Affiliations: Neurologische Klinik, Universität Freiburg, Germany | Abteilung für Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik, Universität Freiburg, Germany | Neurologische Klinik, Rudolf-Virchow-Krankenhaus, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, Germany | Neurologische Klinik, Universität Düsseldorf, Germany | Neurologische Klinik, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany | Neurologische Klinik, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Germany
Note: [] Correspondence to: F. Heinen, Abtlg. Neuropädiatrie und Muskelerkrankungen, Universitätskinderklinik, Mathildenstr. 1, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
Abstract: This paper deals with signs, symptoms and course in spasmodic torticollis (ST). Two hundred and fifty-six patients were included in the study, 59.3% women, 40.7% men. The mean age was 49.1 years. Rotating torticollis out-numbered latero- and antero-retrocollis. A family history of ST occurred in 3.1% of the total sample. First degree relatives were affected in 2.3%. Thirty-four per cent of the patients had additional dystonic symptoms. Most frequently these affected the upper extremities (13%), and less often the legs. Of the patients 19.1% had experienced a period of complete remission. The correlations between the severity of the signs and the neurological symptoms are surprisingly weak.
Keywords: Spasmodic torticollis, Family history, Signs, Symptoms, Course
