Hemifacial Spasm as a Rare Clinical Presentation of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Objectives:

To report a rare case of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) presenting with hemifacial spasm (HFS) and review the current literature.

Methods:

Case report and literature review. The patient’s medical record was reviewed for demographic and clinical data. For literature review, all case reports or other publications published in English literature were identified using PUBMED.

Results:

A 43-year-old obese female presented with a 2-year history of left HFS.

Electroencephalography and head computed tomography were unremarkable. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated bilateral anterior inferior cerebellar artery vascular loops involving the internal auditory canals as well as IIH-associated findings. A lumbar puncture was performed and revealed an elevated opening pressure of 26 cm H₂0 cerebrospinal fluid. Acetazolamide treatment was then initiated, resulting in complete resolution of the HFS.

Conclusion:

HFS may be a rare presenting manifestation of IIH, and treatment of IIH may result in improvement of HFS symptoms. This is the first report of IIH presenting with HFS in the absence of headache or visual change. As a result, this is the first report of HFS as a presenting manifestation of IIH in Otolaryngology literature.