Neuroleptic-Induced Tardive Cervical Dystonia: Clinical Series of 20 Patients

Background: Cervical dystonia (CD) may be classified according to the underlying cause into primary or secondary CD. Previous exposure to neuroleptics is one of the main causes of adult-onset secondary dystonia. There are few reports that characterize the clinical features of primary CD and secondary neuroleptic-induced CD. Herein our aim was to investigate a series of patients with neuroleptic induced tardive CD and to describe their clinical and demographic features. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 20 patients with neuroleptic-induced tardive CD and compared clinical, demographic and therapeutic characteristics to another 77 patients with primary CD. All patients underwent Botulinum toxin type-A therapy. Results: We did not identify any relevant clinical and demographic characteristics in our group of patients that could be used to distinguish tardive and primary CD. Conclusion: Patients with tardive CD presented demographic characteristics and disease course similar to those with primary CD.