Progressive cervical kyphosis associated with botulinum toxin injection

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Orthopedics
• Physical Medicine

Background:

• Dropped head syndrome, characterized by progressive cervical kyphosis, results from neck extensor muscle weakness.
• Etiologies include structural spinal abnormalities (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis, vertebral fractures) and neuromuscular disorders (e.g., myasthenia gravis, ALS).

Observation:

• This article presents a case of an elderly woman who developed rapidly progressive cervical kyphosis.
• The onset of symptoms followed an injection of botulinum toxin A into her neck extensor muscles.

Findings:

• The case highlights a potential iatrogenic cause of dropped head syndrome.
• Botulinum toxin A-induced neck extensor weakness can precipitate severe cervical kyphosis.

Implications:

• Clinicians should consider iatrogenic causes, such as botulinum toxin injections, when evaluating patients with dropped head syndrome.
• This case underscores the importance of careful patient selection and monitoring following botulinum toxin A therapy for neck conditions.