WE MOVE - Focal Dystonias: Oromandibular Dystonia (original) (raw)

Oromandibular dystonia (OMD) may be characterized by dystonic spasms affecting the jaw, mouth, and lower face. The tongue may be involved as in lingual dystonia. In some cases, this may be the most prominent sign of OMD.

In patients with OMD, involuntary contractions may involve the muscles used for chewing (masticatory muscles). These may include the thick muscle in the cheek that closes the jaw (buccinator muscles) and the broad muscle that draws back the lower jaw and closes the mouth (temporalis muscle). Some patients may also experience involuntary contractions of the wide muscle at the side of the neck that close the jaws. This muscle draws down the corner of the mouth and lower lip (platysmal muscles) or other muscle groups.

Associated findings of OMD may include spasms of jaw closure with difficulty opening the mouth (trismus) and clenching or grinding of the teeth (bruxism); spasms of jaw opening; or sideways deviation or protrusion of the jaw. Additional symptoms may also be present, such as lip tightening and pursing; drawing back (retraction) of the corners of the mouth; or deviation or protrusion of the tongue. Due to such findings, OMD may cause jaw pain as well as difficulties eating and speaking (dysarthria). In addition, in some patients, the dystonic spasms may sometimes be provoked by certain activities, such as talking, chewing, or biting. As discussed earlier, particular activities or sensory tricks may sometimes temporarily alleviate OMD symptoms, including chewing gum, talking, placing a toothpick in the mouth, lightly touching the lips or chin, or applying pressure beneath the chin.

Dystonic spasms may extend to involve nearby areas including the muscles of the eyelids, nose, neck, or vocal cords.