title: Hemifacial spasm. Nerve block with phenol under electromyographic control.
abstract: Seven cases of hemifacial spasm are described. Six were operated upon with intra-osseal exposure of the facial nerve. In all 6 cases transient peripheral facial paresis developed. When the paresis disappeared the patients had a recurrence of the spasms. As an alternative to surgical procedures a method for selective nerve block under E. M. G. control with 3% phenol is described and 5 cases have been treated with this method. Ambulatory treatment with deposition of 3% phenol in the main branch of the facial nerve appears to have an equally good effect to the surgical methods hitherto used. Examination with E. M. G. suggested that the hemifacial spasm is of central origin.
mesh_terms: D004576:Electromyography; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods*; D010636:Phenols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013035:Spasm / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D010636:Phenols