Intermittent head drops: the differential spectrum

J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2016 Apr;87(4):414-9. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2015-310864. Epub 2015 Jun 17.

Abstract

Intermittent Head Drops are episodic head flexion movements that can occur in a number of conditions. Typically, the term has mainly been related to epileptic episodes, but the spectrum of clinical conditions associated with this feature is wide-ranging even if never discussed in detail. By searching the electronic database, we may find that apart from the epileptic conditions, Intermittent Head Drops have been in fact reported in the setting of movement disorders, sleep disorders and even internal medicine disorders, such as Sandifer syndrome. We render an in-depth description of this characteristic phenomenon in different diseases, describing the clinical clues and neurophysiological patterns that may help the clinician to distinguish between the different settings of occurrence.

Keywords: MOVEMENT DISORDERS; SLEEP.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Epilepsy / complications
  • Gastroesophageal Reflux / physiopathology
  • Head
  • Humans
  • Movement Disorders / diagnosis
  • Movement Disorders / epidemiology
  • Movement Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Torticollis / physiopathology

Supplementary concepts

  • Sandifer syndrome