The Dystonias is a new title introduced under the Contemporary Neurology Series defining the key features of one of the most frequently misdiagnosed of all movement disorders. This volume provides a comprehensive practical clinical resource that addresses how to recognize the many types of dystonia, how they are diagnosed and evaluated, and the currently available medical and surgical treatments.
The dystonias are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by excessive muscle contractions leading to abnormal postures and movements. The clinical manifestations of dystonias are quite varied. The dystonias may emerge at any age from infancy through late adulthood, they may affect muscles in nearly any region of the body alone or in various combinations, they may occur without other clinical problems, or they may be combined with other neurological or systemic disorders. There are many causes for dystonia too, both acquired and inherited. The chapters explore the clinical manifestations and causes which are quite varied for all age groups. Among adults, the most common syndromes affect a single body region such as the neck (cervical dystonia or torticollis), craniofacial region (blepharospasm or oromandibular dystonia), one limb (writer's cramp or foot dystonia), the larynx (laryngeal dystonia or spasmodic dysphonia), or another region. For adults, most cases are idiopathic, and a cause cannot be found despite extensive workup. For children, dystonia often spreads to involve a broader region of the body, and a cause is more likely to be discovered. The most common syndromes among children include cerebral palsy or genetic disorders where dystonia may occur in isolation or combined with other clinical problems.
The Dystonias will be the most useful guide for both pediatric and adult neurologists, as well as specialists in rehabilitation medicine or physiotherapy. This book will also be valuable for neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists, developmentalists, rehab specialists and physiotherapists.
H.A. Jinnah got his MD degree and a PhD degree in Neuroscience from the University of California in San Diego. He then completed a Neurology Residency at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, and was on the faculty there for 10 years. Since 2009 he has been at Emory University in Atlanta, where he is Professor of Neurology, Human Genetics, and Pediatrics. He has more than 300 publications, with a special interest in research relating to dystonia, neurogenetics, and the development of novel treatments.
Bettina Balint is assistant professor for clinical research on complex movement disorders and Parkinson´s disease at the University of Zurich, and head of the movement disorder department at the University Hospital Zurich. Her clinical and academic career in neurology comprised specialist training in movement disorders and autoimmune diseases at the University Hospital Heidelberg, Germany, the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, and the neuroimmunology department of the University of Oxford, UK. She has numerous publications including peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters and books, serves on various guideline committees, task forces, editorial boards and regularly lecture at various national and international meetings.
Victor Fung is Professor of Neurology and Motor Control, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, and Director of the Movement Disorders Unit and past Head, Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital in Sydney, Australia. He is President of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) and a past-President of the Movement Disorder Society of Australia and New Zealand. He has a clinical and research interest in Parkinson's disease and movement disorders with over 200 peer-reviewed publications and an h-index of 57.
