Botulinum toxin treatment of hemifacial spasm and blepharospasm: Objective response evaluation

Twenty seven patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS) and sixteen patients with blepharospasm (BS) having mean Jankovic disability rating scale score of 2.56 +/- 0.58 SD and 2.81 +/- 0.54 SD, respectively, were treated with botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections. The total number of injection sessions were ninety one with relief response in 98.91%, The mean improvement in function scale score was 3.78 +/- 0.64 SD and 3.29 +/- 1.07 SD respectively, in HFS and BS groups. The clinical benefit induced by botulinum toxin lasted for a mean of 4.46 +/- 3.11 SD (range 2 to 13) months in HFS group and 2.66 +/- 1.37 SD (range 1 to 6) months, in BS groups. Transient ptosis was seen in 4.39% of total ninety one injection sessions. These findings show that local botulinum toxin treatment provides effective, safe and long lasting relief of spasms.