COEXISTENT TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA, HEMIFACIAL SPASM, AND HYPERTENSION - PREOPERATIVE IMAGING OF NEUROVASCULAR COMPRESSION

The case is reported of a 60-year-old woman with left-sided trigeminal neuralgia, hemifacial spasm, and hypertension. Compression of the left trigeminal, facial, and vagus nerves by the anterior and posterior inferior cerebellar arteries and a persistent trigeminal artery variant were demonstrated by magnetic resonance angiography using a novel sequence. At operation the angiographic appearances were confirmed, and decompression was performed with the placement of polyvinyl sponge at all three levels. Postoperatively, the patient had complete relief from the trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm and has sustained normotension without medication.