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Spasmodic neuralgia

Condition Overview:

Torticollis is one of a class of "movement disorders" sometimes called "dystonias."  Torticollis and Spasmodic Torticollis cause persistent or rhythmic  tilting or twisting of the head and neck in infants, adolescents, and some adults.  In infants, the condition may be associated with abnormal head shape due to plagiocephaly or craniosynostosis (premature fusion of one or more of the natural cranial joins of the infant skull). Spasmodic torticollis may also result from compression of the 11th cranial nerve by a tumor or blood vessels within the skull. 

"Congenital muscular torticollis (wry neck) results from shortening of the  sternocleidomastoid muscle and may lead to limitation of neck movement and  craniofacial deformity. If conservative treatment is started early, with a regimen of passive stretching exercises and active strengthening of the contralateral muscle, about 95% of patients achieve an acceptable range of neck movement. Surgical
management of patients who do not respond to physiotherapy remains controversial." 

Other structural problems of the cervical spine and neck muscles may also be involved. "The most dangerous cause of non-muscular acquired torticollis is related to neurologic syndromes, such as syringomyelia, dystonic or post-encephalitic syndromes, herniated cervical discs, and, especially, posterior fossa pathology."

Torticollis is one of a class of "movement disorders" sometimes called "dystonias."  Torticollis and Spasmodic Torticollis cause persistent or rhythmic  tilting or twisting of the head and neck in infants, adolescents, and some adults.  In infants, the condition may be associated with abnormal head shape due to plagiocephaly or craniosynostosis (premature fusion of one or more of the natural cranial joins of the infant skull). Spasmodic torticollis may also result from compression of the 11th cranial nerve by a tumor or blood vessels within the skull. 

"Congenital muscular torticollis (wry neck) results from shortening of the  sternocleidomastoid muscle and may lead to limitation of neck movement and  craniofacial deformity. If conservative treatment is started early, with a regimen of passive stretching exercises and active strengthening of the contralateral muscle, about 95% of patients achieve an acceptable range of neck movement. Surgical
management of patients who do not respond to physiotherapy remains controversial."

Other structural problems of the cervical spine and neck muscles may also be involved. "The most dangerous cause of non-muscular acquired torticollis is related to neurologic syndromes, such as syringomyelia, dystonic or post-encephalitic syndromes, herniated cervical discs, and, especially, posterior fossa pathology."