[Contribution to facial spasm (author's transl)]

Clinical, electromyographic, neurographic, and nystagmographic results of 20 cases of facial spasm are reported. The syndrome is discussed with reference to parabiosis of the facial nerve and the "ephapse" theory, the localization of facial nerve lesions, and possible etiologic factors of parabiotic changes. For the pathogenesis chronic and subclinical preimpairments of facial nerve axons are postulated as causing, after subsequent additional affections, an "ephaptic" transfer to neighboring fibers. Therapeutic possibilities are discussed.