Hemifacial spasm as a feature of Chiari malformation: case report.
BACKGROUND
Hemifacial spasm has rarely been described as one of the presenting features of Chiari I malformation. We present a case in which we found an association between the two in the absence of a basilar impression.


METHODS
A case of a 39-year-old man who presented with a disabling hemifacial spasm and was found to have Chiari I malformation as the possible cause is described. A foramen magnum decompression successfully relieved the hemifacial spasm. The patient remains symptom free at 20 months after the operation.


CONCLUSIONS
Neurosurgeons may want to consider foramen magnum decompression as first-line surgical treatment for hemifacial spasm when it coexists with Chiari I malformation. Chiari I malformation should be considered one of the rare causes of hemifacial spasm.
Department of Neurosurgery, Newcastle General Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom. mukerji@rcsed.ac.uk
Nitin
N
Mukerji
Peter
P
Newman
Fred P
FP
Nath
D000328:Adult; D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000150:complications*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000473:pathology; D019569:Hemifacial Spasm / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male