The sternocleidomastoid tumors of infancy.

Patients and methods. - The files of 12 children presenting with a sternocl eidomastoid tumor of infancy at the Timone Children's Hospital in Marseille between 1990 and 1999 were retrospectively studied All of them underwent p hysical and ultrasonographic examination. Results. - The mass was firm, within the lower two-thirds of the sternoclei domastoid muscle. Ultrasonographic examination showed a soft tissue mass in dependant of the great vessels. Biopsy revealed a benign fibrous lesion. El even children were treated with stretching exercises and a surgical therapy was performed for one in whom physical therapy was unsuccessful. Conclusion. - The sternocleidomastoid tumor of infancy is a lateral neck ma ss affecting children between the ages of two and four weeks. Most of the t ime it spontaneously resolves in four to eight months. It may be associated with congenital muscular torticollis and requires physical therapy. Surger y should be reserved for children who have failed with this treatment. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.