Dystonia is an abnormal movement characterized by sustained muscle contractions, frequently causing twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal postures. Torsion dystonia is characterized by torsion spasms of muscle contraction, which distorts the limbs and trunk into dystonic postures. We present a case of a patient with torsion dystonia who was recalcitrant to oral medication or even surgical operations. This patient was treated with motor point block using 5% phenol solution. Using electromyographical guidance, phenol was injected into the paraspinal and upper extremity muscles, respectively. He showed reduction of dystonia and improvement of functional abilities. Motor point block using phenol can be considered as a tool of the management for patients with torsion dystonia. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2006; 30: 661-664)

Cervical dystonia is the most common form of local dystonia encountered in a movement disorders clinic. Rotatocollis is involuntary contraction of sternocleidomastoid and contralateral splenius muscles resulting in twisting of the head clockwise or counterclockwise on the axial plane. We injected phenol solution into the affeced muscle or nerve branch in two patients with rotatocollis. There was significant improvement in neck movement and position. Phenol block may offer an easy and inexpensive alternatives for patients with cervical dystonia. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2005; 29: 438-440)