How does dystonia typically present?

How does dystonia typically present?

• A. Muscle spasms that do not relax
• B. Intermittent tremor at rest
• C. Flaccid weakness
• D. Numbness in extremities

Answer: (A)

Dystonia presents with involuntary, sustained or intermittent muscle contractions that produce twisting, repetitive movements or abnormal postures. The hallmark described here is muscle spasms that do not relax, reflecting those persistent contractions that give dystonia its characteristic postures and movements. Tremor at rest is more typical of Parkinsonian or essential tremor phenomena, not the sustained contraction pattern of dystonia. Flaccid weakness points to loss of muscle tone from nerve or muscle disease, not the abnormal sustained contractions seen in dystonia. Numbness in the extremities indicates sensory loss from neuropathy or radiculopathy, which isn’t how dystonia presents.

Dystonia presents with involuntary, sustained or intermittent muscle contractions that produce twisting, repetitive movements or abnormal postures. The hallmark described here is muscle spasms that do not relax, reflecting those persistent contractions that give dystonia its characteristic postures and movements. Tremor at rest is more typical of Parkinsonian or essential tremor phenomena, not the sustained contraction pattern of dystonia. Flaccid weakness points to loss of muscle tone from nerve or muscle disease, not the abnormal sustained contractions seen in dystonia. Numbness in the extremities indicates sensory loss from neuropathy or radiculopathy, which isn’t how dystonia presents.