title: Sternocleidomastoid pseudotumor of infancy: a report of thirteen cases.
abstract: Stemocleidomastoid tumor of infancy (SCMTI) is a rare cause of benign neck masses in neonates and infants. It has to be differentiated from other congenital space-occupying lesions in the cervical region.
  
  
  METHODS
  The files of 13 infants with a mean age of 6 weeks, presenting with a lateral neck mass at Sahloul University Hospital in Sousse (Tunisia) between 2007 and 2009 were retrospectively studied. All of them underwent physical and ultrasonographic examination. MRI was performed in only one case.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ultrasonography (US) showed a soft tissue mass of sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCMM), or a homogenously enlarged muscle without any focal mass. MRI revealed a fusiform enlarged muscle. Diagnosis of SCMTI was established in all cases. Conservative treatment was recommended in all cases with physiotherapy in 2 cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US is the best imaging modality for the diagnosis of SCMTI and the first one to be performed. Additional diagnostic imaging modalities are unnecessary in most of the cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Sahloul Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia. ibtissemhasni@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: I Hasni
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Bouraoui
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arifa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaha
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kermani
authors.forename: K Mrad
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Dali
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jemni
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hmouda
authors.forename: K Tlili
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Graiess
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography