Dystonias - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by sustained involuntary muscle contractions and abnormal postures of the trunk, neck, face, or extremities.
The involuntary movements are associated with simultaneous contraction of agonist and antagonist muscles, with unwanted "overflow" contraction of adjacent muscles.
In some cases, pain in the affected muscles can be a prominent feature.
Dystonia may improve with simple "sensory tricks" such as lightly touching the affected body part (geste antagoniste).
Can be generalized or focal, idiopathic (with no other neurologic abnormalities), inherited, or acquired.

From the personal teaching collections of David K. Simon, MD, Daniel Tarsy, MD, and Ludy C. Shih, MD; used with permissions

Quick Reference

History & Exam
- Key Factors
- Other Factors
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Diagnostics Tests
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Treatment Options
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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Images

Consensus classification of dystonia
Rotational torticollis
The torticollis improves with a sensory trick: gently touching his chin
Genetics and dystonia
Genetics and dystonia
Genetics and dystonia
Genetics and dystonia
Genetics and dystonia
Blepharospasm
Cervical dystonia: anterolateralcollis
Cervical dystonia: retrocollis
Writer's cramp: a focal task
Writer's cramp: a focal task
Foot dystonia with involuntary plantar flexion and foot inversion

Citations

Key Articles

Lohmann K, Klein C. Update on the genetics of dystonia. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2017 Mar;17(3):26.[Abstract]
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]
Simpson DM, Hallett M, Ashman EJ, et al. Practice guideline update summary: botulinum neurotoxin for the treatment of blepharospasm, cervical dystonia, adult spasticity, and headache. Report of the Guideline Development Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2016 Apr 18;86(19):1818-26.[Abstract][Full Text]

Other Online Resources

Dystonia Medical Research Foundation
NINDS Dystonias Information Page
National Spasmodic Torticollis Association (NSTA)
Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation (BSDPF)
Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation (BEBRF)
The Dystonia Society (UK)

Referenced Articles

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