From the case:
Hemifacial spasm
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This patient suffered from left hemifacial spasm. Note the left vertebral artery contacting the facial nerve at the nerve root entry zone, making it the likely culprit.
From the case:
Hemifacial spasm
{"current_user":null,"step_through_annotations":true,"access":{"can_edit":false,"can_download":true,"can_toggle_annotations":true,"can_feature":false,"can_examine_pipeline_reports":false,"can_pin":false},"extraPropsURL":"/studies/82121/annotated_viewer_json?lang=us"}
Annotate image demonstrating the relationship between facial nerve and left vertebral artery.
Case Discussion
The challenge with cranial nerve compression syndromes is not just identifying a small vessel contacting the nerve root entry zone but also, possibly more importantly, that many many asymptomatic individuals have similar anatomy.