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TORTICOLLIS
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Dr A.Johari.
Consulting Pediatric Orthopedic
Consultant at Bombay Hospital ,
B.J.Wadia Children's Hospital ,
Children's Orthopedic Centre.
Torticollis is a rotational deformity of the neck, which may be seen at birth or may develop later.
Congenital torticollis:
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It results from fibromatosis of the sternomastoid and is seen upto 2 weeks after birth. The swelling is usually located near the clavicular attachment of the sternomastoid and at times, it involves the whole muscle. The usual course is one of spontaneous regression over a period of 1 year. Therefore treatment in infancy is purely conservative. Parents should be instructed to stretch the sternomastoid by manipulation, positioning in sleep, and play therapy. They should approach the baby and place toys on the side, which has rotational limitation (the same side as the contracted sternomastoid) so that the baby is forced to turn its head thereby actively stretching the contracture. Any permanent torticollis becomes worse during growth and results in a deformity resistant to correction due to adaptive soft tissue and bony changes. The head inclines towards the affected side and face to the opposite side. The patient develops facial asymmetry, changes in the fronto-occipital diameter and elevation of the ipsilateral shoulder. CDH or acetabular dysplasia is an association in upto 20% and careful screening for these is mandatory.
Non - operative treatment after one year is rarely successful. Operative treatment involves the release of tight soft tissues (the sternomastoid) followed by a period of casting and bracing to maintain correction. Best results are obtained with early operation - usually around one year of age. Regardless of type of treatment - established facial asymmetry and limitation of motion greater than 300 at the start of treatment usually preclude a good result.
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Acquired Torticollis
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It is multifactorial. In children between 6 and 12 years of age, upper respiratory tract infection is a common cause. Patients develop a spontaneous atlantoaxial subluxation barely noticeable on radiographs. Treatment is by continuous cervical traction followed by collar wear till muscle spasm resolves. Tuberculosis of the atlantoaxial region with subluxation is frequently seen in a pediatric orthopedic setting. Other causes include trauma with resultant subluxation or dislocation or a fracture-dislocation of the cervical spine, paralysis (post polio), ocular disturbances, and rarely spasmodic torticollis.
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References:
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- Armstrong D, Pickrell K, Fettr B, Pitts W. Torticollis : an analysis of 271 cases. Plat Reconstr surg 1965, 35: 14.
- Canale ST, Griffin DW, Hubbard CN. Congenital muscular torticollis : a long term follow up. J Bone Joint Surg 1982, 64-A:
- Conventry MB, Harris L. Congenital muscular torticollis in infancy : some observations regarding treatment. J Bone Joint surg 1959, 41-A:815.
- Hummer CD Jr, MacEwen GD. The coexistence of torticollis and congenital dysplasia of the hip. J Bone Joint surg 1972, 54-A: 1255.
- Ling CM, The influence of age on the results of open sternomastoid totomy in muscular torticollis. Clin Orthop 1976, 116: 142.
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Last created on 12-06-2001
Last modified on 01-07-2006
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