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NINDS Hemifacial Spasm Information Page: NINDS
Article title: NINDS Hemifacial Spasm Information Page: NINDS
Conditions: Hemifacial Spasm
What is Hemifacial Spasm?
Hemifacial spasm is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by frequent involuntary contractions of the muscles on one side of the face. The disorder occurs in both men and women, although it more frequently affects middle-aged or elderly women. The first symptom is usually an intermittent twitching of the eyelid muscle which can lead to forced closure of the eye. The spasm may then gradually spread to involve the muscles of the lower face, which may cause the mouth to be pulled to one side. Eventually the spasms involve all of the muscles on one side of the face almost continuously. The condition may be caused by a facial nerve injury or a tumor, or it may have no apparent cause. Very commonly, hemifacial spasm is caused by a blood vessel pressing on the facial nerve.
Is there any
treatment?
Treatment of hemifacial spasm frequently consists of
botulinum-A toxin therapy. Surgery may be used for some cases.
What is the
prognosis?
Untreated cases of hemifacial spasm generally do not
lead to any dire consequences. Prognosis for treated cases varies from
patient to patient.
What research is being
done?
The NINDS supports research on neuromuscular disorders such
as hemifacial spasm. The goals of this research are to find ways to
prevent, treat, and cure these disorders.
Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation, Inc.
637
North 7th Street Suite 102
P.O. Box 12468
Beaumont, TX 77726-2468
bebrf@ih2000.net
http://www.blepharospasm.org/
Tel:
409-832-0788
Fax: 409-832-0890
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
(100 Route 37)
New Fairfield, CT 06812-8923
orphan@rarediseases.org
http://www.rarediseases.org/
Tel:
203-746-6518 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-746-6481
This fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it.Provided
by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD
20892
» Next page: NINDS Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia Information Page: NINDS
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