Microvascular decompression of the accessory nerve for treatment of spasmodic torticollis: early results in 12 cases.

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.