Bell's palsy-induced blepharospasm relieved by passive eyelid closure and responsive to apomorphine

Objective: We describe the case of a woman with Bell's Palsy-induced blepharospasm (BPIB) of the right eye that appeared simultaneously with a complete left facial nerve palsy. The involuntary spasm was relieved by passive lowering of the upper eyelid on the paretic side. Methods: The recovery curve of the blink reflex was evaluated on the non-paretic side in baseline conditions, after subcutaneous apomorphine and placebo administration and 8 months later, at recovery from the palsy. Results: We found increased recovery of the test-R2 responses at short interstimulus intervals at baseline, which was normalised by apomorphine but not by placebo. At recovery the blink reflex R2 recovery curve returned to normal. Conclusions: This report demonstrates for the first time a response of BPIB to a dopamine agonist. Significance: Our findings are in agreement with an animal model of blepharospasm that suggests a combined role of weakness of the orbicularis oculi muscle and a dysfunction of the dopaminergic system in the pathogenesis of this disorder. © 2005 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.