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torticollis; loxia; collum distortum; wryneck; cervical dystonia; spasmodic retrocollis
Clinical manifestations:
- muscle contraction, often spasmodic affecting muscles of the neck, chiefly those innervated by the spinal accessory nerve
- the head is drawn to one side & usually rotated so that the chin points to the other side
- movements may be tonic, clonic or a combination of the two
- neck pain may be substantial
Management:
- non-drug therapies
- physical therapy, aquatic therapy
- speech therapy
- occupational therapy
- pharmaceuticals
- Botox injections
- oral agents
- anticholinergic agents
- benzodiazepines
- baclofen
- Sinemet, bromocryptine
- tetrabenzine
- surgery (Bertrand procedure) peripheral nerve denervation
General
dystonia
References
- Stedman's Medical Dictionary 24th ed, Williams &
Wilkins, Baltimore, 1982
- Quick Facts about Cervical Dystonia (Spasmodic Torticollis)
Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/cervical_dystonia/45.php