title: Concussion or benign paroxysmal torticollis?
abstract: This case report describes a patient who presented to the trauma service on 3 occasions over the course of 2 years, each time with symptoms typical of concussion (e.g., crying, change in mentation, and vomiting). On more in-depth evaluation, it was discovered that the child had torticollis, pallor, and brief dizziness or vertigo with each episode. Benign paroxysmal torticollis is a periodic, paroxysmal syndrome that may be mistaken for the more common concussion. In addition to illustrating a uniquely pediatric neurological syndrome, this case demonstrates the importance of taking a careful history and considering a full range of differential diagnoses when evaluating every patient, even those with seemingly routine injuries.
authors.affiliation: Benedum Pediatric Trauma Program, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, PA 15237, USA. eareynolds@comcast.net
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D014103:Torticollis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing / Q000473:pathology