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[Symptomatic paroxysmal dystonia (non-kinesigenic forms): two new cases]
J M Uterga1, M F Portillo, I Iriondo
1Sección de Neurología, Hospital de Basurto (Osakidetza), Bilbao.
Neurologia (Barcelona, Spain)
|June 11, 1999
Summary
Two new cases of symptomatic paroxysmal non-kinesigenic dystonia (PND) were identified. These cases highlight potential links between PND and neurological events like cerebral infarction and Arnold-Chiari malformation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Paroxysmal non-kinesigenic dystonia (PND) is a rare movement disorder characterized by involuntary, sustained muscle contractions.
- The etiology of PND is often unknown, but secondary causes have been reported.
Observation:
- A 68-year-old woman experienced daily, brief dystonic spasms in her right arm, months after a cerebral infarction.
- A 30-year-old woman presented with monthly, prolonged dystonic postures in her left arm, associated with Arnold-Chiari malformation and syringomyelia.
Findings:
- These cases suggest that neurological insults, such as cerebral infarction and structural abnormalities like Arnold-Chiari malformation, can precipitate symptomatic PND.
- The varied presentation and duration of spasms in the reported cases underscore the heterogeneity of PND.
Implications:
- Identifying secondary causes of PND is crucial for appropriate diagnosis and management.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathophysiology linking specific neurological conditions to the development of PND.