Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Neurological Disorders > Movement Disorders > Torticollis
Torticollis, or wry neck, is a condition in which the head is tilted toward one side, and the chin is elevated and turned toward the opposite side.
Torticollis can be congenital or acquired. The etiology of congenital torticollis is unclear, but it is thought that birth trauma causes damage to the sternocleidomastoid muscle in the neck, which heals at a shorter length and causes the characteristic head position. Sometimes a mass in the affected muscle may be noted, which is usually a contracted region of muscle and may include fibrosis (scar tissue). Such a mass may enlarge during the first month after birth. But with treatment, it is likely to disappear within the first 5 to 8 months of life.
If the condition is detected early in life (before one year of age) it is treated with physical therapy and stretching to correct the tightness. The use of a TOT Collar can also be very effective. This treatment is usually all that is necessary to fix the problem. Particularly difficult cases may require surgical lengthening of the muscle if stretching fails. Also, if the condition does not respond well to stretching, other causes such as tumors, infections, ophthalmologic problems and other abnormalities should be ruled out with further testing. If torticollis is not corrected before one year of age, facial asymmetry can develop and may become impossible to correct.
More on [ Torticollis ]
Dystonia :: Movement Disorders
Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Share Genetic Roots
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:45:00 -0400
A trio of genome-wide studies -- collectively the largest to date -- have pinpointed a vast array of genetic variation that cumulatively may account for at least one third of the genetic risk for schizophrenia. One of the studies traced schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, in part, to the same chromosomal neighborhoods.
Imaging Technique Allows Researchers to Monitor Protein Changes in Mouse Tumors
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:05:00 -0400
A new imaging technique can monitor, in living mice, the HER2 protein found in above-normal amounts in many cases of breast cancer as well as some ovarian, prostate and lung cancers. This new approach, once validated in mice and pending further experiments, could provide a real-time noninvasive method for identifying tumors in humans who express HER2 and who would be candidates for targeted therapy directed against this protein. It may also provide real-time information that will help clinicians optimize treatment for individual patients. The study, published in the July 2009 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, was conducted by researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, both parts of the National Institutes of Health.
Dynasty: Influenza Virus in 1918 and Today
Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:10:00 -0400
The influenza virus that wreaked worldwide havoc in 1918-1919 founded a viral dynasty that persists to this day, according to scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. In an article published online on June 29 by the New England Journal of Medicine, authors Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Jeffery K. Taubenberger, M.D., Ph.D., and David M. Morens, M.D., argue that we have lived in an influenza pandemic era since 1918, and they describe how the novel 2009 H1N1 virus now circling the globe is yet another manifestation of this enduring viral family.
CNN.com - Health
Police: Hospital worker swiped shots, spread hep C
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:18:42 -0400
A former hospital employee may have exposed hundreds or thousands of surgical patients to hepatitis C when she replaced clean needles filled with the powerful painkiller fentanyl with her own dirty needles filled with saline solution.
Health.com picks top beach, lake getaways
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:47:40 -0400
We know your summer vacation time is precious: You want to land where you can truly relax, breathe fresh air, get in some exercise and eat well -- without breaking the bank. That's why we teamed up with a panel of travel and health experts to help us find the healthiest of the nation's most popular beach and lake towns.
Acute Torticollis, A New Approach to Treatment - Article written by Shahriar Karimi, DC.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - Explains how it develops and provides signs, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
500
BrainChat.org - Neurology chatrooms sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital.
DMRF: Forms of Dystonia: Cervical Dystonia - Includes treatment options and information.
Donders' Law in Torticollis - Abstract of an article that appeared in the Journal of Neurophysiology, Nijmegen Institute for Cognition and Information.
eMedicinehealth - Torticollis - Thorough article.
Meta Description: [ Torticollis is one of a broader category of disorders that exhibit flexion, extension, or twisting of muscles of the neck beyond their normal position. In torticollis your neck tends to ... ]
ibabydoc.com - Lists definition, symptoms, causes, contagion, diagnosis, treatment, outcome, discussion and one doctor's opinion.
Meta Description: [ Torticollis or wryneck is a shortening or contracture of a muscle in the neck called the sternocleidomastoid muscle, causing the head to tilt toward the effected side. ]
Macquarie Chiropractic Clinic - Contains several abstracts of articles written on chiropractic care for torticollis.
Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia - Provides illustrations, alternative names, defiinition, causes and risks, prevention, symptoms, signs and tests, treatment, prognosis and complications.
National Infant Torticollis Association - Describes different causes of torticollis in infants. Also provides definitions of medical terms and the personal story of three children.
Meta Description: [ Provides information on infant torticollis causes, diagnosis,
and treatment. Also contains a directory of medical providers and the personal stories of several
children. ]
Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum - Medical forum for patients hosted by Med Help International.
Meta Description: [ Interactive medical question and answer format about all neurological diseases and conditions. Patient question is replied to by online doctors from The Cleveland Clinic. Extensive library and archive of articles on neurology, neurosurgery. ]
Orthoseek: Congenital Muscular Torticollis - Details of the condition with pictures of stretches.
Pediatric Oncall - Find detailed information about torticollis, a rotational deformity of the neck, which may be seen at birth or may develop later.
Meta Description: [ TORTICOLLIS PEIATRIC ONCALL ]
Selective Peripheral Denervation - Case study of 133 patients (65 men, 68 women) who were operated on.
Soft Tissue - Congenital Muscular Torticollis - A review of medical literature by Warren Hammer, MS, DC, DABCO.
Spasmodic Torticollis Recovery Clinic, Inc - Teaches symptomatic relief based on exercise, self-massage, and nutrition. Includes overview of the program, testimonials, and fee schedule. Located in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Meta Description: [ Natural, non-medical, risk free recovery clinic, since 1986. ]
SpasmodicTorticollis.org - Non-profit organization that provides information and support to members.
Texas Pediatric Surgical Associates - Pictures of stretches and definition.
The Family Village - Spasmodic Torticollis - Sections include contact information, message board and web site links.
The Merck Manual, Sec. 5, Ch. 59 - Prevalance and etiology, symptoms, signs, course, diagnosis and prognosis.
The National Spasmodic Torticollis Association - Californian non-profit organization, providing support, referrals and information for patients and family members.
Torticollis - Offers definition, diagnosis, theory and statistics.
Torticollis Caused by Intervertebral Disc Calcification - Clinical case presentation by Tobenna Okezie, MD and S. Jay Kumar, MD.
Torticollis, Keep Hoping - The site describes personal experiences and offers background information.
Meta Description: [ Torticollis has a bad prognosis but I think you can do something about it. Torticollis kent niet zo'n goede prognose maar ik denk dat er iets aan te doen is. ]
UCLA Neurosurgery - Definition, causes and treatments are discussed.
Meta Description: [ UCLA Division of Neurosurgery web site provides information on patient care,
research, and education for neurosurgical diseases: Adult Hydrocephalus;
Brain Injury; Neurocritical Care; Brain Tumors (Benign, Skull Base,
Malignant, Metastatic, Pituitary, Neuroendocrine); Cerebrovascular;
Str... ]
University of Chicago - Etiology of 10 different causes, evaluating a patient and references.
West Penn Allegheny Health System - Resources for diagnosis and treatment.
Meta Description: [ Resources at West Penn Allegheny Health System for diagnosis and treatment of torticollis and spasmodic torticollis ]
