Torticollis

FACTS

  • involuntary twisting of neck, tilting of the head
  • congenital or acquired. In children, the most common cause of acquired torticollis is inflammation of the sternocleidomastoid or trapezius muscles, which may be due to trauma or viral myositis.
Infection is the next most common etiology, with retropharyngeal abscess representing a life-threatening cause.
 
Cervical fracture or subluxation can cause torticollis, but these injuries are uncommon in young childre

HPI

trauma
viral illness (viral myositis)
infection (RPA sx)
rarely: EDH or posterior fossa tumor causing compression of CN 11 (accessorry nerve)
 

PHYSICAL EXAM

complete spine exam
  • lower cranial nerves

IMAGING

 
A/P
  • Reassurance
  • CTH to r/o EDH/posterior fossa tumor