title: Swallowing, speech, and brainstem auditory-evoked potentials in spasmodic torticollis.
abstract: To explore the controversial "brainstem theory" of spasmodic torticollis, eight consecutively referred patients were examined. Three independent examinations were conducted on the same day: a videofluoroscopic barium swallowing examination, an instrumental speech examination, and a brainstem auditory-evoked potential (BAEP) analysis. Swallowing was normal in two patients; speech physiology, in five; and BAEPs, in all. Normal BAEPs refute the brainstem theory, while abnormalities of speech and swallowing temper this conclusion. Several alternative explanations are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horner
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Riski
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Nashold
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002933:Cineradiography; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007830:Larynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000503:physiopathology; D010614:Pharynx / Q000503:physiopathology; D010699:Phonation / Q000502:physiology; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology; D013035:Spasm / Q000503:physiopathology; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology*; D014103:Torticollis / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology