A severe episode of dystonia refractory to standard drug therapy has been labeled as status dystonicus or dystonic storm. We report the development of this complication in a 10-year old boy with idiopathic torsion dystonia, the probable precipitating factor being either an infection or introduction of clonazepam.

An 18-month-old with idiopathic opsomyoclonus, refractory to therapy with ACTH, corticosteroids, and clonazepam received plasmapheresis along with oral corticosteroids and azathioprine. The subject improved dramatically following this treatment. Anticerebellar antibodies were detected from the plasma in this patient and in a two and a half year-old girl with cerebellar ataxia secondary to an ad...