Clinical aspects of multifocal or generalized tonic dystonia in reflex sympathetic dystrophy.

The authors describe 10 patients with reflex sympathetic dystrophy that progressed to a multifocal or generalized tonic dystonia. The neuropsychologic profile was similar to that of other patients with chronic pain, irrespective of its cause. The distribution pattern of dystonia, the stretch reflex abnormalities, and the worsening of dystonia after tactile and auditory stimuli suggest impairment of interneuronal circuits at the brainstem or spinal level. Antibody titers for glutamic acid decarboxylase, tetanus, and Sjögren antigens were all normal.