title: Is craniofacial asymmetry progressive in untreated congenital muscular torticollis?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although craniofacial asymmetry is frequently involved in patients with congenital muscular torticollis, it has not been evaluated appropriately. The authors analyzed preoperative craniofacial asymmetry objectively and confirmed the relationship between craniofacial asymmetry and aging in congenital muscular torticollis patients who underwent surgical release.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors retrospectively measured preoperative craniofacial asymmetry using the Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index and intercommissural angle and reviewed preoperative rotational and flexional deficit of neck movement for 123 congenital muscular torticollis patients who underwent surgical release at Ajou Medical Center from February of 2007 to February of 2011. The relationships among Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index, intercommissural angle, rotational deficit, flexional deficit, and age were analyzed. Mean values of dependent variables were compared after patients were grouped by age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age at operation was 82.5 months (range, 5 to 498 months). Seventy-one percent (n=87) of patients had a significant cranial asymmetry and 87 percent (n=107) had a significant facial asymmetry. In correlation analysis, intercommissural angle increased proportional to age (r=0.334, p=0.000), especially before 3 years (r=0.42, p=0.001). Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index was unrelated to age or rotational or flexional deficit. Rotational deficit decreased proportional to age (r=-0.229, p=0.032). By analysis of variance test, intercommissural angle and rotational deficit between the age groups were statistically significantly different (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In congenital muscular torticollis, facial asymmetry is progressive if the contracted sternocleidomastoid muscle is not released, although cranial asymmetry is already determined in those younger than 6 months. Early correction of torticollis should be considered to prevent progression of facial asymmetry in congenital muscular torticollis patients.
  Risk, III.
authors.affiliation: Suwon, Republic of Korea From the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ajou University School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Seung Jo
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Shin-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Yim
authors.forename: Il Jae
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dae Hee
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Chee Sun
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyoseob
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Myong Chul
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019465:Craniofacial Abnormalities / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014103:Torticollis / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome