Dystonia following peripheral trauma: clinical findings and diagnostic criteria

Dystonia is a rare neurological complication after peripheral trauma. Incid ence and pathophysiology of post-traumatic dystonia are not known. Predispo sing factors are sympathetic reflex dystrophia, pre-existing movement disor ders or a family history of movement disorders. The main diagnostic goal is to exclude other causes of secondary dystonia. Objective criteria for post traumatic dystonia are not established, and therefore differentiation from psychogenic dystonia frequently remains difficult. Careful psychiatric exam ination is obligatory. Clinical criteria are consistency of the symptoms ov er time and the presence of symptoms compatible with organic dystonia. Poly graphic EMG examinations provide objective correlates of the movement disor der, but exact EMG criteria for the diagnosis of dystonia have yet to be es tablished.