Opisthotonus

Evidence-based neurology checklist on opisthotonus: Clinical features Opisthotonus is forceful axial extension of the trunk and neck (retrocollis) It is caused by involuntary contractions of the paraspinal muscles It is usually associated with dystonic posturing of the limbs Neurological causes…

Clinical features

  • Opisthotonus is forceful axial extension of the trunk and neck (retrocollis)
  • It is caused by involuntary contractions of the paraspinal muscles
  • It is usually associated with dystonic posturing of the limbs

Neurological causes

Tardive causes (tardive dystonia)

Infectious causes

Metabolic causes

Systemic causes

Treatment

Synonym

References

  1. Hull M, Parnes M, Jankovic J. Botulinum neurotoxin injections in childhood opisthotonus. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:137.
  2. Bavdhankar K, Joshi R, Maheshkar P, Agrawal S, Jain N, Ravat SH, Agarwal PA. Prominent extensor truncal dystonia (dystonic opisthotonus) in DJ1-related atypical dystonia-parkinsonism. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2025; 137:107899.
  3. Gurram S, Holla VV, Kumari R, et al. Dystonic opisthotonus in Kufor-Rakeb syndrome: expanding the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum. J Mov Disord 2023; 16:343-346.
  4. Constantini S, Beni L. Reversible opisthotonus following intracranial pressure changes in Chiari malformation. Childs Nerv Syst 1993; 9:350-352.
  5. Ersahin Y, Mutluer S, Güzelbag E. A case of double-compartment hydrocephalus presenting with opisthotonus. Surg Neurol 1992; 38:291-293.
  6. And 14 more. Subscribe to see the full list

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