Meige syndrome: what's in a name?

Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2009 Aug;15(7):483-9. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2009.04.006. Epub 2009 May 19.

Abstract

Frequently, blepharospasm is associated with involuntary movements of the platysma, lower face and masticatory muscles. Similarly, masticatory dystonia may occur in isolation or in combination with dystonia of other cranial and cervical muscles. The non-possessive and possessive forms of Meige and Brueghel syndromes have been variably and imprecisely ascribed to various anatomical variations of craniocervical dystonia. Herein, the origin of eponymic terms as applied to craniocervical dystonia is reviewed as support for proposed elimination of these eponyms from clinical usage. Although the term "segmental craniocervical dystonia" more accurately captures the combination of blepharospasm and dystonia of other head and neck muscles, delineation of craniocervical subphenotypes is essential for etiological/genetic and treatment studies. To conclude, the clinical features, epidemiology, pathophysiology and therapeutic management of segmental craniocervical dystonia are examined with a particular focus on "blepharospasm-plus" subphenotypes.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Dyskinesia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Botulinum Toxins / therapeutic use
  • Dystonia / complications
  • Dystonia / therapy
  • Facial Muscles / drug effects
  • Facial Muscles / physiopathology
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Meige Syndrome* / history
  • Meige Syndrome* / pathology
  • Meige Syndrome* / physiopathology
  • Meige Syndrome* / therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Dyskinesia Agents
  • Botulinum Toxins