Orofacial Dystonia and Other Oromandibular Movement Disorders

Orofacial movement disorders (OMD) are a group of conditions that affect the motor aspect of the trigeminal, facial, and hypoglossal cranial nerves. These alterations are produced by pathologic disorders affecting the central nervous system, manifesting as isolated or combined hyperkinetic dysfunctional activities on the masticatory, facial mimic, or tongue musculatures. A comprehensive understanding of orofacial dystonias is essential to identify different variants of OMD that could be easily mislabeled or misdiagnosed. In this chapter, the authors focus on different aspects of the pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical features, and management of orofacial dystonias and other movement disorders that are poorly recognized but not uncommon presentations of OMD, such as orofacial dyskinesias, drug-induced orofacial reactions, tardive orofacial syndromes, and bruxism

Management of oromandibular dystonia on a chorea acanthocytosis: a brief review of the literature and a clinical case

<p>Background: Chorea acanthocytosis is an extremely rare neurodegenerative condition characterized by neuropsychiatric disturbances, movement disorders, neuropathy, seizures, and acanthocytosis. In this case report, the authors will present the management of the oromandibular movement disorders associated with this disease.</p> <p>Case Description: This case report describes the focal management of the severe orofacial manifestations associated with this condition. The therapeutic approach adopted to reduce the severe oromandibular movements, dysphagia, and the numerous oral ulcers was selective electromyography (EMG)-guided botulinum toxin application to the inferior head of the lateral pterygoid muscles and masseters. This would be applied to control severe and sudden oromandibular dystonia.</p> <p>Results: Through this procedure, the authors were able to reduce these severe oral manifestations, which had a major impact on the patient's quality of life, and temporarily improve vital functions, such as mastication, deglutition, and speech articulation.</p> <p>Conclusions: Electromyography-guided botulinum toxin application may be a useful tool in the multimodal management of this condition.</p