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Last updated: April 14, 2008
Years published: 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2006
Meige syndrome is a rare neurological movement disorder characterized by involuntary and often forceful contractions of the muscles of the jaw and tongue (oromandibular dystonia) and involuntary muscle spasms and contractions of the muscles around the eyes (blepharospasm). The specific symptoms and their severity vary from case to case.
Meige syndrome belongs to a group of disorders known as dystonia. Dystonia is a group of movement disorders that vary in their symptoms, causes, progression, and treatments. This group of neurological conditions is generally characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that force the body into abnormal, sometimes painful, movements and positions (postures). The exact cause of Meige syndrome is unknown.
Meige syndrome is characterized by the combination of blepharospasm and oromandibular dystonia. The severity of these conditions varies from case to case. Meige syndrome most often affects middle-aged individuals.
Blepharospasm is characterized by frequent or forced blinking and eye irritation that often occurs as a result of specific stimuli including bright lights, fatigue, emotional tension, and environmental factors such as wind or air pollution. The frequency of muscle spasms and contractions may increase causing narrowing of the opening between the eyelids or involuntary closure of the eyelids. It may become progressively harder for affected individuals to keep their eyes open. Blepharospasm may originally affect one eye (unilateral), but usually becomes (bilateral). Some individuals with Meige syndrome may experience abnormally dry eyes.
Oromandibular dystonia is characterized by involuntary, forceful contractions of the jaw and tongue, often making it difficult to open or close the mouth. Some individuals may also experience clenching or grinding of the teeth, displacement of the jaw, grimacing, chin thrusting, or repeated pursing of the lips. Eyelid and facial muscle tone may gradually decline.
Some people with Meige syndrome may also experience spasms of the tongue and throat, resulting in repeated protrusion of the tongue from the mouth and difficulty swallowing. Muscle spasms of the respiratory tract may lead to breathing difficulties (dyspnea). In some cases, muscles in the neck, arms, legs or other muscle groups may become affected.
The cause of Meige syndrome is unknown. Researchers speculate that the cause of Meige syndrome may be multifactorial (e.g., caused by the interaction of certain genetic and environmental factors).
Malfunctioning of a region of the brain known as the basal ganglia may play a role in the development of Meige syndrome. The basal ganglia is a structure composed of nerve cells located at the base of the brain. The basal ganglia is involved in the regulation of motor and learning functions. The exact problem(s) associated with the basal ganglia in individuals with Meige syndrome is unknown.
Some cases of oromandibular dystonia occur in association with or secondary to another disorder such as tardive dyskinesia, Wilson disease, and Parkinson disease.
Meige syndrome affects women more often than men. Symptoms typically begin in middle-age between 40-70 years, although cases have been reported in individuals much younger. The disorder was first described in detail in the medical literature in 1910 by French neurologist Henry Meige.
No tests exist to diagnose Meige syndrome. A diagnosis is made based upon a thorough clinical evaluation, a detailed patient history and identification of characteristic symptoms.
Treatment
The treatment of Meige syndrome is directed toward the specific symptoms that are apparent in each individual. Treatment consists of drug therapy and botulinum A toxin (Botox) injections used separately or in combination.
Approximately one-third of affected individuals are treated with oral medications (drug therapy). Unfortunately, the results of these drug treatments are usually moderate or unsatisfactory and often temporary. No drugs appear to be uniformly effective. Drugs that have been used to treat Meige syndrome include clonazepam, trihexyphenidyl, diazepam, and baclofen.
The orphan drug botulinum A toxin (BOTOX) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for blepharospasm and has become the primary form of treatment. The technique of injecting small amounts of botulinum toxin into the orbicularis oculi paralyzes these muscles for several months, after which time the procedure must be repeated. Botulinum toxin injections have been helpful for many individuals with blepharospasm, but some people do not respond well. The drug is distributed by Allergan, Inc. For more information patients should ask their physician to contact: Allergan Inc., 2525 Dupont Drive, Irvine, CA 92713-9534.
BOTOX is also used to treat muscle spasms associated with oromandibular dysontia. Approximately 70 percent of individuals experience some reduction of spasm and improvement in chewing and swallowing following injection with BOTOX.
In some cases, individuals may experience relief of symptoms by engaging in specific movements sometimes referred to as "sensory tricks." Such movements include biting on a toothpick, chewing gums, talking, or lightly touching the lips or chin. Speech and swallowing therapy may lessen spasms, improve range of motion, and strengthened unaffected muscles.
According to the medical literature, some individuals with blepharospasm and/or oromandibular dystonia have improved without treatment (spontaneous remission).
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: [email protected]
For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com
According to the medical literature, the use of stereotactic brain surgery for cases of dystonia that do not respond to other treatment methods (refractory dystonia) is increasing. Deep brain stimulation has been used successfully as a treatment for Meige syndrome in individual cases. More research is necessary to determine the long-term safety and effectiveness of the treatment option for individuals with Meige syndrome.
TEXTBOOKS
DeLong MR. Oromandibular Dystonia and Meige Syndrome. NORD Guide to Rare Disorders. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Philadelphia, PA. 2003:615-6.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Castelbuono A, Miller NR. Spontaneous remission in patients with essential blepharospasm and Meige syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol. 1998;126:432-5.
Houser M, Waltz T. Meige syndrome and pallidal deep brain stimulation. Mov Disord. 2005;20:1203-5.
Maureillo JA Jr., Dhillon S, Leone T, et al., Treatment selections of 239 patients with blepharospasm and Meige syndrome over 11 years. Br J Ophthalmo. 1996;80:1073-6.
Paleacu D, Giladi N, Moore O, Stern A, Honigman S, Badarny S. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2004;27:230-3.
Tsubota K, Fujihara T, Minako K, et al., Dry eye and Meigeโs syndrome. Br J Ophthalmol. 1997;81:439-442.
Zesiewicz TA, Louis ED, Sullivan KL, et al., Substantial improvement in a Meigeโs syndrome patient with levetiracetam treatment. Mov Disord. 2004;19:1518-21.
FROM THE INTERNET
WE MOVE Web site. Segmental Dystonia. Last Updated: January 19, 2005. Available at: https://www.wemove.org/dys/dys_seg.html
Lam BL. Eyelid Myokymia. emedicine. Last Updated: August 4, 2005. 9pp. Available at: https://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic607.htm
Paulson GW. Meigeโs Syndrome. BEBRF Blepharospasm Pages. Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation. Last Updated: December 13, 1997. Available at: https://www.blepharospasm.org/index.html#A4
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The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD) has information and resources for patients, caregivers, and families that may be helpful before and after diagnosis of this condition. GARD is a program of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
View reportOrphanet has a summary about this condition that may include information on the diagnosis, care, and treatment as well as other resources. Some of the information and resources are available in languages other than English. The summary may include medical terms, so we encourage you to share and discuss this information with your doctor. Orphanet is the French National Institute for Health and Medical Research and the Health Programme of the European Union.
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