Question

Could facial paralysis transform into facial tics?

Answer

Facial paralysis may lead to facial tics due to the demyelinating changes it causes, affecting the conduction of the facial nerve, thereby causing involuntary twitching of the facial muscles. This condition is known as facial myoclonus and is typically categorized into two types: grade 2 and grade 3, with grade 2 being caused by other diseases such as facial paralysis. Common causes include incomplete recovery of the nerve after facial paralysis, leading to regional demyelination, making the conduction of the facial nerve more susceptible to interference, or facial paralysis affecting the brainstem, forming an inflammatory condition similar to epilepsy, thus causing periodic twitching of the facial muscles.