Surgical anatomy for hemifacial spasm

P Mercier; F Bernard

doi:10.1016/j.neuchi.2018.04.008

Surgical anatomy for hemifacial spasm

Neurochirurgie. 2018 May;64(2):124-132. doi: 10.1016/j.neuchi.2018.04.008. Epub 2018 May 17.

Authors

P Mercier¹, F Bernard²

Affiliations

¹ Department of anatomy, UFR de médecine, university of Angers, rue haute-de-reculée, 49045 Angers cedex, France. Electronic address: philippe.mercier@univ-angers.fr.
² Department of anatomy, UFR de médecine, university of Angers, rue haute-de-reculée, 49045 Angers cedex, France; Department of neurosurgery, CHU d'Angers, rue Larrey, 49033 Angers cedex, France.

PMID: 29779610
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuchi.2018.04.008

Abstract

Classically in the cerebello-pontine angle the facial (CN VII) and vestibular-cochlear (CN VIII) nerves should run parallel with the anterior inferior cerebellar artery, whereas the lower nerves (CN IX-XI) continue with the posterior-inferior-cerebellar artery (PICA). In fact, this is not always true, particularly when dealing with hemispasm surgery where the relationships between CN VII, CN VIII and PICA are often different and closer. Knowledge of anatomical bases in surgical situation will help neurosurgeons to appreciate anatomical nuances, that are important to increase effectiveness and safety of hemifacial spasm surgery.

Keywords: Cranial nerves; Hemifacial spasm; Microvascular decompression; Neurovascular conflict; Surgical techniques; Vascular anatomy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Brain Stem / anatomy & histology
Brain Stem / blood supply
Cerebellum / blood supply*
Cranial Nerves / anatomy & histology*
Hemifacial Spasm / surgery*
Humans
Vagus Nerve / anatomy & histology*
Vertebral Artery / anatomy & histology
Vertebral Artery / surgery*