Intraoperative endoscope view classification of neurovascular compression in hemifacial spasm condition: a single neurosurgeon prospective cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: Hemifacial spasm is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary contractions of facial muscles on one side of the face. This study aims to analyze the intraoperative pattern of neurovascular compression (NVC) and discuss relevant decompression techniques for 29 patients with hemifacial spasm who underwent endoscopy-assisted microvascular decompression (EAMVD). Patients and Methods: This was a prospective, single center, single neurosurgeon, cross-sectional study conducted from November 2020 to August 2022. All patients received EAMVD, and the NVC culprit vessel, compression site, severity, and type were analyzed using a 30-degree endoscope. Results: All 29 patients had successful interposition EAMVD without postoperative symptoms. The most common NVC site was REX (18 in 29 cases), the most common vessel to compress the seventh nerve was AICA (23 in 29 cases), while the most common type of NVC was loop (22 in 29 cases). NVC severity: 17 cases of mild compression, 4 cases of moderate compression, and 8 cases of severe compression. Without an angled telescope, we will miss the NVC in 12 cases (41.3%). Conclusion: EAMVD using an angled endoscope is a promising technique for treating hemifacial spasm. Intraoperative analysis of NVC can lead to a better understanding of the patterns of compression and may help in selecting appropriate decompression techniques.