Atypical posttraumatic dystonia treated successfully by botulinum toxin injection

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Movement Disorders

Background:

• Post-traumatic dystonia is an uncommon condition.
• Involuntary movements can manifest after traumatic events.

Observation:

• A 39-year-old woman presented with atypical, involuntary dystonic movements of the shoulder and back.
• These movements began abruptly three weeks prior to her clinic visit, ten months after a motor vehicle collision.
• The movements were characterized by continuous, bizarre, rhythmic/semirhythmic patterns with mixed symmetric and asymmetric features.

Findings:

• The patient was successfully treated with electromyography-guided botulinum toxin type A injections.
• This case highlights a potential treatment for atypical posttraumatic dystonia.

Implications:

• Botulinum toxin type A injections offer an effective management strategy for atypical posttraumatic dystonia.
• Understanding and diagnosing posttraumatic dystonia is crucial for appropriate patient care.