[Peripheral mechanisms of the pathogenesis of cervical dystonia]

Peripheral mechanisms of pathogenesis and formation of the symptoms of cervical dystonia (spastic torticollis--ST) were investigated. By means of orthopedic diagnosis and analysis of motor stereotype, traumas, algesic syndrome in 40 patients with ST, it was found a "short leg" on the side, opposite to the rotation of the head, frequent postural loads on the head and on the neck before ST rise, and algesic and other sensory symptoms in the same region. The data of neuromyography and of evoked skin sympathetic potentials show a presence of pathologic changes in sympathetic autonomic fibers as well as in axons of accessory nerve at both sides, mainly at the left. Such alterations were mainly peripheral and were found more frequently in a group of left-sided ST. The correlations observed between a side of the rotation of a head and a side of peripheral factor, permitted to suppose that peripheral factors (the factor of a "short leg" mainly) determined frequently a side of the rotation of the head. So, ST therapy must influence the peripheral mechanisms, but not only the central ones.