Facial scoliosis from sternocleidomastoid torticollis: Long-term postoperative evaluation

Posterior-only approach cervical hemivertebrectomy and short fusion with pedicle screws in young children with cervical scoliosis: case report and technical note

PURPOSE

Cervical hemivertebrae (C3-6) causing significant osseous torticollis, head tilt and facial asymmetry are rare and complicated. Cervical hemivertebrectomy (CHVE) by a posterior-only approach was never reported because it is highly risky and its efficacy remains controversial. This study is to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary clinical outcomes of posterior-only approach for CHVE and torticollis correction in young children.

METHODS

Four young children aged 5-9 years old with significant torticollis caused by cervical hemivertebrae underwent deformity correction consisting of cervical pedicle screw (CPS) placement with O-arm-based intraoperative navigation, CHVE using ultrasonic bone scalpel and short-segmental posterior instrumentation and fusion. Details of this novel technique were presented. The preliminary short-term clinical and radiographic outcomes were assessed.

RESULTS

On average, the operative time was 312.5 ± 49.9 min, and the surgical blood loss was 375.0 ± 150.0 ml. The structural cervical scoliosis was corrected from 31.5 ± 7.3° to 11.0 ± 4.1°, and the average correction rate was 64.9%. Head tilt was favorably corrected from 11.0 ± 4.2° to 3.5 ± 2.6°. The shoulder balance improved from 6.3 ± 1.3° to 1.5 ± 1.9°. One case with C6 CHVE had convex side radiating nerve root pain but no sign of muscle power weakness. Full recovery was achieved one month after surgery. No other complication occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

CHVE by a posterior-only approach was a feasible alternative option for the treatment of congenital cervical scoliosis. It could resect the CHV effectively and achieve satisfactory torticollis correction without additional anterior access surgery. Successful CPS placement in this child population was essentially important to enable reliable osteotomy closure and firm posterior instrumentation.

Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis: A 2024 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline From the American Physical Therapy Association Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy

BACKGROUND

Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a postural condition evident shortly after birth. The 2013 CMT Clinical Practice Guideline (2013 CMT CPG) set standards for the identification, referral, and physical therapy management of infants with CMT, and its implementation resulted in improved clinical outcomes. It was updated in 2018 to reflect current evidence and 7 resources were developed to support implementation. Purpose: This 2024 CMT CPG is intended as a reference document to guide physical therapists, families, health care professionals, educators, and researchers to improve clinical outcomes and health services for children with CMT, as well as to inform the need for continued research. Results/Conclusions: The 2024 CMT CPG addresses: education for prevention, screening, examination and evaluation including recommended outcome measures, consultation with and referral to other health care providers, classification and prognosis, first-choice and evidence-informed supplemental interventions, discontinuation from direct intervention, reassessment and discharge, implementation and compliance recommendations, and research recommendations.

Physical Therapy Management of Congenital Muscular Torticollis: A 2018 Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline From the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy

BACKGROUND

Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is a postural deformity evident shortly after birth, typically characterized by lateral flexion/side bending of the head to one side and cervical rotation/head turning to the opposite side due to unilateral shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle; it may be accompanied by other neurological or musculoskeletal conditions. Infants with CMT should be referred to physical therapists to treat these postural asymmetries as soon as they are identified.

PURPOSE

This update of the 2013 CMT clinical practice guideline (CPG) informs clinicians and families as to whom to monitor, treat, and/or refer and when and what to treat. It links 17 action statements with explicit levels of critically appraised evidence and expert opinion with recommendations on implementation of the CMT CPG into practice.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS

The CPG addresses the following: education for prevention; referral; screening; examination and evaluation; prognosis; first-choice and supplemental interventions; consultation; discontinuation from direct intervention; reassessment and discharge; implementation and compliance audits; and research recommendations. Flow sheets for referral paths and classification of CMT severity have been updated.

Change of Facial Asymmetry in Patients With Congenital Muscular Torticollis After Surgical Release

BACKGROUND

A number of studies have shown that facial asymmetry improves in congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) patients after surgical release. This study confirmed the improvement in facial asymmetry, and analyzed factors that affect the change of facial asymmetry in CMT patients after surgical release by using objective and quantitative methods.

METHODS

Facial asymmetry was analyzed in 60 CMT patients who underwent surgical release before 10 years of age. Horizontal and lower facial asymmetry angles (HFAA and LFAA) in the clinical photograph were used to measure facial asymmetry. Postoperative improvements in HFAA and LFAA were evaluated in each age group, after grouping the patients by age. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the postoperative head tilt and functional deficit. Postoperative improvements in HFAA and LFAA were compared between 2 groups. The relationships between postoperative improvements in HFAA and LFAA and independent variables (age, follow-up period, preoperative HFAA or LFAA, postoperative head tilt, and postoperative functional deficit) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Mean age at operation was 34.8 months (range, 6-120 mo). Horizontal facial asymmetry angle was improved significantly postoperatively in groups <5 years of age. Lower facial asymmetry angle was improved significantly postoperatively in all age groups. No significant difference was found in the postoperative improvements in HFAA and LFAA between 2 groups according to the postoperative head tilt and functional deficit. In the correlation analysis, postoperative improvements in HFAA and LFAA were proportional to the follow-up period (r = 0.256, P = 0.048) and preoperative HFAA or LFAA (r = 0.600, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Facial asymmetry in CMT patients can be improved in part if surgical release is performed before 10 years of age and the possibility of improvement may be different according to the area of the face. After surgical release, facial asymmetry will improve over a long period of time, and patients with more severe facial asymmetry have a better remodeling potential to achieve facial symmetry.

The fate of facial asymmetry after surgery for "muscular torticollis" in early childhood

Aims and Objectives:

To study wheather the facial features return to normal after surgery for muscular torticollis done in early childhood.

Materials and Methods:

This is a long-term study of the fate of facial asymmetry in four children who have undergone operation for muscular torticollis in early childhood. All the patients presented late, i.e., after the age of 4 years with a scarred sternomastoid and plagiocephaly, so conservative management with physiotherapy was not considered. All the patients had an x-ray of cervical spine and eye and dental checkup before making a diagnosis of muscular torticollis. Preoperative photograph of the patient's face was taken to counsel the parents about the secondary effect of short sternomastoid on facial features and the need for surgery. After division of sternomastoid muscle and release of cervical fascia when indicated, the head was maintained in a hyperextended position supported by sand bags for three days. Gradual physiotherapy was then started followed by wearing of a Minerva collar that the child wore for a maximum period of time in 24 h. Physiotherapy was continued three times a day till the range of movements of the head returned to normal. During the follow-up, serial photographs were taken to note the changes in the facial features.

Results:

In all four patients, the asymmetry of the face got corrected and the facial features returned to normal.

Conclusion:

Most of the deformity of facial asymmetry gets corrected in the first two years after surgery. By adolescence, the face returns to normal.

Effectiveness of Surgical Treatment for Neglected Congenital Muscular Torticollis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Findings on the effectiveness of surgical release for neglected congenital muscular torticollis have been conflicting. This systematic review aims to examine the literature describing the effectiveness of surgery for neglected congenital muscular torticollis.

METHODS

The authors conducted a systematic review to examine the effectiveness of surgical treatment for neglected congenital muscular torticollis by means of meta-analysis. The authors searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, and KoreaMed for all articles published before May of 2014. Studies with quantitative data describing the effectiveness of surgery for congenital muscular torticollis were included. The primary outcomes after surgery were (1) clinical outcome measured by scoring systems; (2) change in range of motion of the neck; and (3) change in skeletal deformities, measured by Cobb angle and the cervicomandibular angle. Effect estimates were pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included in the review (published between 1976 and 2014), including a total of 220 patients with neglected congenital muscular torticollis. All studies used an interrupted time-series design. Surgical treatment was successful in 81 percent of cases, based on the scoring systems for surgical outcome. Outcomes of surgery performed in patients older than 15 years did not differ significantly from those of surgery performed in patients aged 15 years or younger. The range of motion of the neck and skeletal deformities showed significant improvement after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical treatment for neglected congenital muscular torticollis produced satisfactorily successful results, with improvement in both the range of motion of the neck and secondary skeletal deformities.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, IV.

Is craniofacial asymmetry progressive in untreated congenital muscular torticollis?

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.

CLINICAL QUESTION /LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Risk, III.

Physical therapy management of congenital muscular torticollis: an evidence-based clinical practice guideline: from the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association

BACKGROUND

Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is an idiopathic postural deformity evident shortly after birth, typically characterized by lateral flexion of the head to one side and cervical rotation to the opposite side due to unilateral shortening of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. CMT may be accompanied by other neurological or musculoskeletal conditions.

KEY POINTS

Infants with CMT are frequently referred to physical therapists (PTs) to treat their asymmetries. This evidence-based clinical practice guideline (CPG) provides guidance on which infants should be monitored, treated, and/or referred, and when and what PTs should treat. Based upon critical appraisal of literature and expert opinion, 16 action statements for screening, examination, intervention, and follow-up are linked with explicit levels of evidence. The CPG addresses referral, screening, examination and evaluation, prognosis, first-choice and supplemental interventions, consultation, discharge, follow-up, suggestions for implementation and compliance audits, flow sheets for referral paths and classification of CMT severity, and research recommendations.

Differential diagnosis of the idiopathic laterally deviated mandible

SUMMARY

Among patients who present for an orthognathic evaluation, a common finding is the presence of a laterally deviated mandible. At times, there is a cause to which the lower face asymmetry can be attributed, such as personal history of trauma to the face, presence of congenital disease known to affect the mandible, or other developmental abnormalities. More commonly, however, the patient is underdiagnosed and the cause of the idiopathic, laterally deviated mandible may be perplexing. The authors review the common causes of lateral deviation of the mandible and discuss how the growth of the mandible is affected and how the correct diagnosis may be ascertained. Among the common diagnoses, there are two major categories of mandibular asymmetry: (1) altered cranial base (e.g., muscular torticollis, unilateral craniosynostosis, and deformational plagiocephaly) and (2) condylar abnormality (e.g., condylar fractures, condylar hyperplasia, juvenile condylar arthritis, and hemifacial microsomia). Proper diagnosis and subsequent treatment of the underlying abnormality of the deviated mandible ensure the patient of the appropriate orthognathic reconstruction and decrease the likelihood of skeletal relapse after surgery.

Avaliação estética e funcional do tratamento cirúrgico do torcicolo congênito com a técnica de liberação distal do músculo esternocleidomastoideo

OBJETIVO: realizar uma avaliação estética e funcional do tratamento cirúrgico do torcicolo congênito por meio da técnica de liberação distal do músculo esternocleidomastoideo. MÉTODOS: foi realizada análise cirúrgica retrospectiva em 21 pacientes portadores de torcicolo congênito submetidos à liberação distal da contratura do músculo esternocleidomastoideo no período de Setembro de 1986 a Setembro de 2003 no Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo, avaliados pelo protocolo de Cheng e Tang. RESULTADOS: a média do tempo de seguimento foi de 55 meses (variando de 6 meses a 17 anos). Este estudo revelou que 20 pacientes (95%) apresentaram um resultado estético-funcional bom ou excelente com poucas complicações inerentes ao procedimento. CONCLUSÕES: na presente casuística, observou-se um resultado estético-funcional satisfatório no tratamento cirúrgico do torcicolo muscular congênito.