Dystonia

Overview

• Dystonia is a movements disorder characterized by abnormal postures or twisting or repetitive movement caused by sustained contractions of opposing muscles

Causes

Focal

• Spastic torticollis
• Blepharospasm
• Oculogyric crisis

Segmental

• hemiballismus

Generalised

• Chorea – e.g. Sydenham’s, Huntingtons, drugs (esp L dopa excess and neuroleptics), Wilson’s, post encephalitis
• Tardive dyskinesia

References and Links

Journal Articles and Textbooks

• Talley NJ, O’Connor S. Clinical Examination: A Systematic Guide to Physical Diagnosis. MacLennan and Petty. 3rd edition, 1998.