ISSN:
1434-4726
Keywords:
Hemifacial spasm
;
Botulinum toxin
;
Clostridium botulinum
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Hemifacial spasm is nearly always a unilateral disease of the facial musculature and is characterized by involuntary tonic or clonic cramps that considerably reduce the affected patient's quality of life. In the past, a number of different conservative and operative therapeutic procedures have been applied for the treatment of hemifacial spasm. In many cases these attempts failed to control the disease permanently or resulted in unwanted, sometimes strong, side effects. We report our own experiences with botulinum therapy in 29 patients with hemifacial spasm (78 therapeutic sessions). In our patients the mean duration of an effect after treatment with botulinum toxin was 18.2 weeks. Side effects were rare. Our results since 1990 at the University of Göttingen demonstrate that subcutaneous application of toxin from Clostridium botulinum to involved facial muscles represents a reliable method for successful treatment of hemifacial spasm.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00181883
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