title: Botulinum a toxin treatment of hemifacial spasm and blepharospasm.
abstract: We studied the effects of botulinum A toxin in 101 patients with hemifacial spasm and 11 patients with blepharospasm in an open trial and double blind manner. All patients in the open trial and 6 patients in the double blind trial improved after the first injection of botulinum toxin. There was no improvement with placebo. The peak effect ranged from one to 6 days after injection and mean peak effect was 3.6 days in blepharospasm, and 4 days in hemifacial spasm. Of 144 treatments, 98.6% had excellent results, (below grade I). The duration of beneficial effect ranged 11 to 40 weeks (mean 16.5 weeks) in hemifacial spasm and 9 to 30 weeks (mean 14.2 weeks) in blepharospasm. Complications were encountered in 63.4% in hemifacial spasm and 72.7% in blepharospasm. The common side effects were dry eyes, mouth droop, ptosis and lid edema in order of frequency. These side effects were mild and resolved spontaneously in 1 to 3 weeks. Botulinum A toxin therapy is effective and convenient, and the treatment of choice for patients with hemifacial spasm and blepharospasm.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Taegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Yi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001764:Blepharospasm / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005152:Facial Muscles; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013035:Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D001905:Botulinum Toxins