Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Has Looped Blood Vessel Putting Pressure On Cranial Nerve With Facial Twitching And Throbbing Inside Skull. Suggest?

Dear Doctor, My almost 80 year old father has a looped blood vessel putting pressure on a cranial nerve and causing him to experience facial twitching and throbbing inside his skull that he has been taking anti seizure meds and botox shots for, but now he is scheduled for surgery where the doctor wants to remove part of his skull to put a cushion between the nerve and blood vessel......Do you know of this type of condition and treatment options?
Tue, 17 Sep 2013
Report Abuse
Neurologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
Based on your description, I think your father has hemifacial spasm, and there is a blood vessel loop around his facial nerve, causing him facial twitchings, spasm and pain.
Some people respond to carbamazepine and botox. However, those who do not respond to these, would respond to the surgery.
However, please discuss the risks of surgery in a 80-year old person with the surgeon.

I hope it helps.

Please get back if you require any additional information.

Best wishes,

Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad,
My personal URL on this website: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/

I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Recent questions on Facial nerve


Loading Online Doctors....
Has Looped Blood Vessel Putting Pressure On Cranial Nerve With Facial Twitching And Throbbing Inside Skull. Suggest?

Hi, Thank you for posting your query. Based on your description, I think your father has hemifacial spasm, and there is a blood vessel loop around his facial nerve, causing him facial twitchings, spasm and pain. Some people respond to carbamazepine and botox. However, those who do not respond to these, would respond to the surgery. However, please discuss the risks of surgery in a 80-year old person with the surgeon. I hope it helps. Please get back if you require any additional information. Best wishes, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) Senior Consultant Neurologist Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, My personal URL on this website: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/