OPERATION FOR BLEPHAROSPASM

Operation for Blepharospasm.

BLEPHAROSPASM is an involuntary spasmodic but tonic contraction of the orbicularis oculi that may last a few seconds to a few minutes spaced by periods of relaxation. It tends to become progressive and bilateral and is often associated with spasms of other muscles innervated by the facial nerve. It is difficult to treat and is not subject to spontaneous resolution. The usual medical remedies (d...

Edrophonium Challenge Test for Blepharospasm

BACKGROUND Blepharospasm is typically diagnosed by excluding any secondary diseases and neuropsychiatric disorders, as specific tests for blepharospasm are currently unavailable. Since anticholinergic agents are used to improve the symptoms of dystonia, we hypothesized that edrophonium chloride, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, may make the symptoms of dystonia more apparent. Therefore, we ex...

Animal Models for Investigating Benign Essential Blepharospasm

The focal dystonia benign essential blepharospasm (BEB) affects as many as 40,000 individuals in the United States. This dystonia is characterized by trigeminal hyperexcitability, photophobia, and most disabling of the symptoms, involuntary spasms of lid closure that can produce functional blindness. Like many focal dystonias, BEB appears to develop from the interaction between a predisposing c...

Screening for Cognitive Impairments in Primary Blepharospasm

BACKGROUNDS Studies have reported that non-motor symptoms are an important component of primary dystonia. However, evidence supporting cognitive impairment in primary dystonia is limited and contradictory. METHODS We applied the Chinese version of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to screen for cognitive impairment in patients with pr...

Management of Essential Blepharospasm