title: Blepharospasm associated with multiple system atrophy: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Although blepharospasm has been occasionally associated with parkinsonism, it has rarely been reported in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA). We report a 65-year-old woman with MSA who developed blepharospasm seven years after onset, rendering her functionally blind. Clinical course and the findings of magnetic resonance imaging indicated cerebellar type MSA. The blink reflex studies showed prolonged R2 response and enhanced recovery cycle, indicating an increased excitability of the brainstem interneurons. These results suggest that pathophysiology of blepharospasm in MSA is similar to that of essential blepharospasm. Recognition of blepharospasm in MSA patients is important, as blepharospasm is a treatable feature in this otherwise intractable disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Juntendo University Izu-Nagaoka Hospital, 1129 Nagaoka, Izu-Nagaoka, Tagata, Shizuoka 410-2295, Japan.
authors.forename: Maki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kagohashi
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Okuma
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujishima
authors.forename: Tohru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kitada
authors.forename: Yoshikuni
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mizuno
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001764:Blepharospasm / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019578:Multiple System Atrophy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology