Hypothenar Dimpling. A peripheral equivalent of Hemifacial Spasm?
In two patients, the skin over both hypothenar eminences underwent intermittent, spontaneous, irregular, dimpling contractions. The dimpling was benign, and was the result of spontaneous discharge of motor units in the palmaris brevis muscle. Electrophysiological investigations localized the site of origin of the discharge to the ulnar nerve, possibly at the wrist, but there was no clinical or physiological evidence of neuropathy or of nerve compression. In many respects, the clinical and electrophysiological features of hypothenar dimpling resemble hemifacial spasm.
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D009431:Neural Conduction; D011930:Reaction Time; D013981:Tic Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology