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Although Dysport® (botulinum toxin type A) has been used as a first-line therapy for cervical dystonia (CD) for many years, there are only few studies available on dose, efficacy and safety in the treatment of heterogeneous forms of CD. The aim of this study was to analyse effectiveness and safety in the treatment of the most frequent forms of CD, rotational torticollis and predominantly laterocollis with a standard initial dose of 500U Dysport® in a large representative group of patients as presented in typical dystonia clinics. Between November 2004 and January 2008, 514 de novo patients with CD were recruited by 81 study sites in Germany and Austria. Muscle selection for injection was based on clinical assessment taking into account direction of head deviation and occurrence of the additional components shoulder elevation and/or tremor, evaluated using the Tsui rating scale. These ratings permitted the desired individual treatment of the muscles affected and at the same time provided a structure of twelve CD subgroups for intra-individual first treatment. Results of a data monitoring analysis on the baseline values of different study criteria of the first 200 patients will be presented, showing the demographic characteristics, the proportions of the different subgroups and the mean Tsui score across these subgroups. This study with a large patient population will provide valuable insights for optimal initial treatment of heterogeneous forms of CD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]