title: Dandy-Walker syndrome presenting as opisthotonus: proposed pathophysiology.
abstract: A patient with radiographically confirmed Dandy-Walker syndrome who presented with opisthotonus, a rarely reported clinical manifestation, is reported. From four separate pharmacologic trials (baclofen, diazepam, levodopa/carbidopa, and trihexyphenidyl), combination baclofen and diazepam therapy was determined to be most efficacious. Opisthotonus and extensor posturing remain only rudimentarily understood. We review the subject and propose a specific mechanism relating our patient's anatomic and physiologic conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Ondo
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Delong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003616:Dandy-Walker Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013035:Spasm / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology