Hemimasticatory Spasm with a Single Venous Compression Treated with Microvascular Decompression of the Trigeminal Motor Rootlet.

Abstract

Hemimasticatory spasm is a very rare disorder of the trigeminal motor rootlet that is characterized by a paroxysmal involuntary contraction of the jaw-closing muscles. The mechanisms for hemimasticatory spasm remain unclear, and an efficient treatment strategy still needs to be developed. We report a case of a successful treatment of hemimasticatory spasm with single venous compression via microvascular decompression of the trigeminal motor rootlet. Our report shows that a single venous compression may be also responsible for idiopathic hemimasticatory spasm which can be cured by microvascular decompression. This is the first report on hemimasticatory compressed by a single vein in the world.