Spasmodic torticollis
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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| Spasmodic torticollis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | Cervical dystonia |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Neck pain, abnormal head posture, muscle spasms |
| Complications | Chronic pain, depression, anxiety |
| Onset | Typically adulthood |
| Duration | Chronic |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Idiopathic, genetic predisposition, trauma |
| Risks | Family history, head injury, medication side effects |
| Diagnosis | Clinical diagnosis, imaging studies |
| Differential diagnosis | Parkinson's disease, cervical spondylosis, muscle strain |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Botulinum toxin, physical therapy, medications |
| Medication | Anticholinergics, muscle relaxants |
| Prognosis | Variable, often chronic |
| Frequency | 1 in 10,000 people |
| Deaths | N/A |
Spasmodic torticollis, also known as cervical dystonia, is a rare neurological disorder that originates in the brain. It is the most common form of focal dystonia in an office setting.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
Spasmodic torticollis is characterized by involuntary muscle contractions in the neck that cause abnormal movements and postures of the neck and head. The movements can be sustained (tonic), jerky (clonic), or a combination.
Causes[edit | edit source]
The exact cause of spasmodic torticollis is unknown. However, it is believed to be caused by incorrect messages from the brain to the muscles. It can be associated with other physical and psychological symptoms.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis is based on clinical evaluation. This includes a detailed medical history and a physical and neurological examination. Other tests such as blood tests, MRI of the brain, and electromyography (EMG) may also be used.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment options for spasmodic torticollis include oral medications, botulinum toxin injections, physical therapy, and surgical procedures. Each patient's treatment plan is individualized based on their specific symptoms and needs.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
The prognosis for individuals with spasmodic torticollis varies. While the disorder itself is not life-threatening, severe cases can cause significant disability and complications can occur from treatment.
Research[edit | edit source]
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct research related to spasmodic torticollis in laboratories at the NIH and also support additional research through grants to major medical institutions across the country.
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
