Hemifacial Spasm Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

• Intermittent twitching of the eyelid muscle
• Forced closure of the eye
• Spasms of the muscles of the lower face
• Mouth pulled to one side
• Continuous spasms involving all the muscles on one side of the face

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. Tests may include the following:

• Electromyography (EMG) —a test that measures and records electrical activity generated in muscle at rest and in response to muscle contraction
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the head
• Computed tomography (CT) scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the head
• Angiography —an x-ray exam of the blood vessels when they are filled with a contrast material