Abstract
The congenital torticollis, present from birth, is characterized by an inclination and rotation of the head in relation to the trunk, due to contracture or fibrosis of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Inclination occurs on the same side of the affected sternocleidomastoid muscle, and it is localized across the entire cervical spine while rotation of the face and chin is contralateral and it is largely localized at C1 and C2 levels.
When diagnosed and treated early (<6 months), torticollis can be managed conservatively with good or excellent results. In older patients (1–4 years), corrective surgery has both cosmetic and functional benefits. In neglected cases (>5 years), the form and efficacy of treatment are controversial and correction of bone malformations should not be expected.
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Further Readings
Cheng JC, et al. The clinical presentation and outcome of treatment of congenital muscular torticollis in infants—a study of 1,086 cases. J Pediatr Surg. 2000;35(7):1091–6.
Lee EH, Kang YK, Bose K. Surgical correction of muscular torticollis in the older child. J Pediatr Orthop. 1986;6:585–9.
Sudesh P, et al. Results of bipolar release in the treatment of congenital muscular torticolis in patients older than 10 years of age. J Child Orthop. 2010;4(3):227–32.
Yu CC, et al. Craniofacial deformity in patients with uncorrected congenital muscular torticollis: an assessment from three-dimensional computed tomography imaging. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004;113(1):24–33.
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Canavese, F. (2022). Congenital Torticollis (Torticollis Not Related to Trauma). In: Şenköylü, A., Canavese, F. (eds) Essentials of Spine Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80356-8_28
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80356-8_28
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-80355-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-80356-8
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