Treatment of spasmodic torticollis by dorsal column stimulation.
A new method is described to treat spasmodic torticollis with the implantation of a dorsal column stimulator at the C1--2 level or with transcutaneous stimulation. 22 patients were evaluated. 3 had sufficient relief to be treated with transcutaneous stimulation only. An additional 6 patients had surgically implanted dorsal column stimulators. It was empirically determined that a frequency of 800--1,100 Hz gave the best relief from torticollis. 1 patient had an excellent result; 3 have had good results; 1 had a fair result, and 1 had a poor result. An additional patient with dystonia musculorum deformans was considerably improved by the use of dorsal column stimulation.
D000328:Adult; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013035:Spasm / Q000150:complications*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000502:physiology*; D014103:Torticollis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*