[Blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm treated with botulinum A toxin injection].

OBJECTIVE

To study the efficacy of botulinum A toxin (BTA) injections for the treatment of blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm (HFS).

METHODS

Twelve patients with blepharospasm and thirty eight patients with HFS were treated with BTA local injections (2.5 U to 5 U for each injection).

RESULTS

Of the fifty patients, ten (86.7%) in blepharospasm and thirty two (84.2%) in HFS were completely relieved, two (13.3%) and five (13.2%) were remarkably relieved respectively, zero and one (2.6%) were partial relieved respectively. All patients experienced relief from spasm. The duration of the effect in blepharospasm were 10 to 24 weeks (mean, 18 weeks) and in HFS 14 to 32 weeks (mean, 22 weeks). The local side effects were transient and mild, including minor facial paralysis in eight patients, ptosis in four patients and tearing in four patients. No systemic adverse and allergic reactions were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

Botulinum A toxin local injection is a safe, effective and simple means for the treatment of blepharospasm and HFS.