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hemifacial spasm
Etiology:
1) facial nerve injury
-> commonly blood vessel pressing on the facial nerve
2) tumor
3) idiopathic
Epidemiology:
1) occurs in both men and women
2) frequently affects middle-aged or elderly women
Clinical manifestations:
1) frequent involuntary contractions of the muscles on one side of the face
2) unilateral blepharospasm is generally the first sign
3) spasm may gradually spread to involve muscles of the lower face, which may cause the mouth to be pulled to one side
4) eventually the spasms involve all of the muscles on one side of the face almost continuously
Management:
1) botulinum toxin (Botox) injection into the affected muscles
2) surgery may be used for some cases
3) prognosis
a) depends on etiology
b) a benign condition if resulting from benign etiology
General
muscle spasm
References
- NINDS Hemifacial Spasm Information Page
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Hemifacial-Spasm-Information-Page