title: Attenuation of facial muscle spasticity with intramuscular phenol neurolysis.
abstract: Intramuscular phenol neurolysis is a well-known procedure used to decrease spasticity and improve function in patients who have failed to respond to more conservative forms of intervention. Traditionally, this approach has been limited to spasticity reduction in limb muscles, and its use in managing spasticity of the facial muscles has not been described in the literature. This case report describes a new and previously unreported application of intramuscular neurolysis for managing severe unrelenting facial muscle spasticity in a postanoxic encephalopathic patient. Prior to the procedure, hypertonicity in the orbicularis oris muscle was so profound that it limited speech and affected cosmetic, hygienic, and nutritional status. After intramuscular phenol neurolysis of the orbicularis oris muscle, the patient's level of functioning improved.
authors.affiliation: Unified Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Greenbaum
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Frank
mesh_terms: D004435:Eating; D005152:Facial Muscles; D006801:Humans; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000150:complications*; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D019800:Phenol; D010636:Phenols; D013060:Speech
chemical_list: D010636:Phenols; D019800:Phenol