Anterocollis: clinical features and treatment options

Abstract

Background: Anterocollis (AC) is a form of cervical dystonia (CD) that produces patterned, repetitive muscle contractions that result in neck flexion. It has been mainly described in the context of parkinsonian movement disorders including Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy.

Material/methods: We performed a review of consecutive AC patients seen in our Movement Disorders Clinic over a 15-year period. The diagnosis of AC was based on degree of abnormal neck anteroflexion.

Results: Out of 399 CD patients 27 (6.8%) had features of AC. AC was more prevalent in women (67.3%). It was associated with neuroleptic exposure, PD and a family history of movement/neurological disorder. No definite cases with MSA and AC were described in our cohort. Botulinum toxin injections and tetrabenazine produced clinical improvement.

Conclusions: The demographic and phenotypic features and treatment outcomes of AC in our cohort were somewhat different from other types of CD.