Cervical Kyphotic Deformity Worsening After Extensor Cervical Muscle Paralysis from Botulinum Toxin Injection

Botulinum toxin (Botox) has long been used therapeutically to treat a variety of diseases, including migraine headaches, cervical spine dystonia, and chronic cervical spine pain, among many others. Although quite useful, Botox has been reported to cause adverse events, some of which may lead to devastating morbidity.

An elderly woman presented with severe neck pain after a motor vehicle collision. She underwent Botox administration to the neck extensor muscles, after which she developed severe cervical kyphotic deformity, a complication previously reported only in patients with a history of cervical fusion. In addition, the patient had a pre-existing cervical spine degenerative disc disease with listhesis resulting in cervical kyphotic deformity and loss of cervical lordosis.

This case illustrates a potential danger of using Botox in the neck of an elderly patient who may have pre-existing cervical spine instability, underlying cervical musculature weakness, and pre-existing cervical kyphosis. It demonstrates the need to evaluate patients who are predisposed to developing cervical kyphotic deformities before offering them Botox treatment.