HEMIFACIAL SPASM

Course overview

HEMIFACIAL SPASM (HFS) IS A DISORDER CHARACTERIZED BY PAROXYSMAL, INVOLUNTARY TWITCHING OF FACIAL MUSCLES OF ONE SIDE OF THE FACE INNERVATED BY THE IPSILATERAL FACIAL NERVE (SEVENTH CRANIAL NERVE). IT IS CONSIDERED A SUBTYPE OF PERIPHERAL (NEUROMUSCULAR) MOVEMENT DISORDER. AS THE NAME SUGGESTS, THE DISORDER IS ALMOST ALWAYS UNILATERAL EXCEPT IN SOME RARE CASES OF SEVERE HEMIFACIAL SPASM (LESS THAN 5%), DURING WHICH ONE CAN SEE THE BILATERAL INVOLVEMENT OF FACIAL MUSCLES. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE CAUSE OF HEMIFACIAL SPASMS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THEIR MANAGEMENT.