Author/Editor		Turjanski, N; Pirtošek, Z; Quirk, J; Anderson, TJ; Rivest, J; Marsden, CD; Lees, AJ
Title		Botulinum toxin in the treatment of writer's cramp
Type		članek
Source		Clin Neuropharmacol
Vol. and No.		Letnik 19, št. 4
Publication year		1996
Volume		str. 314-20
Language		eng
Abstract		Forty-four patients with disabling writer's cramp (WC) and one with a musician's cramp were treated with botulinum toxin (BT) injections for a mean period of 12 (range, 3-48) months. The forearm muscles causing the dystonic position were identified by inspection while writing; BT was then administered under electromyographic (EMG) guidance. The degree of improvement in writing and amelioration of pain were rated with self-assessment scales. Patients reported significant improvement in writing after 56 percent treatment sessions (TS) and in pain after 62 percent TS. Mild weakness occurred after 32 percent TS. Twenty-nine patients discontinued treatment, generally after the initial BT injection. In 16 patients who remained on treatment with a mean follow-up of 21 (range, 3-48) months, the improvement in writing and pain was present after 76 and 79 percent of the TS, respectively. We conclude that BT injections offered a worthwhile and sustained functional improvement to 36 percent of our patients with WC.
Descriptors		BOTULINUM TOXINS DYSTONIA HAND MUSCLE CRAMP ADULT AGED AGED, 80 AND OVER MIDDLE AGE WRITING