Brain stem dysfunction in spasmodic torticollis : an electrophysiological study

Continuous or intermittent deviation of head seen in spasmodic torticollis (ST) may result in abnormalities of blink reflex or brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP). The present study was undertaken on 10 patients of ST and an equal number ofage and sex matched healthy controls. BAEP showed no difference in the two groups. R1 and contralateral R2 of blink reflex were similar in the patients and the controls. R2 contralateral to torticollis was also similar to controls but R2 ipsilateral to torticollis was prolonged in ST patients (32.28??1.91 msec) as compared to controls (30.96??1.53 msec) (p<0.05). Our findings suggest brainstem dysfunction in some patients with spasmodic torticollis.