Description

Hemifacial spasm is a nervous system condition in which the muscles on one side of the face twitch. The cause of hemifacial spasm is most often a blood vessel touching or pressing against a nerve facial. A facial nerve injury or a tumor, can also cause. Sometimes the cause is not known.

Symptoms

The common symptoms of hemifacial spasm include involuntary movements of the muscles of the face which most often are:

  • On one side of the face.
  • You can't control.
  • Painless.

These movements of the muscles, also called contractions often begin in your eyelid. Then you can move on to the cheek and the mouth on the same side of the face. In the first place, hemifacial spasm and come. But over months to years, spend almost all the time.

Sometimes, hemifacial spasm occur on both sides of the face. However, the contraction does not occur on both sides of the face at the same time.

Causes

A blood vessel touching a facial nerve is the most common cause of hemifacial spasm. A facial nerve injury or a tumor, can also cause. Sometimes the cause is not known.

Hemifacial spasm, sometimes begins as a result of:

  • To move the muscles of the face.
  • Anxiety.
  • Stress.
  • Be tired.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of hemifacial spasm may involve a physical exam. Imaging tests may find the cause of the condition.

Magnetic resonance imaging uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the head. This may help find the cause of hemifacial spasm. A contrast dye is put into a blood vessel can show if a blood vessel is in contact with the facial nerve. This is called magnetic resonance angiography.

The diagnosis of hemifacial spasm, you don't always need an mri or other imaging tests. Imaging tests might be for people whose symptoms are not typical, or that they are going to do a surgery.

Treatment

Treatment for hemifacial spasm may include:

  • Injections of botulinum toxin. An injection of botulinum toxin (Botox) into the affected muscles keeps the muscles from moving for a time. This treatment should be repeated every few months. Controls symptoms in most people.
  • Other medications. Some medications, including seizure drugs, can relieve hemifacial spasm in some people.
  • Surgery.There are several types of surgery that can help to relieve hemifacial spasm. A type of surgery called a decompression, consists in making an opening in the skull and the opening of the covering of the brain, called the dura mater. This exposes the facial nerve where it leaves the brain stem. A surgeon is found in the blood vessel pressing on the facial nerve. Put a spongy material between the blood vessels and nerves, relieves the pressure on the nerve. This surgery often works to relieve hemifacial spasm. Other procedures include the destruction of parts of the facial nerve surgery and the heat and the radio waves, called radiofrequency thermocoagulation.

Surgery. There are several types of surgery that can help to relieve hemifacial spasm. A type of surgery called a decompression, consists in making an opening in the skull and the opening of the covering of the brain, called the dura mater. This exposes the facial nerve where it leaves the brain stem.

A surgeon is found in the blood vessel pressing on the facial nerve. Put a spongy material between the blood vessels and nerves, relieves the pressure on the nerve. This surgery often works to relieve hemifacial spasm.

Other procedures include the destruction of parts of the facial nerve surgery and the heat and the radio waves, called radiofrequency thermocoagulation.

Symptoms and treatment of Hemifacial spasm