Congenital Muscular Torticollis: Study of 30 Cases

Torticollis is a rare condition caused by retraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), most often diagnosed in infants and children. The diagnosis is clinical, with the head and neck assuming an asymmetric spontaneous attitude with a mobility deficiency. Spontaneous evolution is generally reassuring, and it is the fibrous forms that necessitate treatment with home postures and physiotherapy. Surgical treatment is reserved for persistent torticollis after the age of 12 to 18 months. We report a retrospective study of 30 children treated for TMC over a period of 12 years, with ages ranging from 2 to 12 years. All our patients underwent surgical treatment, with a satisfactory overall result; one child was taken back for recurrence. The aim of this study is to analyze the various pathological and therapeutic aspects of this condition.