title: [Hemifacial spasm treated with botulinum toxin].
abstract: Botulinum toxin produces a transient presynaptic focal block at the neuromuscular junction. Thus it induces muscle weakness which has a significant beneficial effect on hemifacial spasm. Fifty-four patients were treated and received at least 2 and at the most 22 consecutive injections over a 5-year period. Injections were repeated every 9 weeks on average. The interval between injections corresponded to the time elapsed between the last injection and the re-emergence of spasms. Nineteen patients abandoned the treatment for various reasons. The most frequent side-effect was a ptosis which was observed in 1 out of 6 injections. Ptosis is due to diffusion of the botulinum toxin over a territory larger than expected. The results obtained in 42 patients were analyzed: there was no effect in 7 patients (17%); 11 patients improved by less than 50%; 13 by 50 to 70% and 11 more than 75%.
authors.affiliation: Service de Neurochirurgie du CMC Foch, Suresnes, France.
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Jedynak
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Palfi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vidailhet
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kullmann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005152:Facial Muscles; D005155:Facial Nerve Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D013035:Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001905:Botulinum Toxins
vernacular_title: Traitement du spasme hémifacial par la toxine botulique.