Benign fasciculation syndrome

Benign fasciculation syndrome (BFS) is characterized by fasciculation (twitching) of voluntary muscles in the body.[1] The twitching can occur in any voluntary muscle group but is most common in the eyelids, arms, hands, fingers, legs, and feet. The tongue can also be affected. The twitching may be occasional to continuous.[2] BFS must be distinguished from other conditions that include muscle twitches.

Benign fasciculation syndrome
Other namesFasciculation Not Otherwise Specified
Animated image of BFS in the upper eyelid of a 19-year-old male
SpecialtyNeurology, psychiatry

Signs and symptoms

The main symptom of benign fasciculation syndrome is focal or widespread involuntary muscle activity (fasciculation).[1] The benign twitches usually have a constant location.[2]

Other common symptoms are generalized fatigue or weakness, paraesthesia or numbness, and muscle cramping or spasms.[1] Anxiety and somatic symptom disorders and symptoms are commonly reported.[1] Muscle stiffness may also be present; if muscle weakness is not also present, and cramps are more severe, the stiffness may be categorized instead as cramp fasciculation syndrome.[3] Cramp fasciculation is a variant of BFS which presents with muscle pain and exercise intolerance.[2][4]

BFS symptoms are typically not accompanied by severe muscle weakness, and are typically present when the muscle is at rest. Individuals with may have perceived weakness which is the sensation of a fatigued limb, but is not true clinical weakness. Fasciculations can move from one part of the body to another.

Classification

Benign fasciculation syndrome and the variant cramp fasciculation syndrome "can be regarded as part of a larger spectrum of disease that also incorporates acquired auto-immune neuromyotonia.[4]

Causes

The precise cause of BFS is unknown.[5] It is not known if it is a disease of the motor nerves, the muscles, or the neuromuscular junction.

Health anxiety disorder may be a cause among individuals who become concerned they have a motor neuron disease; this persistent concern is a psychiatric condition mostly noted among healthcare professionals and doctors.[1] An association with anxiety level is established;[1][6] BFS is reportedly found among "anxious medical students" and clinicians under the age of 40,[3] and this phenomenon known as "fasciculation anxiety syndrome" is reinforced by access to information on the internet.[4]

Fasciculations can be caused[4] or worsened by intense and long periods of daily exercise.[2]

BFS can also be caused by long-term use of anticholinergics,[4] and fasciculations may be caused by other drug use or exposure to steroids, nicotine, caffeine, alcohol, insecticides and pesticides.[2] Thyroid disease may also cause similar symptoms.[3]

Diagnosis

Benign fasciculation syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion; that is, other potential causes for the twitching must be ruled out before BFS can be diagnosed. Diagnosis includes blood tests, a neurological exam, and electromyography (EMG).[2]

Another step in diagnosing BFS is checking for clinical weakness or wasting, which are found in more serious conditions.[4][2] Lack of clinical weakness along with normal EMG results (in those with only fasciculations) largely eliminates more serious disorders from potential diagnosis.[2][3] In younger people with only lower motor neuron (LMN) fasciculations, no muscle weakness, and no thyroid abnormalities, Turner and Talbot (2013) state that "individuals under 40 years can be reassured without resorting to electromyography (EMG) to avoid the small but highly damaging possibility of false-positives".[3]

According to Kincaid (1997), the diagnosis is made when there is no clinical finding of neurogenic disease; he first reassures patients that no "ominous disease seems to be present", and says, "I suggest that patients like this be followed for a year or longer with clinical and electromyographic exams at about 6-month intervals before one becomes secure in the diagnosis that the fasciculations are truly benign.[7] Other publications recommend followups for four or five years before ruling the condition benign, although the percentage of individuals who progress to a more serious condition is very low.[2]

Differential

Other serious diseases that must be distinguished include motor neuron diseases (MND) such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),[3] neuropathy,[4] and spinal cord diseases.[4]

According to Turner and Talbot (2013), "the fasciculations of MND are often abrupt and widespread at onset in an individual previously unaffected by fasciculations in youth. The site of the fasciculations, for example, those in the calves versus abdomen, has not been shown to be discriminatory for a benign disorder. There is conflicting evidence as to whether the character of fasciculations differs neurophysiologically in MND."[3] It is "exceptionally rare for patients later diagnosed with ALS to present with fasciculations alone", and ALS is ruled out with a normal EMG and no evidence of muscle wasting.[2]

Treatment

There is support for treating any accompanying anxiety using cognitive behavioral therapy or antidepressants.[1] Quinine is effective, but not recommended because of the potential for serious side effects.[2] Calcium channel blockers may be effective, although the evidence for their use is weak.[2] There is little evidence supporting other therapies.[2]

Prognosis

The prognosis for those with BFS is good to excellent.[5]

The syndrome causes no known long-term physical damage. Some individuals remain anxious even after being diagnosed with the benign condition and are often directed towards professionals who can assist with understanding stress and anxiety, or those who can prescribe medication to help manage anxiety.

Spontaneous remission has been known to occur, and in cases where anxiety is thought to be a major contributor, symptoms are typically lessened after the underlying anxiety is treated.

Research

There may be an association between widespread fasciculations or paresthesias with small fiber neuropathy.[8][9]

gollark: Even *if* I didn't participate directly, that didn't mean I couldn't influence people's entries.
gollark: An interesting assumption, and also irrelevant.
gollark: You don't think people can bluff?
gollark: You don't think *I* was?
gollark: I predicted this perfectly.

References
  1. Blackman G, Cherfi Y, Morrin H, et al. (2019). "The association between benign fasciculations and health anxiety: a report of two cases and a systematic review of the literature" (PDF). Psychosomatics. 60 (5): 499–507. doi:10.1016/j.psym.2019.04.001. PMID 31174866.
  2. Walter TR (March 2015). "Benign fasciculation syndrome". J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother. 29 (1): 54–5. doi:10.3109/15360288.2014.997856. PMID 25700216.
  3. Turner MR, Talbot K (June 2013). "Mimics and chameleons in motor neurone disease". Pract Neurol (Review). 13 (3): 153–64. doi:10.1136/practneurol-2013-000557. PMC 3664389. PMID 23616620.
  4. de Carvalho M, Kiernan MC, Swash M (September 2017). "Fasciculation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: origin and pathophysiological relevance". J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry (Review). 88 (9): 773–779. doi:10.1136/jnnp-2017-315574. PMID 28490504.
  5. Brigo F, Storti M, Lochner P, Nardone R (June 2013). "Transitory stapedial myoclonus in a patient with benign fasciculation syndrome". J Laryngol Otol (Review). 127 (6): 605–6. doi:10.1017/S0022215113000297. PMID 23480624.
  6. Mitsikostas DD, Karandreas N, Coutsopetras P, et al. (April 1998). "Fasciculation potentials in healthy people". Muscle Nerve (Comparative study). 21 (4): 533–5. doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199804)21:4<533::aid-mus14>3.0.co;2-y. PMID 9533790.
  7. Kincaid JC (August 1997). "Muscle pain, fatigue, and fasiculations". Neurol Clin (Review). 15 (3): 697–709. doi:10.1016/s0733-8619(05)70340-6. PMID 9227959.
  8. Tzatha E, Langsdorf J, Carey B, Chin RL (March 18, 2013). "Benign fasciculation syndrome as a manifestation of small fiber neuropathy (P01.139)". Neurology.
  9. Tzatha E, Chin RL (September 2014). "Small fiber abnormalities in skin biopsies of patients with benign fasciculations". J Clin Neuromuscul Dis. 16 (1): 12–14. doi:10.1097/CND.0000000000000047. PMID 25137510.
Classification
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