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Vascular cross-compression of the Vllth and VIIIth cranial nerves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

Naoki Ohashi*
Affiliation:
Departments of OtolaryngologyToyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan.
Satsuki Yasumura
Affiliation:
Departments of OtolaryngologyToyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan.
Hajime Nakagawa
Affiliation:
Departments of OtolaryngologyToyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan.
Kanemasa Mizukoshi
Affiliation:
Departments of OtolaryngologyToyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan.
Shougo Kuze
Affiliation:
Departments of Anaesthetics, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Toyama, Japan.
*
Naoki Ohashi, M.D., MRC Human Movement and Balance Unit, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, U.K.

Abstract

A 53-year-old male patient had been suffering from severe aural symptoms (pulsatile right-sided tinnitus and paroxysmal dizziness attacks with nausea) and right hemifacial spasm. Treatment had involved stellate ganglion block with lignocaine and the injection of intravenous sodium bicarbonate solution for attacks of Meniere's syndrome and facial nerve block with lidocaine for hemi-facial spasm. Despite these treatments, the dizzy attacks became more frequent, developing into the clustering state. Air CT cisternography and vertebral angiography demonstrated an enlarged and curved vertebral artery. Vascular cross-compression of the Vllth and VHIth cranial nerves was therefore suspected. Microvascular decompression was performed. After operation, the pulsatile tinnitus, dizziness and hemifacial spasm disappeared. From the present case and a review of the literature, we conclude that vascular cross-compression of the VHIth cranial nerve should be an indication for microvascular decompression only when symptoms of vascular cross-compression of the Vllth cranial nerve are also seen.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1992

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