What are the clinical signs of spasmodic torticollis?

Spasmodic torticollis, also known as cervical dystonia, is a condition characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that cause the neck to twist in a typical, often asymmetrical position. The primary clinical sign of this condition is indeed the presence of spasms that lead to the head being held in a specific orientation, which is often tilted or rotated. These characteristic spasms can occur intermittently and may vary in intensity, reinforcing the significance of this option as the correct answer.

Understanding the other choices helps clarify why they do not capture the essence of spasmodic torticollis as effectively. While radiating pain and varying pain may be associated with different musculoskeletal or neurological conditions, they do not specifically define the characteristic muscular contractions seen in spasmodic torticollis. Reduced range of motion can occur, but it is often a secondary effect of the muscle spasms rather than a primary clinical sign of the condition itself. Therefore, the defining feature of spasmodic torticollis remains the spasms that cause the neck to adopt a typical, distressed position, which is accurately represented by the correct answer.