Hemifacial spasm and blepharospasm: Case reports, treatment considerations and implications for etiology

Abstract

Previous reports of the effectiveness of behavioural approaches in the treatment of blepharospasm prompted application of a modified behavioral package to two hemifacial spasm patients. The presentation and treatment details of these two cases are described with complete remission of symptoms in one patient and 50% reduction in severity for the second patient. Both hemifacial spasm and blepharospasm are traditionally unresponsive to medication and are treated by a variety of neurosurgical techniques, thus implying a strong organic etiology for the conditions. The cases presented here, and earlier cases presented elsewhere suggest that a learning model may be appropriate to explain etiology for an unknown number of patients who are surgically treated at present. This is discussed in the light of existing literature on the conditions along with methodological and theoretical issues.