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Hemifacial spasm due to airbag injury

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Hemifacial spasm due to airbag injury

This woman developed left hemifacial spasm after an airbag was deployed in a motor vehicle accident. The spasms are relieved by botulinum toxin. She exhibits mild left facial weakness. The left palpebral fissure is narrower than the right. The left eye closes when she attempts to purse her lips and, to a lesser extent, when she bares her teeth or smiles (synkinesia), consistent with chronic facial nerve injury and aberrant reinnervation. (Contributed by Dr. Joseph Jankovic.)

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Associated Disorders

  • Hearing loss due to stapedius muscle spasm
  • Neurovascular compression
  • Tinnitus (Subjective tinnitus)
  • Tremors
  • Trigeminal neuralgia (Trigeminal neuralgia and other cranial neuralgias)