Case Report: Isolated lingual dystonia.

Zaland Ahmed Yousafzai,Sohail Khan,Wajeeha Qayyum,Qazi Kamran Amin,Mawara Iftikhar

doi:10.12688/f1000research.23237.1

Abstract

Oromandibular dystonia is defined as a focal dystonia that manifests as forceful contractions of the face, jaw, and/or tongue. Lingual dystonia is a rare subtype of oromandibular dystonia that specifically affects the tongue. Multiple etiologies are thought to attribute to oromandibular dystonia, including brain damage, the use of neuroleptic medications, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and viral infections. Idiopathic cases of isolated lingual dystonia are rare and seldom reported in the literature. This report describes a 35-year-old female patient with lingual dystonia that was present at rest and aggravated during speech. Despite detailed history taking and a thorough examination, along with multiple imaging and laboratory studies, no cause could be established and her case was classified as being that of an idiopathic etiology.

Highlights

Dystonia refers to a movement disorder that causes abnormal muscles contractions and spams that are either sustained or intermittent, and can produce repetitive movements of the affected muscle group or abnormal posture
Dystonia can be further be classified on the basis of clinical characteristics and etiology[1]
Case report A 35-year-old woman presented to our neurology Out Patient Department (OPD) with an 11 month history of abnormal tongue movement and protrusion, which was aggravated on talking

Summary

Introduction

Dystonia refers to a movement disorder that causes abnormal muscles contractions and spams that are either sustained or intermittent, and can produce repetitive movements of the affected muscle group or abnormal posture. Oromandibular dystonia are characterized by involuntary movements involving masticatory, lingual and pharyngeal muscles It can manifest as jaw clenching, jaw opening, jaw deviation and tongue protrusion, and can result in impaired speech, dysphagia and cosmetic disfigurement. Case report A 35-year-old woman presented to our neurology Out Patient Department (OPD) with an 11 month history of abnormal tongue movement and protrusion, which was aggravated on talking. The patient complained of difficulty in swallowing Her past medical history was insignificant for any comorbidities, psychiatric illness, endocrine, metabolic and neurological diseases. Slower speech and low voice intensity improved tongue protrusion Aside from these abnormalities, during general physical and detailed neurological examination, the patient’s motor, sensory and cerebellar functions were all normal. The patient is still under treatment and is showing good prognosis

Discussion

Jankovic J

Yoshida K