Botulinum toxin for treatment of blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm

Botulinum toxin produced by Clostridium butolinum in one of the most fatal toxins known. Botulism is the name given to condition produced by this toxin. In recent years the diluted form of this toxin has been produced in injection form and used for treatment of hemifacial spasm and blepharospasm. This toxin blocks neuromuscular junction and inhibits acetylcholine release. In this article we reported 36 patients suffering from hemifacial & blepharospasm treated by injections of botulinum A toxin. 85 to 90 percent of patients responded well. The common complications of this drug were ptosis, hemifacial paresis, burning of the mouth and discoloration of the injection site. Generally speaking the patients preferred this toxin to taking oral medications which were less effective.