Spasmodic torticollis

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

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

Coronal sections of the basal ganglia

Presynaptic CNTs targets

Surgical treatment for Parkinson's disease

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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