Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is an involuntary twitching or contraction of the facial muscles on one side of the face. Some people refer to hemifacial spasms as lip muscle spasms. The spasms are painless but can be embarrassing and interfere with normal expression and movement. Middle-aged and elderly women are the most often affected by hemifacial spasm, and it’s most common after the age of 44.

CAUSES:
  • Blood vessel pressing on a facial nerve
  • Injury to the facial nerve
  • Tumor
  • Bell’s Palsy
SYMPTOMS:
  • Twitching of the eyelid muscle that comes and goes.
  • Spasms may start at the eye and spread to your cheeks and lips.
  • The spasms can also cause your mouth to be pulled to one side.
  • In rare cases, people have twitching on both sides of their face.
DIAGNOSIS:
  • Your doctor will perform a physical exam, neurological exam and review medical history.
  • An MRI scan may be ordered
  • An EMG (electromyogram) may be conducted with a NCV (nerve conduction velocity) study

TREATMENTS:

The treatment that your doctor selects will depend on the cause and severity of your condition.
  • Medications, such as anticonvulsant drugs and muscle relaxants may be prescribed.
  • Botox (botulinum toxin) injections. Botox injection is the most commonly used and the most effective treatment of hemifacial spasm. To relieve the spasms, your doctor will inject Botox into the affected muscles to paralyze them.
  • Microvascular decompression surgery. If your disorder is more severe, your doctor may recommend microvascular decompression surgery.