Loading icon
Health Information Center

Hemifacial Spasm

Authors:
  • Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
Publication Type:

Condition

Hemifacial Spasm

Definition

Hemifacial spasm (HS) causes muscles to contract on one side of the face. A person cannot control the spasm.

Causes

HS does not always have a cause. It may be due to:

  • A blood vessel pressing on the facial nerve
  • Facial nerve injury
  • Tumor
Muscles of the Face.

Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Muscles of the Facehttp://services.epnet.com/getimage.aspx?imageiid=798979893DSAE9258e_40018_1.jpgMuscles of the FaceNULLjpgMuscles of the FaceNULL\\hgfiler1\intellect\images\3DSAE9258e_40018_1.jpgNULL130NULL2010-05-20400300325225Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Risk Factors

HS is more common in older women. It is also more common in people who are Asian.

Symptoms

Problems may be:

  • Twitching of the eyelid muscle that causes the eye to close
  • A mouth that is pulled to one side
  • Spasms of all the muscles on one side of the face

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on the face.

Pictures of the head may be taken. This can be done with:

Nerve and muscle function may be tested. This can be done with electromyography (EMG).

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to ease pressure on the nerve. This can be done with:

  • Injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) to temporarily stop spasms
  • Antiseizure medicine

Some people may need surgery to reposition a blood vessel that is pressing on a nerve.

Prevention

There are no known guidelines to prevent this problem.

RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

References

  • Hemifacial spasm information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/hemifacial-spasm.
  • OnabotulinumtoxinA. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/drug-monograph/onabotulinumtoxina.

Contributors

  • Teresa Briedwell, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS
Last Updated:
2022-08-01

(C) Copyright 2023 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.