title: The challenge of diagnosing focal hand dystonia in musicians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To most clinicians, medical problems in musicians, particularly those concerning focal hand dystonia, constitute an unfamiliar domain difficult to manage. The latter can importantly influence diagnostics and the course of treatment. The purpose of this study was to enlighten the issue and to identify possible problems in diagnosing musicians' cramp within the Spanish medical community.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a brief questions' catalog and clinical histories of 665 musicians seen at our clinic for performing artists. We analyzed patients' diagnosis records in 87 cases of focal hand dystonia (13.1%). In so doing, we surveyed previous diagnoses and diverse treatments prescriptions prior to referral to our clinic.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Referrals came primarily from orthopaedists and neurologists. The 52.9% arrived at our clinic without a diagnosis or a suspicion of suffering from focal dystonia. The most frequently attempted diagnoses other than musicians' dystonia included nerve compression, tendonitis and trigger fingers. Commonly prescribed treatments included rest, various surgical procedures, physiotherapy and oral anti-inflammatory medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This data depicts the diagnostic challenges of medical professionals may encounter when confronted with musician's focal dystonia.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Fisiologia i Medicina de l 'Art-Terrassa, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain. info@institutart.com
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rosset-Llobet
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Candia
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fàbregas i Molas
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dolors Rosinés i Cubells
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pascual-Leone
mesh_terms: D004421:Dystonia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004576:Electromyography; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D009146:Music; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods*; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods*; D011361:Professional Competence; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies