title: The phenomenology and natural history of idiopathic lower cranial dystonia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many patients with lower cranial dystonia (LCrD) are misdiagnosed, and recognition of this condition by general practitioners and dental health professionals is limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  We define the phenomenology and natural history of idiopathic LCrD, presenting in 41 patients with the disorder, the largest series of these patients reported to date.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phenomenology of dystonia included lower cranial and pharyngeal involvement, jaw opening and jaw closing dystonia, and tongue dystonia. Of 25 newly described patients, 72% (18) were female, average age at onset was 56 years, and delay before correct diagnosis was 3.8 years (0-25 years, median 2 years). Eleven patients (44%) reported a precipitating event, the most common of which was recent dental work. Geste antagonistes were found in 18 patients (72%). Response to treatment was mixed, indicating an unmet therapeutic need.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Idiopathic LCrD is often missed and institution of effective therapy is often delayed. The clinical features and natural history of LCrD are similar to other forms of focal dystonia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Movement Disorders Division, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 5 East 98th St, first floor, New York, NY 10029 USA.
authors.forename: Pichet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Termsarasab
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Movement Disorders Division, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 5 East 98th St, first floor, New York, NY 10029 USA.
authors.forename: Donald R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Tanenbaum
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Movement Disorders Division, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 5 East 98th St, first floor, New York, NY 10029 USA.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Frucht
keywords: Geste antagoniste; Lower cranial dystonia; Oromandibular dystonia