Ultrasonographic Findings in Torticollis

Kim, Hyeon Sook

Abstract

The clinical findings and the ultrasonographic appearance of the sternocleidomastoid muscles of 40 children with torticollis were studied to evaluate the correlation between the clinical findings and the ultrasonographic findings and to know whether the ultrasonographic findings could be the prognostic factors of the treatment outcome. This is preliminary study to find out the ultrasonographic findings of congenital muscular torticollis. In physical examination, we checked range of motion of neck, facial asymmetry and plagiocephaly. Ultrasonsography was done in a week after the first visit and in ultrasonography, the echogenicity, echotexture, margin, size and shape of the mass were evaluated. Of 40 children, 29 children were due to congenital muscular toricollis, 9 children were due to posture(postural torticollis), and 2 children were due to strabismus. Of 29 congential muscular torticollis patients, 25 children showed fibromatosis colli(nodular form in 11 children, fusiforin in 14 children) and 4 children showed only asymmetric thickness of sternocleidemastoid muscle. The relationship of the clinical findings and ultrasonographic findings were evaluated. The margin in ultrasonography and the range of motion of the neck had significant correlation(P<0.05) but the other clinical findings and other parameters of ultrasonography did not have significant correlation. In conclusion, ultrasonography is simple method to evaluate the patients with torticollis and some of the ultrasonographic parameters have some correlation with clinical features of torticollis. To be used as a prognostic factor, further study would be necessary.