This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Spasmodic torticollis

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Spasmodic torticollis (cervical dystonia) is a type of dystonia where there is spasmodic turning of the head and neck to one side. The muscles involved - trapezius and sternomastoid - may become hypertrophied. There may be dystonia elsewhere.

Prevalence of spasmodic torticollis is 0.006% (5.7 per 100,000) (1)





In the acute presentation there may be sudden pain and an inability to move the head. Commonly the condition occurs in the 15-30 age group. Passive and active movements are restricted. The head is typically held in a position flexed away from the pain.

  • spasmodic torticollis is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by involuntary contractions of the cervical musculature that lead to abnormal movements and postures of the head (2)
    • additional symptoms can include jerking movements, transient spasms, shoulder elevation, stiffness/tightness, and tremor
    • at least two-thirds of patients report pain that significantly contributes to the disability associated with their disorder
    • pain is most frequently localized to the back of the neck and shoulders
      • may also involve the head, upper chest, upper arms, and other areas

Spasmodic torticollis (cervical dystonia) is rarely self-limiting. Treatment options include botulinum toxin injections into the affected muscles.

Notes:

  • for information relating to acute wry neck (torticollis) see linked item

Reference:

  • (1) Epidemiological Study of Dystonia in Europe (ESDE) Collaborative Group. A prevalence study of primary dystonia in eight European countries. J Neurol 2000;247(10):787-92.
  • (2) Jankovic J et al. Cervical dystonia: clinical findings and associated movement disorders. Neurology 1991;41 (7): 1088-1091.

Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.