Cervical dystonia after ear surgery

Abstract

Background: The pathophysiology of primary focal dystonia remains insufficiently understood, but may be explained by a 'double-lesion' model, in which a particular trigger on top of an intrinsic susceptibility due to a certain genetic predisposition can induce dystonia.

Case-report: Here, we describe a patient who developed cervical dystonia soon after ear surgery (revision stapedectomy), which had caused vestibular hypofunction.

Discussion: We also discuss other cases of dystonia associated with vestibular lesions and with other reported triggers, and put these into the context of the possible pathophysiology.