Hemimasticatory Spasm: Report of a Case and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: Hemimasticatory Spasm is a very rare disorder. Case report: A 62-year-old woman consulted with 30 years of unusual involuntary twitches in preauricular region and spasms that hamper jaw opening.  During the spasms she cannot open her mouth for several seconds. At physical examination we observed hypertrophy of the masseter and temporalis muscles, shared features with Hemimasticatory Spasm. She was treated with botulinum toxin type A with excellent response. Discussion: Hemimasticatory Spasm is a rare movement disorder, but given the excellent response to botulinum toxin type A treatment, it should be considered in the spectrum of facial spasms.