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Torticollis - Torticollis symptom, treatment, causes

Torticollis is due to the Twisting of the neck so that the head is turned and tilted towards one side. Congenital torticollis may be due to injury to the muscles or bones of the neck during birth. Torticollis (also called wry neck) may result from contraction of dense scar tissue that forms after injuries of or severe burns on the neck. Such cases ;re usually treated by plastic surgery to elongate affected tissues, Spasmodic torticollis is an uncommon disorder resulting from prolonged or intermittent painful spasm of groups of muscles in the neck. The cause is unknown. Onset may be sudden or gradual and can occur at any age, but most often begins in adults between '20 and 5°. Spasmodic torticollis ranges from mild to severe. and although some cases recover spontaneously within 5 years, the disorder may persist for life and lead to deformity and restricted movement of the neck. Treatment is by muscle relaxants, pain relief. physiotherapy and occasionally surgery. Recently there have been reports of successful treatment by injection of affected muscles with special preparations of botulinum toxin.

Torticollis (wry neck) is a congenital or acquired condition of limited neck motion in which the child will hold the head to one side with the chin pointing to the opposite side. Disorders that can cause torticollis include congenital muscular torticollis, acquired torticollis, atlanto-axial rotary subluxation, and spasmus nutans (head tilt, nystagmus and head nodding). The cause is unclear and appears to be higher in patients who are in breech presentation at birth. The mass is tumor-like and has been called a pseudotumor, although there is nothing to suggest it is anything but scarring of the muscle. In most infants the mass is noted between two and eight weeks of age. A firm lump is felt and the position of the face may be turned away from the mass and tilted upward. Extensive x-ray studies are generally not needed, although ultrasonography will demonstrate the mass and the diagnosis without subjecting the child to unneeded radiation. Torticollis or a solid neck mass in an older child demands careful evaluation and more tests for a tumor or other neck spine abnormalities.

Torticollis (from the Latin, tortus meaning "Twisted" and Collum meaning "Neck") refers to presentation of the neck in a twisted or bent position due to non-symmetry of neck muscles leading to involuntary contractions of the neck muscle. It can have many different cause. By far the most common cause in young children is muscular torticollis. Here, the neck-strap muscle is injured, either before birth , during birth, or afterward. Bleeding into the muscle may cause a hematoma to form. The muscle may contract over time as the hematoma heals, pulling the head to one side. The list of other possible causes is quite long, including GE reflux , arthritis , scoliosis , and congenital malformations.

Causes of Torticollis

The common Causes of Torticollis :

• Head or neck injury .
• Inner ear or eye problems.
• Arthritis of the neck.
• Genetic defect.
• Infant's position during pregnancy or delivery .
• Tumors of the head or neck.
• Damage or malfunction of the nervous system, specifically the basal ganglia, which is a deep brain structure.
• Gastroesophageal reflux in infants (passage of acid from the stomach into the throat).

Symptoms of Torticollis

Some common Symptoms of Torticollis :

• Headache.
• Stiffness of neck muscles.
• Neck pain.
• Limited range of motion.
• Elevation of the shoulder on the affected side.
• Head tremor.
• A wkward position of the chin.
• Inability to turn the head, usually holding it twisted to one side.
• Asymmetry of an infant's head from sleeping on the affected side.

Treatment of Torticollis

• Gentle stretching exercise program (to help relieve the tension and lengthen the sternocleidomastoid muscle).
• Cervical collar.
• Surgery (to correct the shortened muscle).
• Physical therapy.
• Infant stimulation (to help the infant learn to move and stretch the muscle).
• Ultrasound therapy.
• Heat therapy.