Highlights & Basics
- Cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis) is a rare, typically idiopathic, brain disorder causing involuntary neck movements.
- Often associated with pain.
- Patients may be able to relieve their symptoms by touching their neck, head, or face in a certain way (sensory trick or alleviating maneuver).
- Targeted intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin is the therapy with the best proven efficacy. Oral drugs and physical therapy may also have a role in the treatment of the condition.
- Treatment options for refractory cervical dystonia include deep brain stimulation, radiofrequency ablation, selective surgical denervation, and intrathecal baclofen.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
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Definition
Epidemiology
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Citations
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Albanese A, Asmus F, Bhatia KP, et al. EFNS guidelines on diagnosis and treatment of primary dystonias. Eur J Neurol. 2011 Jan;18(1):5-18.[Abstract][Full Text]
Rodrigues FB, Duarte GS, Marques RE, et al. Botulinum toxin type A therapy for cervical dystonia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Nov 12;11:CD003633.[Abstract][Full Text]
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