[Botulinum toxin A in therapy of craniocervical dystonias and hemifacial spasm]

34 patients with focal dystonias (13 with essential blepharospasm, 3 with Meige's syndrome, 2 with hemifacial spasm, 16 with spasmodic torticollis) were treated with botulinum type A toxin. 4 ng of botulinum type A toxin per eye were applied in the M. orbicularis oculi as first injection in the 18 patients without spasmodic torticollis. The 16 patients with idiopathic spasmodic torticollis received 10 ng botulinum toxin A in the contralateral M. sternocleidomastoideus as well as in the ipsilateral M. splenius capitis as first injection. The effect was monitored for a time period of at least 6 weeks by two subjective rating scores, a visual functional score and a global clinical impression score. Patients with blepharospasm showed a distinct improvement already after 4 days which lasted for 6 weeks. 75% of the patients with spasmodic torticollis experienced a moderate to distinct improvement after 4 days which remained stable for 6 weeks. A second injection was performed in 15 (7 blepharospasm, 8 spasmodic torticollis) patients 9-11 weeks later with a similar success. All observed side effects (weakness; stiffness of local muscles; feeling of dryness of eyes, unilateral ptosis) were mild and of transient nature. We suggest therefore botulinum type A toxin as treatment of first choice in focal dystonias.