LAUSR

Blepharospasm is a form of focal dystonia that manifests mainly in the orbicularis oculi muscle, leading to forced involuntary eyelid closure. Severe blepharospasm can cause functional blindness that may result in motor vehicle accidents and impaired quality of life. The most frequently performed treatment for blepharospasm is botulinum toxin (BTX) injections, which are also used for treating other focal dystonias [1]. However, some blepharospasm is refractory to BTX. Pallidotomy, involving coagulation of the globus pallidus internus (GPi), is a surgical treatment for dystonia and is performed for blepharospasm with other craniocervical dystonia (Meige syndrome) and generalized dystonia [2,3]. However, it has never been used for isolated blepharospasm. Here, we report a case of blepharospasm refractory to BTX that was treated using unilateral pallidotomy.