The Clinical Features and Outcome of Therapy according to the Subtypes of Torticollis / 대한소아신경학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE:We performed this study in order to investigate the clinical features and the therapeutic outcome of infants with torticollis according to the classification; congenital muscular torticollis(CMT), postural torticollis(PT) and, ocular torticollis(OT). METHODS:This study was conducted on 80 infants with torticollis who had been treated from March 2000 to July 2004 in the outpatient clinic of the pediatrics and rehabilitation medicine department of NHIC Ilsan Hospital. All the patients were physically and neurologically examined and took cervical X-rays and ultrasonographies. Based on the results the patients were classified into the subtypes of torticollis. Except OT, the patients underwent conservative treatment programs with physical therapy and home treatment programs. RESULTS:Among the three groups, the time of the first visit to the hospital was the fastest in CMT and the latest in OT. The appearance of facial asymmetry and plagiocephaly didn't show any difference between CMT and PT. The presence of asymmetric neck righting reaction was noted similarly between the two groups. The duration of the treatment was longer in the CMT group than that of the PT group. The outcomes of the treatment in CMT were not different from those of PT. CONCLUSIONS:There are no significant differences of the clinical features and the treatment results between the CMT and the PT groups except the duration of treatment. The ophthalmologic assessment is strongly recommended, if the age of an infant with torticollis is older than one year.