“Left jump for wealth, right jump for disaster.” In life, our eyelids will involuntarily jump a few times, and everyone jokingly thinks it is a sign of some kind. In fact, modern medicine has long been There is no scientific basis for this claim of “jumping in wealth”.
However, according to experts, frequent eyelid twitching or facial twitching may be a sign of facial spasms!
To this end, Dahe News, Henan video “I am a diagnostician” column, interviewed neurosurgery expert Zong Qinghua, who gave the Uncover the true face of hemifacial spasm.
Real case: A 55-year-old woman suffers from hemifacial spasm, even unable to open her eyes in severe cases
Although “winking” is not a serious illness, for patients, it is endlessly troubled by this symptom, which seriously affects work and life.
Ms. An, 55 years old this year, started to twitch involuntarily in her right eyelid two years ago. She thought it was because she didn’t rest well, and she didn’t pay too much attention to it. Unexpectedly, the right eyelid, face, and neck would gradually pulsate involuntarily and frequently. “When it’s serious, you can’t open your eyes.” This made Ms. An painful. unbearable.
Trying to seek medical treatment, the results are sometimes good and sometimes bad. Not only that, but her symptoms were gradually getting worse. After many failed medical experiences, Ms. An even gave up treatment.
Recently, according to the patient’s guidance, her family took her to the Department of Neurosurgery of Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University, and found the director Min Youhui and the deputy director. Doctor Zong Qinghua.
According to the patient’s condition and previous examinations, experts quickly gave Ms. An a clear diagnosis – hemifacial spasm. After admission, the expert team actively improved relevant examinations for her, evaluated surgical indications, and designed a surgical plan.
Microvascular decompression to help patients say goodbye to “winking”
With the consent of Ms. An and her family, the expert successfully performed microvascular decompression for Ms. An. Postoperatively, her symptoms disappeared completely, and there were no complications of facial paralysis and hearing impairment.
A few months have passed since the surgery. Received a follow-up call, Ms. An said that she is recovering well and has no discomfort. “I have said goodbye to winking!“
In this regard, Zong Qinghua said that if the eyelid on the fixed side beats repeatedly, he may have hemifacial spasm, and he needs to go to the hospital for further diagnosis and treatment.
However, clinically, many patients with hemifacial spasm have mild convulsions and long intermittent periods in the early stage of onset, mostly manifested as periocular muscles. Intermittent jerks, indistinguishable from physiologic jerks, are easy to ignore.
However, as the disease progresses, the related symptoms will gradually increase, the intermittent period will gradually shorten, and gradually spread to other muscles of the ipsilateral face, It can even involve the ipsilateral neck muscles, with the most obvious twitching of the muscles at the corner of the mouth.
Severe cases may experience difficulty in opening eyes, skewed corners of the mouth, and murmurs in the ears. A small number of patients may experience mild paralysis of the affected side muscles in the later stages of the disease. .
Experts say microvascular decompression is by far the preferred method for treating patients with hemifacial spasm. According to reports, this is a surgical method for the treatment of the cause. During the operation, the doctor will open a coin-sized bone window behind the patient’s ear. Then, under the microscope, the responsible blood vessel will be separated from the root of the facial nerve to eliminate the high excitation state caused by the blood vessel compressing the nerve, so as to relieve symptoms.
Facial twitches disappeared immediately after surgery in most patients and normal facial sensation and function were retained. “The cure rate is high and the recurrence rate is low.” Zong Qinghua said.
Zong Qinghua Master of Medicine, associate chief physician in Beijing Tiantan Hospital, in 2017 Participated in the early training course of microballoon compression for trigeminal neuralgia held by Professor Ma Yi.
China Cranial Nerve Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Collaborative Group Member of Percutaneous Balloon Compression Group; He is a member of the professional committee of the bottom brain stem group); a member of the second committee of the professional committee for the prevention and treatment of hydrocephalus in children of the Henan Preventive Medicine Association; a standing member of the first youth committee of the cerebrovascular disease rehabilitation branch of the Henan Provincial Association of Rehabilitation Medicine; Zhengzhou Stroke Association director.
Good at diagnosis and minimally invasive surgical treatment of hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia; individualized treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage; severe craniocerebral injury Diagnosis and treatment of intracranial aneurysm, hydrocephalus, intracranial infection, meningioma, pituitary tumor, glioma and other diseases.
Visit information: Clinic No. 18, 3rd Floor, Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University (specialized clinic for trigeminal neuralgia and hemifacial spasm)
Director Min Youhui was in consultation all day on Tuesday
Deputy Chief Physician Zong Qinghua sits in the clinic all day on Monday.