Produces distortion of the neck secondary to spasm of the neck muscles. Also called cervical dystonia. The head is involuntarily turned to one side during an attack. The disorder can occur from birth to adulthood but is most common in young and middle-aged women. Some cases resolve on their own but others need specific therapy. The cause can be inherited (spasmodic torticollis), acquired after an injury, or unknown (idiopathic torticollis).