Syndrome of acute torticollis in children

The syndrome of acute torticollis in the structure of children traumatism is 9%. It occurs in the absence of trauma. The pattern is traced in the seasonal occurance of this pathology depending on the cold season. The lateral tilt of the head predominates over the rotary setup. Meanwhile the rotational movements of the head are observed to remain. The pain and muscle tension are projected in the middle part of the neck and not in the occipital area or in the area of spinous process of neck vertebra. The detection of asymmetry of C2 tooth relative to lateral masses of C1 while examining children without clinical acute pain or torticollis and, conversely, the absence of radiographic changes in patients with a strong clinical picture. The tendency to a spontaneous relief of acute torticollis without treatment is observed over time. The collected data prove the theory of “uncovertebral wedge”. The diagnosis of “rotational subluxation of atlas” is mostly baseless. In our opinion, it is more appropriate to use the term “syndrom acute torticollis” that is in its essence a syndromic diagnosis.