Painful Paroxysmal Dystonia as a Revealing Symptom of Multiple Sclerosis: A Case Report and Literature Review

Multiple sclerosis (MS) can present with a wide range of motor symptoms, including movement disorders that are often underrecognized. Among these, painful paroxysmal dystonias, though rare, are particularly important to recognize when they occur as an initial manifestation. We report the case of a 51-year-old woman with no significant past medical history who presented with recurrent, brief, painful dystonic movements affecting the right upper limb and hemiface. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed demyelinating lesions consistent with MS, and clinical improvement was achieved with corticosteroid therapy. Early recognition of such presentations is essential for accurate diagnosis and timely management.