Search
fasciculation (muscle twitching)
A minor muscle contraction & relaxation of a muscle group that is served by a single motor nerve fiber. (Lower motor neuron sign)
Etiology:
- diet deficiency
- excess caffeine
- adverse drug effects (diuretics, corticosteroids, estrogens)
- exercise
- stress, anxiety
- generally episodic & do not last more than a few days
- nervous system disease
- amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- peripheral nerve injury
- muscular dystrophy
- spinal muscular atrophy
- muscle weakness, myopathy
Epidemiology:
- common
Clinical manifestations:
- often go unnoticed
- often affect the eyelids, calf, or thumb
- symptoms that suggest nervous system disease:
- loss or change in sensation
- muscle wasting
- muscle weakness
- peripheral nerve injury results in fine, rapid flickering or coarse muscle twitching, originating in small groups of muscle fibers, associated with muscle atrophy
Management:
- generally no treatment necessary for benign fasciculation
- see specific disorder for pathologic fasciculations
Related
tic disorder
General
sign/symptom
References
- Muscle twitching
MedlinePlus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003296.htm
- Wikipedia: FasciculationFasciculation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasciculation
- Clinical Anatomy Made Ridiculously Simple. Stephen
Goldberg, MedMaster Inc, Miami, 1995
- Guide to Physical Examination & History Taking, 4th edition,
Bates B, JB Lippincott, Philadelphia, 1987
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 16
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2012