Objective: To assess the frequency of Babinski-2 sign among patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS).

Background: The Babinski-2 sign (“the other” Babinski sign, “brow-lift sign”), is a physical sign specifically found in patients with HFS, is manifested by unilateral contraction of the frontalis muscle, causing eyebrow elevation, with simultaneous contraction of the ipsilateral orbicularis oculi muscle, causing eyelid closure. The Babinski-2 sign is an under-recognized physical sign specifically found in patients with hemifacial spasm (HFS), although its prevalence is variable in different series.

Methods: We examined 182 patients with HFS prospectively for the presence of the Babinski-2 sign. We then evaluated its correlation with variables including sex and side of the HFS and facial paralysis. All assessments were performed by video recording by two movement disorder specialists.

Results: The cohort consists of 182 patients with HFS, 122 females and 60 males with mean age of 59.43 ± 12.13 years (range, 29-86 yrs). The Babinski-2 sign was present 63 (34.6.9%) of the HFS patients (female: 41, male: 63).  Eight patients (4.4%) had secondary HFS resulting from Bell’s palsy,and none had Babinski-2 sign. The frequency of teh Babinski-2 sign was not different in both sex.

Conclusions: The Babinski-2 sign, found in 34.6 % of our patients with HFS, is an under-recognized physical sign which can be used to distinguish HFS from other facial movement disorders including blepharospasm. The treatment of HFS with Babinski-2 should include injecitons of corrugator muscle on the affected side.

« Back to 2017 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/prevalence-of-babinski-2-sign-in-hemifacial-spasm-patients/