LATE PRESENTATION OF CONGENITAL MUSCULAR TORTICOLLIS - A NON-DYSTONICCAUSE OF TORTICOLLIS

We describe three patients with a late presentation of congenital musc ular torticollis to emphazise that this non-dystonic type of torticoll is has to be considered in the differential diagnosis of cervical dyst onia, even in adult patients. Surgery is the treatment of choice. Post operatively, two of our patients had a transient lesion of the accesso ry nerve. We assume that in our patients the accessory nerve was embed ded in the fibrous tissue around the affected muscle. To prevent damag e to the accessory nerve, the incision has to be made distally at abou t 1 cm above the clavicle.