Botulinum toxin type a in the treatment of children with congenital muscular torticollis.

Abstract

This is a retrospective case series describing the use of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of children with congenital muscular torticollis who fail to progress with conservative management. A total of 27 children with congenital muscular torticollis, 6-18 mos of age, received 30 botulinum toxin type A injections into their sternocleidomastoid or upper trapezius muscle, or both, at a pediatric tertiary care center between 1995 and 2001. Three children received repeat injections. Twenty of 27 children (74%) had improved cervical rotation or head tilt after the injections, and 2 of 27 (7%) experienced transient adverse events, specifically, mild dysphagia and neck weakness. This series suggests that botulinum toxin type A may be a safe and effective treatment option for children with congenital muscular torticollis who are unresponsive to a traditional regimen of physical therapy and a home program. A prospective, randomized controlled trial is necessary to definitively assess the role of botulinum toxin type A in this population.

• Authors: Joyce L Oleszek, Nicki Chang, Susan D Apkon, Pamela E Wilson
• Journal: American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation (Am J Phys Med Rehabil) Vol. 84 Issue 10 Pg. 813-6 (Oct 2005) ISSN: 0894-9115 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16205437 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Botulinum Toxins, Type A

Topics

• Botulinum Toxins, Type A (therapeutic use)
• Child, Preschool
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Infant
• Injections, Intramuscular
• Male
• Recovery of Function
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Assessment
• Severity of Illness Index
• Torticollis (congenital, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome