Failure of fixed-dose, fixed muscle injection of botulinum toxin in torticollis.

We studied the effect of botulinum toxin injection in 30 patients with torticollis in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. A fixed dose of toxin was injected into the contralateral sternocleidomastoid and both trapezius muscles. Clinical improvement was assessed by a rating scale and by patient self-evaluation. Subjective rating noted improvement in some patients, but there was no change in objective measures. The use of larger doses and injection of additional muscles may be necessary to achieve increased efficacy of botulinum toxin in the treatment of torticollis.