Hemifacial spasm: a neurosurgical perspective.

Abstract

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) causes both physical and psychological disabilities that significantly impact quality of life. Medical management with serial botulinum toxin injections provides transient spasm relief and is widely reported as highly effective, as compared to no treatment. While there is an excellent potential for disease cure with microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery, utilization rates remain very low in North America (approximately 10%) and many patients are not adequately informed of this surgical option. Although the majority of MVD neurosurgeons maintain a low annual case volume, excellent safety and success rates can be achieved with attention to technical nuances and anatomical appreciation of the target facial root exit zone. Attention to better informing patients and optimizing surgical outcomes should lead to a greater role for neurosurgery in the treatment and cure of HFS.