Opisthotonus

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Opisthotonus
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Severe muscle spasms, hyperextension of the back
Complications	Respiratory failure, aspiration pneumonia
Onset	Sudden
Duration	Variable
Types	N/A
Causes	Tetanus, meningitis, severe head injury, cerebral palsy
Risks	Infection, trauma
Diagnosis	Clinical evaluation, neurological examination
Differential diagnosis	Seizure disorder, dystonia, decerebrate posture
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Muscle relaxants, sedation, antibiotics for infection
Medication	Diazepam, baclofen, dantrolene
Prognosis	Depends on underlying cause
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Opisthotonus or opisthotonos (from Ancient Greek: ὄπισθεν opisthen, meaning 'behind', and τόνος tonos, meaning 'tension') is a neurological condition characterized by extreme hyperextension and spasticity. In this state, an individual's head, neck, and spinal column enter into a pronounced arching or bridging position.

Causes

Opisthotonus can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:

• Meningitis
• Severe brain or spinal cord injuries
• Tetanus
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• Certain metabolic disorders

Symptoms

The primary symptom of opisthotonus is the extreme backward arching of the head, neck, and spine. Other symptoms may include:

• Muscle stiffness and spasms
• Difficulty breathing
• Pain

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of opisthotonus involves:

• Neurological examination
• Medical history review
• Diagnostic imaging like MRI or CT scans
• Lumbar puncture, if meningitis is suspected

Treatment

Treatment focuses on managing the underlying cause and may include:

• Medications to relieve muscle stiffness and spasms
• Supportive care for breathing and feeding difficulties
• Physical therapy

External Links

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Opisthotonos
• NIH: Rare Diseases - Opisthotonos

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