Dystonia is the third most common movement disorder after Parkinson's
disease and Tremor. It is a neurologic disorder characterized by
involuntary, sustained, patterned and often repetitive muscle contractions
of opposing muscles that force parts of the body into abnormal and sometimes
painful postures. Dystonia can affect any part of the body and while not
fatal, it is a chronic and debilitating disorder. Managing dystonic
conditions can be difficult in developing countries where there are limited
diagnostic and therapeutic resources. The use of botulinum toxin, considered
the treatment of choice for many focal or segmental dystonias, is discussed
in regard to its cost effectiveness in the setting of limited resources.
