Cervical Dystonia (Torticollis)

During the initial consultation, the patient is introduced to the five basic treatment options, acknowledging that in most cases, the choice is in the patient's control. The options are 1) supportive/social treatment, 2) physical therapies, 3) oral and intrathecal pharmacotherapy, 4) injection (botulinum toxin type A ) therapy, and 5) surgical therapy. Although a patient may be an obvious candidate for a specific intervention, the patient needs to be aware of the options, including those that he or she chooses not to use. Combination therapies are often appropriate. The option of supportive therapy is applicable in nearly all situations. All patients are encouraged to join a dystonia advocacy association. To accomplish this, literature is made available to them, and the telephone number of the local dystonia chapter is provided. For most patients with focal dystonia or symptoms limited to one region, such as those with cervical dystonia, local injections of botulinum toxin type A are core treatment. For those who cannot be treated effectively with BTX-A, or for those in whom BTX-A has failed, pharmacotherapy is instituted. Pharmacotherapy can often "take the edge off" symptoms that remain after BTX-A therapy. Physical therapies are recommended as complementary treatment for most patients receiving BTX-A in an attempt to extend the benefit from BTX-A. BTX-A may substantially change motor patterns, requiring physical therapies to help the patient relearn normal postures and functional control. In refractory cases when all other measures have failed, peripheral or brain surgery is considered. With our advancing understanding of the genetics of dystonia, it is hoped that specific therapy to either halt the progression of or bring additional relief to dystonic spasms will be available shortly.