMRA영상에서는 모든 환자에서 병적 압박혈관을 구별 할 수 있었으며, 이는 수술소견과 일치하였다. 무엇보다 3-D ORMRA영상에서 얼굴 신경근출구부와 병적 압박혈관 사이의 공간적인 관계를 좀 더 분명하게 볼 수 있었다. 결론: 3-D ORMRA 기법은 기존의 MRA 영상기법과 비교하여, 반얼굴 연축 환자에서 매우 유용하고 더 정확한 정보를 주는 방법이다.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제30권sup1호
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• pp.44-50
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• 2001

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the role of postoperative three dimensional short-range magnetic resonance angiography(3D-TOF MRA) in predicting the clinical outcomes following microvascular decompression(MVD) for the treatment of a hemifacial spasm(HFS). Material and Method : Postoperative magnetic resonance(MR) imaging was performed on 123 patients with a HFS between March 1999 and May 2000. All patients who had postoperative MR imaging were undertaken preoperative MR imaging. Of the 123 patients, 122 patients were included in this retrospective study. The degree of the detachment of vascular contact, and change of the position of offender were determined by pre- and postoperative 3D-TOF MRA. These findings were compared with the surgical findings and clinical outcomes. Results : Of 122 patients who had successful MVD, clear decompression of offenders of the root entry zone(REZ) of facial nerve was found in 106 patients(86.9%), partial decompression in 10 patients(8.2%) and contact of offenders to the REZ of facial nerve in 6 patients(4.9%) by the postoperative 3D-TOF MRA. Our patients demonstrated that the types of offender did not influence with the degree of decompression of REZ of facial nerve and with surgical outcomes(p>0.05). Also, there was no significant relationship between the degree of decompression of the REZ of facial nerve from offenders and an improvement of symptoms(p>0.05). Futhermore, there was no significant relationship between the degree of decompression of the REZ of facial nerve from offenders and an improvement time (p>0.05). Conclusion : Our data suggests that MVD of facial nerve alone may not be sufficient to resolve the symptoms in all patients with hemifacial spasm. Therefore, another unknown factors besides vascular compression may be involved to cause symptoms in certain patients and it may be necessary to remove these factors with MVD simultaneously to obtain the resolution of symptom.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제52권4호
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• pp.288-292
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• 2012

Objective : Microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a safe and effective treatment with favorable outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of delayed cranirve (VI, VII, and VIII) palsy following MVD and its clinical courses. Methods : Between January 1998 and December 2009, 1354 patients underwent MVD for HFS at our institution. Of them, 100 patients (7.4%) experienced delayed facial palsy (DFP), one developed sixth nerve palsy, and one patient had delayed hearing loss. Results : DFP occurred between postoperative day number 2 and 23 (average 11 days). Ninety-two patients (92%) completely recovered; however, House-Brackmann grade II facial weakness remained in eight other patients (8%). The time to recovery averaged 64 days (range, 16 days to 9 months). Delayed isolated sixth nerve palsy recovered spontaneously without any medical or surgical treatment after 8 weeks, while delayed hearing loss did not improve. Conclusion : Delayed cranial nerve (VI, VII, and VIII) palsies can occur following uncomplicated MVD for HFS. DFP is not an unusual complication after MVD, and prognosis is fairly good. Delayed sixth nerve palsy and delayed hearing loss are extremely rare complications after MVD for HFS. We should consider the possibility of development of these complications during the follow up for MVD.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.153-162
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to observe 47 cases of patients with blepharospasm treated with Wisunghanggyeok(胃勝寒格). Methods : For 28 months from Sep. 2006 to Dec. 2008, we researched 47 blepharospasm patients treated with Wisunghanggyeok(胃勝寒格) who visited the author's clinic. Results & Conclusion: 1. It shows more female patients than male patients, and mostly patients in their fifties. 2. The lesion is shown more on the right side than on the left side, and the left side blepharospasm is cured more effective. 3. The causes of hemifacial spasm are mainly stress and overwork, and there is a 85% improvement of 39 cases from these two causes. 4. The disease period is mainly within 1 week, and that period is the most effective time. 5. The number of treatment is mainly under 5 times, and the effect of treatment over 4 times for week is more available. 6. There are 59.57% of excellent improvement and 23.4% of good improvement, and these make 82.97% improvement of 47cases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.351-354
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• 2009

Objective : Combined hyperative dysfunction syndrome (HDS) defined as the combination of HDSs such as trigeminal neuralgia (TN). hemifacial spasm (HFS) and glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN), which mayor may not occur simultaneously on one or both sides. We reviewed patients with combined HDS and demonstrated their demographic characteristics by comparing them with those of patients with a single HDS. Methods : Between October 1994 and February 2006, we retrospectively studied a series of 1,720 patients who suffered from HDS and found 51 patients with combined HDSs. We analyzed several independent variables in order to evaluate the prevalence and etiologic factors of combined HDS. Results : The combined HDS group accounted for 51 of 1,720 (2.97%) patients with HDS; 27 cases of bilateral HFS, 10 cases of bilateral TN and 14 cases of HFS with TN. Their mean age was 52.1 years (range, 26-79 years). There were 5 men and 46 women. Seven patients had synchronous and 44 patients metachronous onset of HDSs. By comparison of combined and single HDS groups, we found that age and hypertension were closely associated with the prevalence of combined HDS (p<0.05). Conclusion : This study revealed that combined HDS was very rare. Hypertension and age might be the most important causative factors to evoke combined HDS.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.104-108
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• 2008

Background: The compression of 7th cranial nerve by arteries is one of the various causes of hemifacial spasm (HFS). A few previous studies were revealed the relation between the compression of 7th cranial nerve and common trunk anomaly. We evaluated the common trunk anomalies in patients with HFS using MRI and MRA. Methods: From January 2001 to December 2005, 41 consecutive patients (9 men, mean age $54.5{\pm}12.6$) with HFS underwent MRI and MRA. T2 axial images and time-of-flight angiographies were reviewed for identification of the compression at root exit zone by two neuroradiologists and one neurologist. Results: Thirty-seven patients showed neurovascular compression on the lesion side. Twenty patients of them were shown the compression of 7th cranial nerve by anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA), and seventeen patients of them were shown the compression by posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). Twenty-four patients of the thirty-seven patients had common trunk anomaly. In control, twelve of twenty-one subjects had common trunk anomaly, that the frequencies of common trunk anomaly of two groups were 58.8% in HFS and 57.1% in controls. In the twenty-four patients with common trunk anomaly, eighteen patients had dominant-AICA, and six patients had dominant-PICA. The rate of nerve compression by common trunk anomaly in the HFS with unilateral common trunk, dominant-AICA was 76.5% and dominant-PICA was 100%. Conclusions: This study also revealed that AICA was most common compressive artery. There was no difference between the HFS groups and control groups in frequency of common trunk anomaly. Thus, we could not demonstrate the relationship between common trunk anomaly and HFS.