title: Long-term remission of idiopathic cervical dystonia after treatment with botulinum toxin.
abstract: Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) treatment for cervical dystonia is traditionally considered a purely symptomatic treatment. BTX-A blocks acetyl choline exocytosis for 3-6 months and most patients require reinjection after this period. We report on 6 patients (mean age 41.6 years, range 18-69) with idiopathic cervical dystonia who were treated with BTX-A injections and became asymptomatic for 2-4 years. Four patients showed remission after the first BTX-A treatment, 1 patient after the second set of injections and 1 after the third session. Amelioration of neck dystonia was observed within 1-4 weeks after the last BTX-A treatment and all 6 patients are symptom-free, off antidystonic medications for over 2 years. The possibility that BTX-A treatment may increase the chances of development of clinical remission in patients with idiopathic cervical dystonia is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel. ngiladi@tasmc.health.gov.il
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giladi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kidan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Honigman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D014103:Torticollis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A