Hemifacial spasm causes uncomfortable symptoms for the patient due to the repetitive involuntary movements of the facial muscles on one side. Hemifacial spasm is currently being treated in Turkey.
What is hemifacial spasm?
It is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by involuntary contractions (tremors) of the facial muscles on one side.
It usually affects both men and women in the fifth or sixth decade of life.
The first symptom of hemifacial spasm is frequent twitching of the eyelid muscle. A rapid, frequent closing of the eye is observed in one end. The spasm may spread over time to other facial muscles.
It usually affects both men and women in the fifth or sixth decade of life.
The first symptom of hemifacial spasm is frequent twitching of the eyelid muscle. A rapid, frequent closing of the eye is observed in one end. The spasm may spread over time to other facial muscles.
hemifacial spasm
Causes of hemifacial spasm
Facial muscles are controlled by the facial nerve (the seventh nerve).
The facial nerve is stimulated by transmitting nerve signals from the brain to the facial muscles.
Hemifacial spasm occurs because the facial nerve is repeatedly stimulated involuntarily.
As a result, frequent involuntary twitching occurs in the muscles of one side of the face.
As a result, frequent involuntary twitching occurs in the muscles of one side of the face.
Facial nerve stimulation frequently occurs for one of the following reasons:
- A defect in the placement of a blood vessel pressing on the facial nerve (the most common cause)
- direct traumatic injury to the facial nerve
- A compressive mass such as a tumor pressing on the facial nerve
- unknown reasons
Symptoms of hemifacial spasm
- Blepharospasm that causes frequent eye twitching (twitching) on one side
- Over time, spasms of other facial muscles (the cheeks and around the mouth) are also seen.
- Cramps occur during sleep, which may disturb the patient and wake him up from sleep
- The cramps are naturally painless, but are uncomfortable for the patient
- In some cases, some suffer from hearing loss and tinnitus
- In advanced cases, a spasm occurs in the lower jaw, and the jaw turns to one side
- The contractions increase in severity if the patient is tired, tense, irritable and crying
Facial muscle spasm
Diagnosis of hemifacial spasm
Hemifacial spasm is diagnosed when a doctor notices involuntary movements on one side of a person's face.
Diagnosis is mainly based on clinical examination and seeing the signs.
The doctor orders an MRI scan to rule out other causes that may manifest as tics, such as tumors, structural abnormalities, or some diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
The doctor may inject a contrast material to see the abnormal blood vessel pressing on the facial nerve.
Diagnosis is mainly based on clinical examination and seeing the signs.
The doctor orders an MRI scan to rule out other causes that may manifest as tics, such as tumors, structural abnormalities, or some diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
The doctor may inject a contrast material to see the abnormal blood vessel pressing on the facial nerve.
Treatment of hemifacial spasm in Turkey
Treatment methods vary according to the severity of symptoms and the degree of response, including:
drug therapy
In the case of mild symptoms, anticonvulsant drugs (carbamazepine - clonazepam) can be used. These drugs work by blocking the nerve signals that cause tics.
Botulinum Injection (Botox)
In most cases, low doses of botulinum (BOT) are injected into the most effective treatmentfor botoxAround the muscles affected by the tics, botulinum works by impairing the movement of the injected muscles and preventing the spasms from occurring.
In most patients, muscle is re-injected every 3 to 6 months, and the need for re-injection varies according to the severity of the injury and the degree of response.
In most patients, muscle is re-injected every 3 to 6 months, and the need for re-injection varies according to the severity of the injury and the degree of response.
Botox injections
Side effects of botulinum injection
An injection of botulinum may be associated with side effects such as muscle disturbances, fatigue, feeling dizzy, and fever-like symptoms, and skin rashes and dry mouth may be seen, and serious symptoms may occur rarely if the dose is increased.
Microvascular decompression surgery
If there are blood vessels pressing on the facial nerve, surgery may be required.
The neurosurgeon makes an opening in the skull and exposes the facial nerve at its exit point from the brainstem.
The blood vessels in contact with the nerve are identified and then the surgeon uses a small metal plate to separate the blood vessel from the facial nerve.
The blood vessels in contact with the nerve are identified and then the surgeon uses a small metal plate to separate the blood vessel from the facial nerve.
Surgery to separate the pressure vessel from the nerve
Surgical results
In fact, this surgery carries excellent results that are satisfactory to the patient in most cases.
Most patients are discharged from the hospital two to three days after the operation.
If the operation is performed efficiently and by an expert surgeon, all symptoms will disappear immediately.
In some cases, symptoms can ease until they are completely gone a week after surgery.
Most patients are discharged from the hospital two to three days after the operation.
If the operation is performed efficiently and by an expert surgeon, all symptoms will disappear immediately.
In some cases, symptoms can ease until they are completely gone a week after surgery.
Surgical risks
No surgical procedure is completely free from risks. We mention some of the complications that may occur:
Some patients report temporary weakness in the facial muscles after surgery.
In very rare cases, cases have been reported Hearing loss.
In fact, surgery that is performed in advanced centers by qualified surgeons is often considered fairly safe.
Some patients report temporary weakness in the facial muscles after surgery.
In very rare cases, cases have been reported Hearing loss.
In fact, surgery that is performed in advanced centers by qualified surgeons is often considered fairly safe.
Surgery in Turkey
Turkey is one of the leading countries in the field of neurosurgery due to the presence of advanced centers equipped with the latest necessary technologies and the presence of a capable medical team capable of successfully performing such operations.
Bimaristan Medical Center is your first choice for treatment in Turkey.
We guide you to the best expert specialists in all departments.
We facilitate the language of communication between you and everyone through specialized Arab doctors who will help you communicate with your doctor.
We help you secure the right treatment and high-end service in the most modern hospitals and medical centers in Turkey.
We provide our services extensively and precisely.
We accompany you step by step towards recovery.
Free consultations around the clock.
do not hesitate contact us, Bimaristan Family Center in Turkey.
Is hemifacial spasm a common disease?
In fact, hemifacial spasm is a rare disease, with 11 people out of every 100,000 people affected worldwide, and it occurs more often in women, with a ratio of 2:1.
It is more commonly seen in Asian and Mediterranean countries.
some Sources She indicated that the incidence of hemifacial spasm is more on the left side than on the right side.
Almost always, cramping occurs on one side of the face, but in very rare cases, facial cramping may occur on both sides.
It is more commonly seen in Asian and Mediterranean countries.
some Sources She indicated that the incidence of hemifacial spasm is more on the left side than on the right side.
Almost always, cramping occurs on one side of the face, but in very rare cases, facial cramping may occur on both sides.
protection
In fact, there are no ways to prevent the disease, but there are ways to reduce and control facial spasms by avoiding the factors that contribute to the occurrence of spasms such as tension, anxiety, fatigue and excitement.
According to studies, doing facial massage or exercises with the device may help improve the condition of the injured person.
Also, getting some rest and drinking coffee in moderation helps relieve cramps.
Taking an appropriate amount of vitamin D and magnesium also helps relieve cramps.
According to studies, doing facial massage or exercises with the device may help improve the condition of the injured person.
Also, getting some rest and drinking coffee in moderation helps relieve cramps.
Taking an appropriate amount of vitamin D and magnesium also helps relieve cramps.
Diseases similar to hemifacial spasm
There are other diseases that show symptoms somewhat similar to facial spasm, such as:
Facial nerve palsy or otherwise known as Bell's neuralgia.
Tumors affecting the head and neck are benign or malignant.
A case of oculomotor neuritis (damage to the third nerve).
A disease known as blepharospasm: It is important to distinguish between the two diseases. Blepharospasm usually affects only small muscles around the eyelids, while hemifacial spasm can affect several muscles in the face.
Tumors affecting the head and neck are benign or malignant.
A case of oculomotor neuritis (damage to the third nerve).
A disease known as blepharospasm: It is important to distinguish between the two diseases. Blepharospasm usually affects only small muscles around the eyelids, while hemifacial spasm can affect several muscles in the face.
Frequently asked questions about hemifacial spasm treatment
Is hemifacial spasm dangerous?
In general, hemifacial spasm does not pose a danger to the patient, but it causes uncomfortable uncomfortable symptoms for the patient that may cause him embarrassment in his social life.
How is hemifacial spasm treated?
In most cases, hemifacial spasm is treated with Botox injections to relieve facial spasms, and some medications can be used to relieve symptoms, and in severe cases, surgery is required.
What are the factors that increase facial spasms?
There are some factors that increase hemifacial spasms, such as anxiety, tension and agitation, and usually these spasms may increase during reading and speaking.
What is the cause of hemifacial spasm?
The cause of hemifacial spasm in most cases is due to a blood flow that presses on the facial nerve, and the cause can be a traumatic injury to the facial nerve or a tumor pressing on the nerve.