What is spasmodic torticollis?
Sep 13, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lin Yunfei
Introduction
Spasmodic torticollis is an organic disorder of the extrapyramidal system, characterized by involuntary contractions of neck muscles leading to abnormal twisting or spasmodic tilting of the neck. It most commonly occurs between the ages of 30 and 40, with little difference between genders. Although it primarily affects adults, there are also a few pediatric cases, often triggered by factors such as stress, fatigue, or anger.
Many young people experience significant life stress and poor sleep quality at night, making them prone to neck strain, which can affect their normal work. What is spasmodic torticollis?
What Is Spasmodic Torticollis?
Spasmodic torticollis is an organic disorder of the extrapyramidal system characterized by involuntary contractions of neck muscles, leading to abnormal twisting or jerking movements of the head. It most commonly develops between the ages of 30 and 40, with little difference in incidence between men and women. While it primarily affects adults, there are also rare cases in children, often triggered by factors such as tension, fatigue, or anger.
Treatment options for spasmodic torticollis include medication, local injections of botulinum toxin type A, and surgical intervention. Medications may include anticholinergics, sedatives such as trihexyphenidyl, diazepam, nitrazepam, or clonazepam, or other agents like haloperidol, phenothiazines, tetrabenazine, baclofen, and carbamazepine, which may also be effective. Among these, local injection of botulinum toxin type A tends to produce better results. For spasmodic torticollis, multiple injection sites are typically used in pairs of muscles such as the sternocleidomastoid, splenius cervicis, and trapezius—four out of three targeted muscle groups. The dosage should be individualized, with effects lasting 3–6 months, and repeated injections remain effective.
Patients with spasmodic torticollis should avoid raw, cold, greasy, irritating, and hard-to-digest foods, as well as tobacco, alcohol, strong tea, mung beans, and similar items. We hope this information is helpful to you. Wishing you good health and a happy life.
