title: Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of infantile torticollis.
abstract: This retrospective study assessed the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 58 infants with infantile torticollis. Eighteen patients had nonmuscular causes of torticollis (group 1); MRI identified lesions in 16 patients. Of 40 patients with a diagnosis of congenital muscular torticollis (group 2), 28 had a normal MRI. Five patients had asymmetry of the sternocleidomastoid without noticeable signal changes. Seven patients showd evidence of fibromatosis colli. Asymmetry of the posterolateral skull consistent with plagiocephaly was common. Magnetic resonance imaging did not alter treatment of group 2. Findings of compartment syndrome of sternocleidomastoid were inconsistent. Magnetic resonance imaging is not recommended for asymptomatic patients with infantile torticollis.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.
authors.forename: Shital N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.forename: Alvin H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choudhury
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014103:Torticollis / Q000473:pathology*