Imaging of torticollis in children

Torticollis is a congenital or acquired deformity characterized by rotational deformity of the cervical spine with secondary tilting of the head. Although torticollis is a sign of an underlying disease process, its presence does not imply a specific diagnosis, and the cause should be sought if torticollis persists or is associated with other symptoms. Congenital torticollis, seen in neonates and infants, usually results from craniocervical vertebral anomalies or muscular causes, although ocular abnormalities such as congenital paralytic squint (strabismus) and congenital nystagmus should also be considered. Acquired torticollis, seen in older children and adolescents, is often secondary to trauma, infection, or tumors. Imaging should be used as a general screening tool only after a complete medical history and clinical findings have been obtained. In newborns or infants with congenital torticollis, ultrasonography is the modality of choice. In cases of acquired torticollis resulting from trauma, conventional radiography (lateral and anteroposterior views) should be the first-line imaging modality. In nontraumatic acquired torticollis, computed tomography of the neck or cervical spine is the initial imaging study. If computed tomography findings are negative, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and cervical spine should be performed. The use of multiple imaging modalities (conventional radiography, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging) is common in the radiologic work-up of torticollis, and radiologists must understand the role of each imaging modality in patients of various ages.