Prognosis and influencing factors of lower cranial nerve palsy after microvascular decompression in patients with hemifacial spasm

Objective To evaluate the incidence, prognosis and influencing factors of lower cranial nerve palsy after microvascular decompression (MVD) in patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS). Methods Clinical data of 1033 patients with HFS, admitted to our hospital from May 2014 to August 2016, were retrospectively analyzed. The incidence of lower cranial nerve palsy after procedure and prognosis of these patients were summarized; and influencing factors were analyzed by statistical method. Results In 1033 patients with HFS, 10 patients (0.97%) had lower cranial nerve palsy after procedure: 6 patients suffered hoarseness, 2 patients suffered dysphasia, and 2 patients were with both symptoms; the symptoms in 6 patients completely recovered within one month, 2 patients within one-3 months, and 2 patients within 3-6 months. No permanent low cranial nerve palsy occurred. There were no statistical significances in age, gender, clinical course, sides, or the types of offending vessels between the lower cranial nerve palsy patients (n=10) and the non-palsy patients (n=1023)(P>0.05). Conclusion Lower cranial nerve palsy is a rare complication after MVD, and type of responsible vessels is not a influencing factor in this complication Key words: Hemifacial spasm; Microvascular decompression; Lower cranial nerve palsy; Related factor