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Epiblepharon-induced head tilt masquerading as torticollis
Benjamin P Erickson1, Wendy W Lee
1Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|January 9, 2015
Summary
Head tilting in infants can be caused by eye irritation from epiblepharon, not just torticollis. Surgical correction of epiblepharon resolved the infant's symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Strabismus
Background:
- Torticollis is a common condition in infants, often diagnosed based on head posture.
- Ocular conditions can sometimes present with symptoms mimicking musculoskeletal abnormalities.
Observation:
- A 10-month-old infant presented with a 5-month history of leftward head tilt and rightward chin rotation.
- Examination revealed epiblepharon causing greater ciliary-corneal contact in the left eye (OS).
Findings:
- The infant's head posture was hypothesized to be a compensatory mechanism to reduce ocular irritation.
- Symptoms resolved immediately after the Hotz-Celsus surgical procedure for epiblepharon.
Implications:
- This case highlights epiblepharon as a potential, previously unreported cause of acquired torticollis-like head posture in infants.
- Ophthalmological evaluation should be considered in infants presenting with apparent torticollis to rule out ocular causes.
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