Description Produces distortion...
Description
Produces distortion of the neck secondary to spasm of the neck muscles. Also called cervical dystonia. The head is involuntarily turned to one side during an attack. The disorder can occur from birth to adulthood but is most common in young and middle-aged women. Some cases resolve on their own but others need specific therapy. The cause can be inherited (spasmodic torticollis), acquired after an injury, or unknown (idiopathic torticollis).
Symptoms
Limited range of motion, headache, head tremor, neck pain, one shoulder that is higher than the other, stiffness of neck muscles.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to rule out other causes of the syndrome may be done.
Tests:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Neurology, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT)
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests to rule out other causes of the syndrome may be done.
Tests:
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Specialists:
Internal Medicine, Neurology, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT)
Treatment
Therapy depends on the severity of the disease and may include: physical therapy, behavior modification, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications/NSAIDs (ibuprofen/Motrin or Advil, naproxen/Naprosyn or Aleve), pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), narcotic medications, anxiolytics (diazepam/Valium, lorazepam/Ativan), anti-Parkinson medications, anti-seizure medications, anti-botulism toxin (Botox) injections, and rarely surgery.