Purpose
To describe the early effectiveness of microvascular decompression (MVD) for the treatment of spasmodic torticollis (ST).
Methods
Twelve patients with spasmodic torticollis were treated by microvascular decompression of the accessory nerves using a microscopic
neurosurgical technique via the retrosigmoid approach. The most common compressing blood vessels were the ipsilateral posterior
inferior cerebral artery (PICA) and/or the vertebral artery. The intraoperative monitor was introduced to detect the accessory
nerve and to avoid unnecessary damage to the nerve.
Results
Ten patients were cured (83%), and the other two (17%) improved with moderate spasms. In most cases, the improvement was noticed
1 week after the operation. No operation-related complications were observed during the follow-up period, which ranged from
2 months to 3 years.
Conclusions
The early effect of MVD for some patients with spasmodic torticollis was satisfactory, but the long-term results need to be
assessed further.
Keywords Spasmodic torticollis - Microvascular decompression - Accessory nerve - Posterior inferior cerebral artery - Movement disorder