ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To report a case illustrating the usefulness of botulinum toxin A in the treatment of spinal dystonia responsible for low back pain and postural disorders. METHODS: Critical appraisal of a case report. CASE REPORT: A young woman with cerebral palsy had lumbar paraspinal muscle dystonia responsible for pain and hyperlordosis unresponsive to oral medications for muscle spasm. Botulinum toxin A (Botox(R), 200 U) was injected into the paraspinal muscles at six sites, to good effect. DISCUSSION: The few reported cases consistently show a favorable effect of local botulinum toxin A injections in patients with painful paraspinal muscle dystonia related to neurological disease or chronic low back pain. CONCLUSION: Botulinum toxin A may be a useful treatment for incapacitating painful dystonia of the paraspinal muscles. This treatment improves posture in the sitting position and facilitates the fitting of orthotic devices. Furthermore, botulinum toxin A treatment may help to determine whether an intrathecal baclofen test is in order.
