A unique case of tardive dystonia induced by short-term therapy with perazin

Mouvements anormaux d’origine médicamenteuse : les syndromes tardifs

Persistent drug-induced movement disorders (tardive syndromes) remain an important clinical problem and consist of a variety of involuntary movements appearing in a patient exposed to a dopamine-blocking agent. The current state of knowledge on this topic is summarised in this article. Clinical aspects (tardive dyskinesia, tardive dystonia and other forms), prevalence, risk factors, prevention and management are discussed.

Dystonia: a case report and review

Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by increased muscular tone for which surgical treatment has met with less than ideal results. Surgical treatment in patients with dystonia is often avoided due to the relative success of medical therapy. However, if expectations stay realistic and if the patient with dystonia is continuously evaluated, appropriate surgical measures may be taken when necessary to optimize patient satisfaction. The authors present a case of successful surgical treatment in a patient with a relatively static but crippling lower extremity deformity. A review of dystonia is included with successful surgical treatment of this compound neurologic disease causing lower extremity deformity in a young female. Diagnosis and treatment options including surgical planning and principles in the dystonic patient are highlighted.

The current status of tardive dystonia

Tardive dystonia (TDt), a persistent dystonia associated with exposure to neuroleptic drugs, is an uncommon disorder. It differs from tardive dyskinesia (TDk) in epidemiology, clinical features, risk factors, pathophysiology, course, prognosis, and treatment outcome. TDt seems to develop faster and is more painful, distressing, and disabling than tardive dyskinesia. In this article, evidence is reviewed on the face, descriptive, construct, and predictive validity of this iatrogenic complication of antipsychotic drugs. It is suggested that TDt should not be lumped together with TDk. It deserves a separate nosological status as an independent diagnostic category. The subclassification of TDt into various subtypes based on coexistence of other movement disorders is suggested.