Transient hemifacial spasm associated with subarachnoid brainstem cysticercosis: a case report.
The authors present the case of a 69 year old woman who developed bladder incontinence and confusion. A CT scan showed severe hydrocephalus and calcifications, prompting a ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. On the day after operation the patient presented left hemifacial spasm. MR revealed a subarachnoid cysticercus rostral to the pons, and surgical excision was proposed. She refused surgery and was placed on prednisone. Brainstem auditory responses were absent on the left side 2 months after shunting and were still abnormal 53 months later. The hemifacial spasm disappeared 3 months after shunt placement and has not recurred in 5 years of follow-up.
Revuelta Gutierrez
R
R
Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico City, Mexico.
Soto-Hernández
J L
JL
Suastegui-Roman
R
R
Ramos-Peek
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005260:Female; D019569:Hemifacial Spasm / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D020019:Neurocysticercosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D011241:Prednisone