Hemilingual spasm: defining a new entity, its electrophysiological correlates and surgical treatment through microvascular decompression.

Objective: We report on vascular compression syndrome of the 12th cranial nerve (hypoglossal), an occurrence not previously reported, and demonstrate, through corresponding objective electrophysiological evidence, that microvascular decompression of the hypoglossal nerve root can cure hemilingual spasm.

Clinical Presentation: A 52-year-old man had lower face muscle twitching and tongue spasms, which worsened with talking, chewing, or emotional stress. Carbamazepine offered only temporary relief, and relief from injections of botulinum toxin was insignificant.

Neuromuscular disorders in clinical practice: case studies.

Neuromuscular disorders represent a large group of highly varied and interesting clinical disorders, many of which have major general medical manifestations. These disorders can be diagnosed largely based on the patient's history and physical examination with a little help from modern technology. Despite the outdated belief that neurologic conditions are diagnosed but rarely treatable, all cases discussed herein represent disorders for which there are extensive options and opportunities for meaningful management.