OBJECTIVE<p style="text-align: justify;" data-mce-style="text-align: justify;">To report the demographics, clinical characteristics, and surgical outcomes after microvascular decompression (MVD) for hemifacial spasm (HFS) in the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).p>METHODS<p style="text-align: justify;" data-mce-style="text-align: justify;">Between January 2018 to December 2022, the division of Neurosurgery at PGH performed thirty-four MVD operations for Primary HFS. Records were retrospectively reviewed, and pertinent demographic, intra-operative findings, outcomes, and complications were analyzed.p>RESULTS<p style="text-align: justify;" data-mce-style="text-align: justify;">The overall success rate is 88.2%, with a median follow-up at 15 months. Repeated measures ANOVA showed that post-op HFS and follow-up HFS grades were significantly lower than pre-op HFS grades (F=17.46, df=33, p < 0.0001). HFS average age of symptom onset was early at 38.5 years, 11.8% of which wereCONCLUSION<p style="text-align: justify;" data-mce-style="text-align: justify;">MVD at PGH is a viable choice treatment option for Filipino patients with success rates comparable to internationally published studies. Besides improving surgical technique, improvement of referral systems may help make surgery more accessible.p>
Human ; Microvascular Decompression Surgery ; Hemifacial Spasm

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous regression of pituitary adenomas is a rare occurrence that is thought to be due to pituitary apoplexy. We would like to review the demograhic data, imaging findings, and neurologic, endocrinologic, and radiologic outcomes of patients who exhibited this unusual phenomenon. METHODS: We present a case of non-functioning pituitary adenoma (NFPA) in a 66-year-old man that underwent spontaneous regression. We also performed a systematic literature review on cases of pituitary adenomas that exhibited spontaneous regression, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: There have been only 27 reported cases of spontaneous regression observed in all pituitary adenomas, 16 of which are NFPAs. Headache was the most common symptom while decreased visual acuity and oculomotor nerve palsy were the most common sign. Pituitary hemorrhage was seen in two-thirds of cases, while findings suggestive of pituitary infarct, such as enhancement of the sphenoid sinus mucosa. were seen in one-third. Complete radiographic remission was observed in 62% of cases, with an 11% recurrence rate seen at least two years after the initial imaging. Neurologic recovery was reported in 88% and endocrinologic recovery from hypopituitarism was 40%. CONCLUSION Most patients exhibited neurologic and endocrinologic improvement concomitant with the regression of the pituitary adenoma. However, these tumors may recur; thus, regular and long- term neuro-ophthalmologic and radiologic follow-up is advised.
Pituitary adenoma ; spontaneous regression