Perioperative use of botulinum toxin for movement disorder–induced cervical spine disease

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Abstract
Patients with cervical dystonia or tics of the nuchal muscles can develop serious cervical spine disease. We report a series of four patients who received botulinum toxin injections to control their movement disorders prior to their required surgery. One patient with cervical tic–induced radiculomyelopathy required botulinum toxin injection postoperatively to facilitate stabilization of the cervical fusion. Two patients with torticollis‐induced cervical radiculomyelopathy, and one patient with dystonia‐induced C5 fracture, had botulinum toxin injected pre‐operatively to facilitate postoperative recovery. Botulinum toxin appears to be a useful adjunct in the treatment of cervical movement disorders prior to or following surgery for associated cervical spine disease.