Idiopathic hemifacial spasm responsive to zonisamide: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
We describe a patient with idiopathic hemifacial spasm (HFS) that was responsive to zonisamide treatment.


RESULTS
A 65-year-old woman presented with a 4-year history of left-sided HFS developing gradually, starting from the upper facial muscles. After several analyses, the diagnosis of idiopathic HFS was made, and the clonazepam treatment (0.5 mg every 8 hours) was started, without a complete remission of symptoms. Therefore, zonisamide (150 mg twice a day for a 6-week period) was added, with a complete resolution. The rechallenge with zonisamide after its dechallenge confirmed its effectiveness. During follow-up, the patient remained symptom-free, with no adverse drug reactions.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that zonisamide could represent a useful therapeutic option in the treatment of idiopathic HFS.
Siniscalchi
Antonio
A
Department of Neuroscience, Neurology Division, Annunziata Hospital, Cosenza, Italy.
Gallelli
Luca
L
Palleria
Caterina
C
De Sarro
Giovambattista
G
D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D019569:Hemifacial Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000078305:Zonisamide
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D007555:Isoxazoles; D000078305:Zonisamide; D002998:Clonazepam