The treatment of hemifacial spasm with percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the facial nerve.
The authors present their first results with the treatment of hemifacial spasm by controlled percutaneous thermocoagulation of the facial nerve. Seven patients have been treated to date with good immediate results on the movements, although a slight paresis of the homolateral facial musculature, aesthetically acceptable, persists after treatment. A long-term follow-up at more than 10 months was achieved in only 3 patients, who showed a complete regression of the spasm with partial disappearance of the facial hemiparesis.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000601:surgery*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011846:Radio Waves; D013035:Spasm / Q000601:surgery*