A 48-year-old grocery store manager comes to your clinic, complaining of her head being "stuck" to one side. She says that today she was doing her normal routine when it suddenly felt like her head was being moved to her left and then it just stuck that way. She says it is somewhat painful because she cannot get it moved back to normal. She denies any recent neck trauma. Her past medical history consists of type 2 diabetes and gastroparesis (slow-moving peristalsis in the digestive tract, seen in diabetes). She is on oral medication for each. She is married and has three children. She denies tobacco, alcohol, or drug use. Her father has diabetes and her mother passed away from breast cancer. Her children are healthy. On examination you see a slightly overweight Hispanic woman appearing her stated age. Her head is twisted grotesquely to her left but otherwise her examination is normal. What form of involuntary movement does she have?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Dystonia involves large movements of the body, such as with the head or trunk, leading to grotesque twisted postures. Some medications (such as one commonly used for gastroparesis) often cause dystonia.

A 48-Year-Old Grocery Store Manager Comes to Your Clinic, Complaining