title: Hemifacial spasm associated with external carotid artery compression of the facial nerve.
abstract: We report a unique case of hemifacial spasm due to compression of the facial nerve by the main trunk of the external carotid artery within the parotid space. Decompression of the facial nerve as well as partial section of the proximal trunk of the nerve, caused the hemifacial spasm to disappear. Our case gives support to the theory that hemifacial spasm can be caused by pressure on the facial nerve along all its course and not only in its intra-cranial portion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Central Emek Hospital, Afula, Israel.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rakover
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dharan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rosen
mesh_terms: D002342:Carotid Artery, External / Q000473:pathology; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology