Hairdresser’s Dystonia: An Unusual Occupational Dystonia

Giovanni Bosco Zimatore,Maurizio Giorelli

doi:10.5334/tohm.155

Abstract

Background: Adult-onset focal dystonias (AOFDs) are non-task-specific or task-specific and may spread to other body segments of affected patients. Case report: We report the case of a barber with non-task-specific craniocervical dystonia and a new occupational focal hand dystonia (while using scissors). Discussion: Different AOFDs may develop and coexist in the same ‘‘vulnerable’’ patient. Hairdresser’s dystonia is a rare task-specific dystonia.

Highlights

Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that lead to abnormal postures and/or repetitive movements.[1]
Blepharospasm is characterized by involuntary spasms of the orbicularis oculi muscles and/or increased blinking; it is a manifestation of adult-onset focal dystonia (AOFD), and has a high likelihood (50% risk) of spreading beyond the orbicularis oculi over 5 years.[2]
When we examined him at rest, we observed blepharospasm, and grimacing and contraction of the platysma, which we identified as craniocervical dystonia

Summary

Introduction

Dystonia is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that lead to abnormal postures and/or repetitive movements.[1] Blepharospasm is characterized by involuntary spasms of the orbicularis oculi muscles and/or increased blinking; it is a manifestation of adult-onset focal dystonia (AOFD), and has a high likelihood (50% risk) of spreading beyond the orbicularis oculi over 5 years.[2] Focal task-specific dystonia (FTSD) and occupational cramps manifest only during the execution of a specific activity and may arise with virtually any task.[3] Focal hand dystonia can occur during writing,[4] and when playing wind instruments, string instruments, or the piano[5] or when using the mouse of a computer.[6] Recently, a peculiar form of dystonia was observed in a hairdresser performing a particular technique of hair cutting called ‘‘club-cutting.’’7 We describe a barber with blepharospasm who later developed occupational hand dystonia

Case report

Findings

Discussion