muscle spasm

Introduction

Distinct from muscle rigidity & paratonia.

Etiology

• increase in muscle tone due to motor neuron disease
• hemifacial spasm result from paroxysmal facial nerve activity - tortuous blood vessel adjacent to the facial nerve as it exits the brainstem
  • painless
  • symptoms intermittent & intensified when using facial muscles as in speaking
  • commonly occurs in muscles about the eye
  • may involve entire side of face

Pathology

• velocity-dependent
• sudden release after reaching a maximum (clasp-knife)
• predominantly effects anti-gravity muscles
  • upper limb flexors more than extensors
  • lower limb extensors more than flexors

Laboratory

• serum electrolytes
• serum Mg+2, serum Ca+2, serum albumin
• serum creatine kinase

Diagnostic procedures

• electromyogram
• electroencephalogram

Management

• skeletal muscle relaxant
  • benzodiazepines
  • baclofen
  • cyclobenzaprine
  • tizanidine
• quinine

More general terms

• sign/symptom

More specific terms

• anal spasm; proctodynia; proctalgia fugax; levator ani syndrome; anal cold
• blepharospasm
• carpopedal spasm
• hemifacial spasm
• laryngospasm

Additional terms

• muscle rigidity
• muscle tone
• paratonia (gegenhalten)
• spasticity