Successful Microvascular Decompression in Essential Hypertension with Hemifacial Spasm : Report of Two Cases

Abstract

According to the hypothesis of Jannetta, an arterial compression of the left root entry zone of cranial nerve IX and X by looping arteries could play an important role in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension. We present 2 successful microvascular decompression cases that had essential hypertension and hemifacial spasm. Case 1 is a 53-year-old man who has had a left hemifacial spasm. Case 2 is a 50-year-old woman who has had a right hemifacil spasm. In both cases the neuro-vascular decompression at the ventrolateral medulla on the same side of the hemifacial spasm was done with microvascular decompression surgery for hemifacial spasm. After the microvascular decompression, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure gradually decreased in both cases, and became within normal limits after 3 months. Our results support that essential hypertension may be associated with neurovascular compression not only on the left side but also on the right side. And also the surgical effect may appear gradually in few months.