[Diagnosis of fibromatosis colli via color-coded duplex sonography in 13 infants]

Fibromatosis colli is the most common cause of congenital torticollis. Patients show a solid tumor in the region of the sternocleidomastoid muscle which has to be differentiated from other congenital space-occupying lesions in the cervical region.

13 infants (7 boys, 6 girls) with a mean age of 28 +/- 21 days with fibromatosis colli were examined with a high-resolution linear transducer via color-coded duplex sonography. The location of the tumor within the sternocleidomastoid muscle, delineation from surrounding structures, the echogenicity, and the vascularization were estimated. 3 tumors were surgically removed, and the other 10 infants were treated conservatively with physiotherapy.

The tumors were located on the right side in 10 patients and on the left side in 3 infants. In 10 patients the tumor was located in the caudal part, in 3 in the middle part of muscle. All tumors showed a good delineation from the surrounding structures. The volume of the tumor was 5.4 +/- 2.7 ml. 8 tumors showed inhomogeneous echogenicity, and 5 showed homogenous echogenicity. 9 tumors had echopoor, 3 echogenic, 1 isoechogenic internal echoes compared to the contralateral healthy muscle. 13 tumors showed increased perfusion (10 diffusely, 3 focally) via color-coded Doppler sonography.

Diagnosis of fibromatosis colli can be affirmed sonographically. The tumors are commonly located in the distal 2 / 3 of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and show good delineation from surrounding structures. Typically an inhomogeneous, echopoor tumor with increased perfusion can be shown. Additional diagnostic imaging modalities are usually not necessary. The treatment of choice is physiotherapy. In special cases with a lack of improvement, surgery is necessary.