Hemifacial spasm is a neuromuscular movement disorder that is characterized by persistent involuntary contractions of the muscles innervated by the facial nerve. Its prevalence has been estimated at 11 cases per 100, 000 individuals. People do not have control over these spasms, and very often they continue even during sleep. Hemifacial spasm is a movement disorder of the muscles innervated by the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII).
This movement disorder triggers involuntary short or longer contractions of the facial muscles. Although the disorder does not have life-threatening consequences, affected persons often suffer immensely and tend to increasingly withdraw socially. As a severe psychosocial stressor, the condition requires timely diagnosis and therapy. Clinical presentation The spasm is characterized by progressive, involuntary, irregular, clonic or tonic movements of the muscles…
