Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hemifacial spasm in two dogs caused by brain tumors
By Van Meervenne, S A E et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2008·Department of Small Animal Medicine and Clinical Biology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hemifacial spasm associated with an intracranial mass in two dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Beagle and a 7-year-old Labrador were brought in for unusual facial twitching, known as hemifacial spasm. Imaging tests showed both dogs had an intracranial mass affecting the nerves controlling facial muscles. In the Beagle, the mass was irritating the facial nerve directly, while in the Labrador, it was disrupting signals from the brain. Unfortunately, the outcomes for both dogs were serious, and they required further evaluation and treatment options from their veterinarian.
People also search for: dog facial twitching · Beagle hemifacial spasm · Labrador intracranial mass treatment
Abstract
Two dogs were presented with hemifacial spasm. Computed tomography images of both the dogs revealed an intracranial mass. In the first dog, a lesion at the level of the medulla oblongata was thought to cause primary irritation of the facial nucleus, with consequently permanent contraction of the ipsilateral facial muscles. In the second dog, a mass seemingly arising from the middle cranial fossa presumably isolated the facial motor neurons from upper motor neuron control, which resulted in hemifacial spasm as a result of loss of inhibitory interneuronal activity.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18631227/