Every year, an increasing number of foreign patients turn to Israeli clinics for the treatment of rare and poorly understood neurological diseases, among which is torsion dystonia. The country's popularity is explained by the highest quality of services provided, as well as the best in the world medical centers equipped with modern diagnostic and therapeutic equipment. Treatment of torsion dystonia in Israel is carried out by highly qualified neurologists and neurosurgeons according to a comprehensive scheme, individually developed based on the results of the patient's examination. Progressive methods of performing neurosurgical operations and the latest medications allow for symptom relief and remission in more than 90% of cases.
Performing diagnostic procedures on high-precision equipment in Israeli clinics ensures the prompt conduct of examinations, during which signs of disturbances, their causes, the degree of damage to brain structures, and pathological changes in their functional activity are established. In Israel, a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment process is adopted, according to which all issues are resolved by a group of narrow-profile specialists. Feedback from patients and their relatives indicates a noticeable improvement in well-being after completing the prescribed therapeutic course, highlighting the acceptable cost of treatment and comfortable conditions in the clinic.
Treatment Methods for the Disease
Torsion dystonia is a chronic disease of the nervous system characterized by tonic contractions of various muscle groups, resulting in hyperkinesias and forced pathological postures. The pathology can occur at any age, but is most commonly diagnosed in patients under fifteen years of age. The relevance of the problem is associated with the progressive nature of the pathology leading to disability and the lack of effective therapy.
The exact causes of the disease are not established. The role of hereditary predisposition, the occurrence of the pathology due to traumatic brain injuries, the presence of intracranial neoplasms, cerebral palsy, and some other diseases has been proven.
In the early stages of the disease, muscle spasms mainly occur during exertion on the affected muscle group. For example, the so-called writer's cramp develops only when writing. Frequent contractions of the muscle lead to its hypertrophy, and with prolonged progression of the disease — to shortening and inability to stretch. The resulting forced unnatural position of the limb leads to joint tissue dystrophy and joint contractures. In cases of back muscle involvement, patients exhibit various types of spinal curvature.
The treatment scheme includes individually tailored conservative and surgical methods.
Surgical Treatment
In cases of severe forms and rapid progression of the disease, stereotactic neurosurgical operations are performed, during which the brain structures responsible for the formation and transmission of impulses are destroyed. The procedure is carried out in several stages. Initially, the location of the pathological focus is accurately calculated, for which a stereotactic frame is fixed on the patient's head, and then an MRI of the brain is performed. The obtained indicators, along with the landmarks indicated by the stereotactic frame, are subsequently used to determine the coordinates of the intended target. After calculating the necessary parameters, the neurosurgeon penetrates the required area of the brain and destroys the structures located there. Studies show that stereotactic surgical interventions significantly improve prognosis and ensure the maintenance of good patient well-being for many years.
In cases of localized torsion dystonia, radical surgery (surgery aimed at cutting nerve roots) and neurotomy (nerve excision procedure) are indicated. This completely eliminates the influence of elements of the nervous system on muscle function. In cases of pathological changes in the joints at the late stage of the disease, treatment is performed by orthopedic surgeons and involves various orthopedic surgeries.
Electrostimulation of Subcortical Structures
A progressive method of destroying the brain structures involved in the development of the pathological process. For this, electrodes are implanted into the pathological focus, whose discharges help suppress its excessive activity. The procedure is preceded by precise localization of the target, carried out as in stereotactic intervention, while penetration into the area of pathology and implantation of electrodes is performed under radiological control. The impulse-generating neurostimulator is implanted under the skin in the subclavian area. As a result of the procedure, a constant supply of high-frequency impulses to the brain is achieved, and the patient can independently adjust the parameters of the neurostimulator.
Medication Treatment
In Israeli clinics, types of medications, their dosages, and schedules are individually tailored for each patient. The medication therapy scheme includes the following medications:
- anticonvulsants;
- muscle relaxants;
- cholinolytics;
- adrenergic blockers;
- benzodiazepines;
- glucocorticoids;
- neuroleptics;
- tranquilizers;
- vitamin B group.
Symptom relief is noted with intramuscular administration of botulinum neurotoxin (BNT). BNT suppresses the release of muscle contraction stimulators into the bloodstream, promoting relaxation and preventing the development of spasms. Israeli doctors recommend administering the drug at least once every three months.
Positive effects are also noted from physiotherapeutic procedures: hydrotherapy, therapeutic exercises, massage.
Modern Methods of Diagnosing the Disease
To determine the cause of the emerging disturbances, conduct differential diagnosis, and establish a therapeutic scheme, a comprehensive examination of the patient is carried out, taking no more than three days in Israel.
On the first day of stay in the clinic, the patient is referred for a consultation with the leading neurologist. During the appointment, the doctor studies the medical history, talks to the patient, clarifying the specifics of the troubling symptoms and collecting a detailed family history. After performing neurological and superficial examinations, the neurologist issues referrals for consultations with a neurosurgeon or orthopedist and prescribes necessary examinations.
The patient undergoes the prescribed diagnostic procedures:
- imaging studies (CT and MRI of the brain);
- electroencephalography (EEG);
- echoencephalography (Echo-EEG);
- rheoencephalography (REG);
- ultrasound examination of the vessels of the head and neck;
- lumbar puncture with subsequent examination of cerebrospinal fluid;
- laboratory tests of blood and urine.
The obtained results are submitted for review by a council consisting of a neurologist and narrow-profile specialists. After studying the indicators, the doctors collectively establish a diagnosis and develop a therapy scheme.
How Much Does Treatment of the Disease Cost
The price of the treatment course is among the most frequently asked questions by medical tourists. Therapy in Israeli clinics costs approximately 30% less than in Western European clinics and 50% less than in American medical centers.
Advantages of Treatment in Israel
- High qualification and many years of experience of doctors.
- Availability of modern medical equipment.
- Inclusion of progressive methods and the latest medications in the treatment scheme.
- Fast and accurate diagnosis.
- Loyal prices.
In the absence of timely adequate therapy, torsion dystonia steadily progresses and leads to disability and the inability to lead an active life. Don't delay, contact an Israeli clinic and receive help from the best specialists in the world.