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Botulinum toxin in the treatment of blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm

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Summary

Blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm are the two most common craniofacial movement disorders. Blepharospasm is a syndrome characterized by excessive or continuous eye closure related to overactivity of the orbicularis oculi and adjacent muscles bilaterally. Hemifacial spasm is a peripherally-induced movement disorder typically caused by vascular compression of cranial nerve VII (CN VII) leading to involuntary unilateral contractions of muscles used in facial expression. Treatment options for both conditions include medications, botulinum toxin, and various surgical interventions. This article summarizes the existing medical literature which indicates that botulinum toxin is the treatment of choice for blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.

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  1. Parkinson’s Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

    C. Kenney & J. Jankovic

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  1. C. Kenney
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  2. J. Jankovic
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Correspondence to C. Kenney.

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Correspondence: Christopher Kenney, Parkinson’s Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, 6550 Fannin, Suite 1801, Houston, Texas 77030, USA

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Kenney, C., Jankovic, J. Botulinum toxin in the treatment of blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. J Neural Transm 115, 585–591 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00702-007-0768-7

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