Task-specific facial dystonia following COVID-19 infection: A case report

During the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, various movement disorders associated with COVID-19 infection have been reported. However, the incidence of dystonia specifically associated with COVID-19 infection has been particularly rare.

A 43-year-old male patient presented to the movement disorders clinic with complaints of facial grimacing while chewing and experiencing spasms during nasal breathing. These symptoms appeared 2 weeks after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Based on normal diagnostic test results, including brain imaging and blood tests, it was concluded that task-specific facial dystonia following COVID-19 infection.

Despite treatment with clonazepam, trihexyphenidyl, and carbamazepine, his condition did not improve. Subsequently, botulinum toxin injections were administered to the affected facial muscles identified through video analysis.

Botulinum toxin injections led to a significant improvement in the patient's symptoms.

Task-specific dystonia affecting the facial muscles, particularly induced by specific actions such as chewing and nasal breathing, is rare and may represent an atypical post-infectious manifestation of COVID-19.