brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Cervical Dystonia
Introduction
Cervical dystonia is characterized by long-lasting (chronic sustained) involuntary contractions or periodic, intermittent spasms of the neck muscles, causing the neck to turn in different ways. The cause of cervical dystonia is usually unknown. Doctors base the diagnosis on symptoms and results of the physical examination. Injections with botulinum toxin are used first, but if they are ineffective, drugs, taken by mouth, can be used. Physical therapy may help relieve some symptoms. (See also Overview of Movement Disorders .) Dystonia can also occur in muscles other than those in the neck. In cervical dystonia, contraction of the neck muscles causes the neck to turn from its usual position. Cervical dystonia is the most common Dystonia . The neck may move in one or more of the following ways: Rotate (called torticollis) Tilt (called laterocollis) Bend forward (called anterocollis) Bend backward (called retrocollis) One form (called adult-onset cervical dystonia) begins in adulthood. Because it causes the neck to rotate, it is sometimes called spasmodic torticollis (in Latin, "torti" refers to twisted and "collis" refers to neck). It is the most common dystonia that affects only one part of the body. Usually, the cause is unknown, but in some people, spasmodic torticollis is caused by a genetic mutation. Stress and emotional problems may make spasmodic torticollis worse. Cervical dystonia can Be present at birth Occur later, caused by various neurologic disorders Result from the use of drugs that blockdopamine(such ashaloperidoland other antipsychotic drugs) Rarely, an emotional problem is thought to contribute. 