Episodic hemilaryngopharyngeal spasm (HELPS) syndrome: case report of a surgically treatable novel neuropathy

作者：Honey Christopher R^*; Gooderham Peter; Morrison Murray; Ivanishvili Zurab

来源：Journal of Neurosurgery, 2017, 126(5): 1653-1656.

DOI：10.3171/2016.5.JNS16308

• episodic laryngospasm
• hemilaryngopharyngeal spasm
• vocal cord dysfunction
• neurovascular conflict
• microvascular decompression
• HELPS syndrome
• functional neurosurgery

The authors describe a novel cranial neuropathy manifesting with life-threatening episodic hemilaryngopharyngeal spasm (HELPS). A 50-year-old woman presented with a 4-year history of intermittent throat contractions, escalating to life-threatening respiratory distress. Botulinum toxin injections into her right vocal cord reduced the severity of her spasms, but the episodes continued to occur. MRI demonstrated a possible neurovascular conflict involving the cranial nerve IX-X complex and the posterior inferior cerebellar artery. Microvascular decompression of the upper rootlets of the vagal nerve eliminated her HELPS without complication. The authors propose a mechanism of HELPS implicating isolated involvement of the upper motor rootlets of the vagus nerve.

• 出版日期2017-5