Meige syndrome (blepharospasm-oromandibular dystonia) after long-term neuroleptic therapy

Two patients developed either blepharospasm or blepharospasm-oromandibular dystonia following chronic therapy with chlorpromazine, haloperidol, or thioridazine. In one patient, appearance of the movement disorder was associated with neuroleptic withdrawal, and in the other patient, the movement disorder began while neuroleptic therapy continued. Because of the age of one patient and the severe intermittent psychosis in the other, these Meige-like symptoms were attributed to chronic neuroleptic use rather than to spontaneously occurring Meige syndrome. The symptoms occurring as part of a tardive dyskinesia suggest that dopaminergic mechanisms play a role in idiopathic Meige syndrome.