'Painful tic convulsif' (PTC) describes the coexistence of hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia. In this report, we describe a unique presentation of bilateral PTC in a man with bilateral hemifacial spasm and trigeminal neuralgia secondary to neurovascular conflict of all four cranial nerves. Following failed medical and radiofrequency therapy, microvascular decompression of three of the four involved nerves was performed, where the offending vessels were mobilised and Teflon used to prevent conflict recurrence. He continues to respond to Botox for right hemifacial spasm. Since surgery, he remains pain free bilaterally and spasm free on the left.
Keywords: cranial nerves; neuroimaging; neurosurgery; pain (neurology).
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