PubMed · 704778
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J O Cavenar, I J Brantley, E Braasch. 1978. Blepharospasm: organic or functional?. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0033-3182(78)70921-7
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We studied 115 Japanese patients with idiopathic cranial dystonia (Meige disease), using surface electromyography (EMG) focused on the orbicularis oculi muscles to classify the findings of the abnormal involuntary movements of this disease and to evaluate the pathophysiology of blepharospasm (BS). Surface EMGs at rest and at voluntary eyelid opening after eyelid closing were investigated. We found 62 (53.9%) patients exhibiting the overblinking type, 37 (32.2%) the tonic BS type, and 16 (13.9%) the normal type of behavior, considering the frequency of spontaneous blinking and presence of spasms. The present results suggest that BS is not a summation of blinking but a spatial and temporal extension of the orbicularis oculi muscle activity engaging in blinking, and the classification of the present study can support the investigation of the temporal characteristics of patients with this disease.
A case of bilateral blepharospasm who registered the efficacy of edrophonium was reported. The case is a 49-year-old female. She had been in good health until January, 1991 when she complained of difficulty in opening her eyes while driving. Thereafter the condition progressed to such a degree that she was unable to experience a comfortable life. Her blinking rate did not changed. The symptoms were triggered by stress or some physical action, such as walking or driving. They were attenuated by taking a bath, sleep or sedation. The severity of the symptoms varied during the day and from day to day. Neurological examination revealed bilateral spasms of the orbicular oculi muscles, and occasionally of the orbicular oris muscles, sternocleidmastoid muscles and the perinasal regions. Neither orolingual dyskinesia nor other involuntary movements were detected. Surface electromyography (EMG) disclosed tonic discharges mainly from the orbicular oculi muscles. The abnormal spasm disappeared with the injection of edrophonium chloride. The test for the serum antiacetylcholine receptor antibody was negative and a repetitive stimulation EMG showed no waning phenomenon. No thymoma or thymus abnormalities were detected by pneumomediastinography. A needle EMG revealed neurogenic change in the distal portion of the limbs. A single fiber EMG showed elongation of the jitter value and the blocking phenomenon. Although distigmine bromide was ineffective against the spasm, pyridostigmine bromide and the local injection of botulinum toxin were very effective.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)