[Dystonia: therapeutic aspects]

Several approaches have been employed for the treatment of dystonias. Possible specific causes should be searched for and specific treatment should be instituted. Different types of symptomatic treatment are grouped according to the following categories: pharmacological systemic therapy, surgical therapy and botulinum toxin injections in the affected muscles. Each of these approaches has its advantages and limitations. Generalized dystonias should be treated with anticholinergic agents. In some cases, levodopa or other drugs such as dopamine antagonists, baclofen and benzodiazepines should be preferred. Focal dystonias respond dramatically to local injections of botulinum toxin. Over 90% of patients with blepharospasm and 70% of patients with cervical dystonia present a satisfactory response to this procedure. Surgical approaches have been utilized in some cases of generalized (stereotaxic lesions), axial (rhizotomies) and focal dystonias (myectomies and neurectomies) with variable results.