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A practical approach to the patient presenting with dropped head
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  1. Marija Cauchi1,
  2. Eleanor Marsh2
  1. 1Department of Neurosciences, Mater Dei Hospital, Tal-Qroqq, Malta
  2. 2Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, Wales, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Marija Cauchi, Department of Neurosciences, Mater Dei Hospital, Tal-Qroqq MSD2090, Malta; marijacauchi{at}gmail.com

Abstract

Head drop, or having a dropped head, is an uncommon condition in which patients present with a disabling inability to lift their head. It may arise in many neurological conditions that can be divided into those with neuromuscular weakness of neck extensors and those with increased tone of neck flexors. The most common neuromuscular causes include myasthenia gravis, motor neurone disease and myositis, while neck dystonia secondary to movement disorders can cause an increased tone. Investigations should include blood tests, imaging, muscle biopsy and neurophysiological studies. Here, we present a man with dropped head and discuss the investigation and management of this condition.

  • Dropped Head
  • Isolated Neck Extensor Myopathy
  • DYSTONIA
  • Neck flexion weakness

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Footnotes

  • Contributors MC contributed to the literature review and drafted the article. EM contributed to the conception of the work, literature review and revision of the final draft.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Commissioned; externally peer reviewed. This paper was reviewed by Chris McDermott, Sheffield, UK

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  • Editors' commentary
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