Cervical dystonia, also called spasmodic torticollis, is a neurological disease in which, due to the pathological tension of the neck muscles, involuntary rotation of the head occurs. In most cases, twisting and turning of the head in one direction is observed, less often the head tilts back or forward. The uncontrolled spasms of the neck muscles are sometimes accompanied by painful painful sensations.
Causes of cervical dystonia
Cervical dystonia can be hereditary (idiopathic), and also develop due to other pathologies (for example, Wilson 's disease, Gallervorden-Spatz disease, etc.). There are also cases of the emergence of pathology due to an overdose of antipsychotics. However, the exact cause of spasmodic torticollis is often not established.
Course of the disease
As a rule, the disease develops gradually, slowly progressing. At the first stages, sudden involuntary head turns occur when walking, are associated with emotional stress or physical exertion. In this case, patients can independently return the normal position of the head. During sleep, abnormal muscle spasms are not observed.
In the future, the removal of the head to the middle position becomes possible only with the help of hands. Muscle spasm can be eliminated or reduced by touching certain areas of the face. The subsequent progression of the disease leads to the fact that the patient can not independently turn the head, the affected muscles are hypertrophied, vertebral radicular compression syndromes are observed.
Treatment of cervical dystonia
In the treatment of the disease, pharmacotherapy is used with the appointment:
- antiepileptic drugs;
- muscle relaxants;
- anticholinesterase agents.
More effective results show the use of injections of botulinum toxin in the affected muscles, which allows for a while to get rid of the symptoms. In some cases, surgical interventions (selective denervation of muscles, stereotactic surgery) can be performed.