Highlights
- •The “other Babinski sign” consists in eyebrow elevation during eye closure.
- •It is highly specific of peripheral hyperkinetic facial disorders.
- •It carries a specificity of 76% for the diagnosis of hemifacial spasm.
Abstract
Background
The “other Babinski sign” consists in the co-contraction of the orbicularis and frontalis
muscles, causing an eyebrow elevation during ipsilateral eye closure. It cannot be
voluntarily reproduced.
Aims of the study
To determine the utility of this sign in the differential diagnosis of hyperkinetic
facial disorders.
Methods
The presence of the sign was assessed in consecutive patients with blepharospasm,
primary hemifacial spasm or post-paralytic facial syndrome treated in a botulinum
toxin outpatient clinic.
Results
Of the 99 patients identified, 86 were included, 41 with blepharospasm (32 female,
mean age 71 ± 11 years), 28 with hemifacial spasm (16 female, mean age 65 ± 12 years) and 17 with post-paralytic facial syndrome (14 female, mean age 50 ± 17 years). The sign was detected in 67.9% of the patients with hemifacial spasm, in 23.5%
of the post-paralytic facial syndrome group and in none of the patients with blepharospasm,
exhibiting a sensitivity of 51% and a specificity of 100% for the diagnosis of hemifacial
spasm/post-paralytic facial syndrome and a specificity of 76% for hemifacial spasm,
compared to post-paralytic facial syndrome.
Conclusions
This sign is highly specific for the diagnosis of peripherally induced hyperkinetic
facial disorders. Its assessment should integrate the routine examination of patients
with abnormal facial movements.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 22, 2017
Accepted:
April 21,
2017
Received in revised form:
April 12,
2017
Received:
November 27,
2016
Footnotes
☆This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
