Cervical dystonia mimicking dropped-head syndrome after radiotherapy for laryngeal carcinoma.
We report a case of cervical dystonia mimicking dropped-head syndrome (DHS) in a 57-year-old man treated for laryngeal carcinoma by radiotherapy (74.4 Gy) 3 months before. Cervical computerized tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not find any muscle fat changes but found a high-intensity signal on T2 weighted images in the cervical spinal cord. Clinical and electromyographic findings were consistent with cervical dystonia. A trapezius biopsy was normal. Spontaneous remission of the dystonia was observed for 1 month whereas the laryngeal carcinoma progressed. The link between cervical dystonia and radiotherapy might be acute radiation-induced damage to the cervical spinal cord.
Astudillo
Leonardo
L
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Purpan, CHU Purpan Unité J. Tapie, 1 place du Dr Baylac, 31059 Toulouse, France. astudillo.l@chu-toulouse.fr
Hollington
L
L
Game
X
X
Benyoucef
A
A
Boladeras
A M
AM
Delisle
M B
MB
Simonetta-Moreau
M
M
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D004576:Electromyography / Q000528:radiation effects; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000294:innervation; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000528:radiation effects; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014103:Torticollis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*