Torticollis, or wryneck, is a condition characterized by lateral twisting of the neck, causing the head to tilt to one side and the chin to rotate to the opposite side.
A myriad of conditions can cause torticollis; however, it must be emphasized that the differential diagnosis is quite different for infants (or babies) in comparison with children and adolescents.
Image Credit: Blaj Gabriel / Shutterstock.com
The most common cause of torticollis in babies is congenital muscular torticollis linked to a contracture of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Some unusual non-muscular causes of torticollis in babies also have to be considered, including benign paroxysmal torticollis, ocular torticollis caused by the disturbances in the oculomotor nerves, Sandifer’s syndrome as a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as neural axis abnormalities.
Congenital muscular torticollis
Congenital muscular torticollis is also known as wryneck, crooked neck, and caput obstipum.
Causes
Congenital muscular torticollis represents a condition caused by unilateral fibrosis of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which is the large muscle that allows the neck to turn and rotate. Although numerous explanations and pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed, the true etiology of this condition remains uncertain.
Still, various causes have been implicated in the development of congenital muscular torticollis, some of which include fibrosis form bleeding during birth, traumatic child delivery, intrauterine crowding, primary myopathies of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, as well as an intrauterine compartment syndrome of the same muscle.
Congenital muscular torticollis is already present at the time of birth; however, it can develop very quickly after birth as well. Regardless of when the condition arises, it is generally not discovered until the first 6 - 8 weeks after birth, when a newborn starts to gain control over the movement of head and neck. Some infants with congenital muscular torticollis, many of which are girls, also present with developmental dysplasia of the hip, which is a dislocation of the hip joint present from birth.
Symptoms
In addition to head tilting, in babies with this condition have a limited range of motion around the neck. As a result, these patients usually present with a soft lump in the neck muscle and flattening of a side of the face due to sleeping on that side.
In up to 90% of babies with congenital muscular torticollis, plagiocephaly, which is the flattening of one side of the baby’s skull, can be observed.
Treatment
Observation and adequate physical therapy, which may or may not require bracing, is usually sufficient in most cases of congenital muscular torticollis, especially if it is introduced within the first year of baby’s life. Stretching exercises including turning the neck from one side to another and slowly tilting the baby’s head to position the ear on the normal side are perfomed many times a day.
Image Credit: lullia Stepashova / Shutterstock.com
Botulinum toxin-A, which is commonly known as Botox, has recently been demonstrated as an effective intermediate treatment approach for more recalcitrant cases of congenital muscular torticollis. The sternocleidomastoid muscle lengthening often improves the range of motion, but not necessarily the facial asymmetry, plagiocephaly, or cranial molding.
Other types of torticollis in infants
Benign paroxysmal torticollis represents a rare functional disorder in infants and is characterized by recurrent episodes of torticollis in healthy children. It usually occurs within the first three months of life with an unknown prevalence. Fortunately, the benign nature of the disorder means that no treatment is necessary and the prognosis is excellent. While this may be true, more serious conditions have to be excluded in the differential diagnosis.
Even though it can be seen in babies after four months of age, ocular torticollis usually manifests later than congenital muscular torticollis, according to the binocular-vision-development period. Common causes of ocular torticollis include congenital nystagmus and congenital paralytic squint.
Sandifer’s syndrome represents a rare pediatric condition that involves dystonic and abnormal movements of the neck, head, trunk, and upper extremities, and is often associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Although the precise pathophysiology is unknown, dystonic movements and abnormal posture of both the head and neck are thought to arise as a response to the pain associated with gastroesophageal reflux.
Some examples of neural axis abnormalities that can be associated with torticollis include Arnold-Chiardi syndrome and syringomyelia. Torticollis can be an early finding in both of these conditions or can be a presenting sign of cervical spine infection (osteomyelitis) and/or a tumor, such as pilocytic astrocytoma or extradural neuroblastoma.
References
Further Reading