Relationship between the spinal accessory nerve and the posterior root of the first cervical nerve in spasmodic torticollis and common autopsy cases.

Operative findings on the topographical relationship of the spinal root of the accessory nerve to the posterior root of the first cervical nerve in 30 patients suffering from severe spasmodic torticollis are compared with anatomical findings in 50 common autopsy cases. Anastomoses between the SRAN and DRC 1 were found much more frequently in torticollis-patients (87%:46%). These results support the hypothesis of a peripheral pathogenic factor in the etiology of ST.