Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation
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Arch Phys Med Rehabil · Aug 1994
Case ReportsEarly onset dystonia following traumatic brain injury.
Dystonia, a movement disorder resulting from dysfunction of the basal ganglia and thalamus, has not been described during the acute post-traumatic period after severe traumatic brain injury. We reported three patients who developed early onset dystonia after sustaining severe closed head injuries. ⋯ All of our patients also presented with autonomic instability. Because injuries that cause damage to the basal ganglia and thalamus may also affect the nearby hypothalamus, both dystonic posturing and autonomic instability may result.