Dystonic opisthotonus: a "red flag" for neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation syndromes?

ABSTRACT: Back arching was reported in one of the very first patients with neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation syndrome (NBIAs) published in 1936. However, recent reports have mainly focused on the genetic and imaging aspects of these disorders, and the phenotypic characterization of the dystonia has been lost. In evaluating patients with NBIAs in our centers, we have observed that action-induced dystonic opisthotonus is a common and characteristic feature of NBIAs. Here, we present a case series of patients with NBIAs presenting this feature demonstrated by videos. We suggest that dystonic opisthotonus could be a useful "red flag" for clinicians to suspect NBIAs, and we discuss the differential diagnosis of this feature. This would be particularly useful in identifying patients with NBIA

SUBMITTER: Stamelou M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4208296 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature