[An asymmetrical face due to torticollis in two young children].
In 2 girls, 4 years and 8 months of age, respectively, torticollis had been diagnosed a few weeks after birth. Kinesiotherapy, given for a period of 1 year and 6 months, respectively, had little effect. Both girls were then referred to the Orthopaedic Outpatient Clinic where a shortened sternocleidomastoid muscle and an asymmetrical face were diagnosed. The shortened muscle was cleaved surgically. Over half a year later, the face of the older child was still asymmetrical but that of the younger child symmetric. It is recommended that children with torticollis due to a shortened sternocleidomastoid muscle first be given stretch exercises under the guidance of a physiotherapist. If the result at the age of 1 year is unsatisfactory, an orthopaedic surgeon can then cleave the muscle.
Holla
M
M
Universitair Medisch Centrum St Radboud, afd. Orthopedische Chirurgie, Postbus 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen.
de Visser
E
E
Gardeniers
J W M
JW
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005146:Facial Asymmetry / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000601:surgery*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D014103:Torticollis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome