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BACKGROUND:After microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS), a minority of patients realize little to no relief of spasms. In some patients, the absence of relief of spasms results from incomplete or inadequate decompression of vascular compression of the facial nerve, and these patients represent excellent candidates for repeat MVD. However, in other patients, repeat MVD is not appropriate because adequate decompression and resolution of neurovascular compression, as determined by postoperative high-resolution MRI, was achieved with the initial operation.OBJECTIVE:To present a cohort of patients with a history of HFS refractory to MVD, with no evidence of neurovascular compression on postoperative MRI, who underwent facial nerve massage (FNM) in the posterior fossa in an attempt to relieve spasms.METHODS:Thirteen patients with a history of incomplete relief of spasms after technically adequate MVD surgery for hemifacial spasm underwent FNM. Immediate and long-term degree of spasm relief and complications after FNM were documented through in-person or telemedicine interview.RESULTS:At follow-up after FNM, 7 of 12 patients (58.3%) reported complete spasm relief (grade I), 2 of 12 patients (16.7%) reported >75% spasm relief (grade II), 0 patient (0%) reported >50% spasm relief (grade III), 3 of 12 (25.0%) patients reported <50% spasm relief (grade IV), and 1 patient was lost to follow-up. One patient experienced a delayed facial paresis, and another patient experienced high-frequency hearing loss.CONCLUSION:After FNM, durable and, at least, partial relief of spasms with a relatively low complication rate was observed in most patients with HFS with incomplete relief of spasms after technically adequate prior MVD.

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Meningiomas are the most common benign intracranial tumors. Gamma Knife® stereotactic radiosurgery (GKSRS) has become a preferred management for recurrent or residual meningiomas. This study focuses on the relationship between tumor control and the time interval between resection of a World Health Organization (WHO) grade 1 meningioma and GKSRS. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This single institution retrospective analysis reviewed our experience in 238 patients who underwent GKSRS after a pathologically confirmed WHO grade 1 meningioma resection. The median follow-up was 7.4 years. The median aggregate tumor volume at GKSRS was 6 cm³ and a median margin dose of 13 Gy was utilized. Neurological symptoms were evident in 60% of patients at the time of procedure. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Overall actuarial tumor control rates achieved were 91.3% at 5 years, 83.4% at 10 years, and 76% at 15 years. There were 35 patients (15%) who developed tumor progression within or directly adjacent to the GKSRS treatment field. The median time until progression was 6.3 years. The duration between surgical intervention and GKSRS did not show statistical significance at 3 months (<i>p</i> = 0.9), 6 months (<i>p</i> = 0.8), 12 months (<i>p</i> = 0.5), or 24 months (<i>p</i> = 0.9). Fifteen patients (6%) had tumor progression at an anatomically distinct location outside the GKSRS target volume. Neurological symptomatic improvement was more likely with early radiosurgery intervention (<i>p</i> = 0.007). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Postoperative GKSRS was associated with excellent long-term tumor control for WHO grade 1 meningiomas, regardless of the interval after initial surgery. In addition, earlier radiosurgery was associated with superior symptom improvement.

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