Skip to main content
Log in

Ultrasonography of congenital muscular torticollis

  • Originals
  • Published:
Pediatric Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The sonographic appearance of the sternocleidomastoid muscles of 36 children with congenital muscular torticollis was studied. Sternocleidomastoid tumour was detected in all of them and the images were more complex than described in the literature. A patchy echotexture was as frequent as a homogeneous echo-texture, and was more common in the younger child. The echogenicity of the mass could be hyperechoic, isoechoic or hypoechoic relative to normal muscle. A hypoechoic rim surrounding the mass was frequently present. Change of the proportion of the mass relative to the entire musclemass complex in different ages matching clinical observations was also noted. These sonographic findings would be important in establishing a sonographic diagnosis. The higher sensitivity of ultrasound in detection of sternocleidomastoid tumour over clinical methods, and the importance of the sonographic findings in the management of congenital muscular torticollis were also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Coventry MB, Harris LE (1959) Congenital muscular toricollis. Some observations regarding treatment. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 41: 815–822

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ling CM, Low YS (1972) Sternomastoid tumor and muscular torticollis. Clin Orthop 86: 144–150

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Crawford SC, Harnsberger HR, Johnson L, Aoki R, Giley J (1988) Fibromatosis colli of infancy: CT and sonographic findings. AJR 151; 1183–1184

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Mcqueen WJ, Johnson JT, Edwards PA (1980) Fibromatosis colli: a case report. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 88: 49–51

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Gruhn J, Hurwitt E (1951) Fibrous sternomastoid tumor of infancy. Paediatrics 8: 522–526

    Google Scholar 

  6. Sherman NH, Rosenberg HK, Heyman S, Templeton J (1985) Ultrasound evaluation of neck masses in children. J Ultrasound Med 4: 127–134

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Friedman AP, Haller JO, Goodman JD, Nagar H (1983) Sonographic evaluation of non-inflammatory neck masses in children. Radiology 147: 693–697

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kraus R, Han BK, Babcock DS, Oestreich AE (1985) Sonography of neck masses in children. AJR 146: 609–613

    Google Scholar 

  9. Glasier CM, Seibert JJ, Williamson SL, Corbitt SL, Rodgers AB, Lange TA (1987) High resolution ultrasound characterization of soft tissue masses in children. Pediatr Radiol 17: 233–237

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Morrissy RT (1990) Lovell and Winter's paediatric orthopaedics. Lippincott, Philadelphia, pp 728–730

    Google Scholar 

  11. Middleton DS (1930) The pathology of congenital torticollis. Br J Surg 18: 188–204

    Google Scholar 

  12. Thawley SE, Panje WR, Batsakis JG, Lindberg RD (1987) Comprehensive management of head and neck tumours. Saunders, Philadelphia, p 1249

    Google Scholar 

  13. Chandler FA (1948) Muscular torticollis. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 38: 566–570

    Google Scholar 

  14. MacDonald D (1969) Sternomastoid tumour and muscular torticollis. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 51: 432–443

    Google Scholar 

  15. Lidge RT, Bechtol RC, Lambert CN (1957) Congenital muscular torticollis. Etiology and pathology. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 39: 1165–1182

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Chan, Y.L., Cheng, J.C.Y. & Metreweli, C. Ultrasonography of congenital muscular torticollis. Pediatr Radiol 22, 356–360 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02016256

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02016256

Keywords

Navigation