Congenital Muscular Torticollis & Causes

Congenital muscular torticollis is a condition in which an infant's neck muscle is shortened, causing the neck to twist. Congenital means present at birth and torticollis means twisted neck. The condition is sometimes called wryneck, fibromatosis colli of infancy or pseudotumor of infancy.

What Causes Congenital Muscular Torticollis?

Congenital muscular torticollis may occur following a difficult birth, especially if the infant is very large or is delivered breech. During the delivery, if the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the neck muscle that extends from the jawbone (mastoid) to the clavicle (collarbone) and sternum (breastbone), is stretched or pulled, it may tear, causing bleeding and bruising within the muscle.

The injured muscle develops fibrosis (scar tissue) which causes the muscle to shorten and tighten, pulling the infant's head to one side. The fibrosis forms a mass or lump that sometimes can be felt on the side of the neck.

Occasionally, congenital muscular torticollis occurs because of a defect in the development of the sternocleidomastoid muscle or because of an abnormal fetal position in the uterus.

What Are the Symptoms of Congenital Muscular Torticollis?

Congenital muscular torticollis may be visible at birth, but it usually becomes evident several weeks later. The following are the most common symptoms of congenital muscular torticollis. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

• Tilting of the infant's head to one side
• The infant's chin turns toward the opposite side
• Firm, small, 1–2 centimeter mass in the middle or upper two-thirds of the sternocleidomastoid muscle

The symptoms of congenital muscular torticollis may resemble other neck masses or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.

How is Congenital Muscular Torticollis Diagnosed?

Physical examination of the infant may show the characteristic tilting of the head and tension of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, as well as the presence of a mass in the middle portion of the muscle.

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for congenital muscular torticollis may include the following X-rays and an ultrasound.

X-rays are diagnostic tests that use invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film. They help check for abnormalities in the bones of the neck and shoulders.

Ultrasound examination is a diagnostic imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissue, and organs. Ultrasounds are used to view internal organs as they function, and to assess blood flow through various vessels. We’ll use an ultrasound to evaluate the muscle around the mass.

How to Treat Congenital Muscular Torticollis

If the condition is not corrected, the infant will be unable to move their head properly. Permanent muscle tightening with asymmetry (uneven development) of the neck and face can result.

Specific treatment of congenital muscular torticollis will be determined by your child's physician based on:

• Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
• Extent of the condition
• Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies
• Expectations for the course of the condition
• Your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

• Gentle stretching exercise program (to help relieve the tension and lengthen the sternocleidomastoid muscle)
• Infant stimulation (to help the infant learn to move and stretch the muscle)
• Surgery (to correct the shortened muscle)

The neck mass may enlarge during the first month of life, then gradually get smaller, usually disappearing by age 5 to 8 months.