Torticollis
Background
- Common term for various conditions of head and neck dystonia
- spasmodic torticollis is an abnormal contraction of the muscle in one side of the neck.
- Idiopathic (80-90%)
Clinical Features
- Painful neck with inability to fully range laterally
Differential Diagnosis
Neck pain
- Musculoskeletal
- Torticollis
- Dystonic reaction
- Cervical spondylosis
- Cervical stenosis
- Cancer
- Epidural abscess
- Vertebral osteomyelitis
- Transverse myelitis
- Temporal arteritis
- Epidural hematoma (anticoagulation, hemophilia)
- Cervical disk herniation
- Blunt neck trauma
- Anterior horn disease
- Cervical fractures and dislocations
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Anterior horn disease
- C1 and C2 fractures
- Radiculopathy
Diagnosis
- Clinical Diagnosis
- Consider cervical X-ray to rule out fracture or dislocation (unlikely to be necessary if no midline tenderness or history of trauma)
Treatment
- Benztropine
- Muscle relaxants
- Botulinum toxin
- Physical Therapy
Disposition
- Normally outpatient
See Also
Source
- UptoDate
- Medscape
- www.emedicinehealth.com