Down the Stairs Dystonia—A Novel Task-Specific Focal Isolated Syndrome

Abstract

View Supplementary Video. Adult-onset, task-specific dystonia of the lower limb is a rare occurrence. In this report, the authors present 6 cases of task-specific dystonia manifested only when going down the stairs. These patients were seen by 6 different neurologists from across Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and all videos were reviewed by 1 movement disorders specialist who made the final diagnosis. Video description of each case is also presented. All 6 patients demonstrated dystonia of 1 of their lower limbs specifically only when going down the stairs. The remainder of the neurological examination was normal, and distractibility, inconsistency, fixed dystonia, or a premonitory urge were absent, making functional movement disorder and tic disorder unlikely. These 6 patients display a distinct, adult-onset, focal isolated dystonia manifested only on going down the stairs that is recognizable as a new task-specific dystonia of the lower extremity.