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Sternomastoid tumor of infancy
1Department of Surgery, Albany Medical College, New York 12208.
Insights
Sternomastoid tumor of infancy (SMTI) is a common cause of neck mass in newborns. Conservative management, including massage and stretching, effectively resolves SMTI, torticollis, and facial asymmetry, avoiding the need for biopsy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Neonatology
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Background:
- Sternomastoid tumor of infancy (SMTI) is the most frequent cause of neck masses in newborns.
- It often presents within the first month of life, sometimes associated with birth trauma.
Observation:
- Seven infants with SMTI were studied, with six managed prospectively.
- Clinical diagnosis was established in most cases, with some presenting with torticollis and facial asymmetry.
Findings:
- Conservative treatment, including massage and neck stretching, led to complete resolution in all observed cases.
- Pathologic and radiographic data supported the clinical diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
Implications:
- Clinical assessment is sufficient for diagnosing SMTI, negating the need for invasive biopsy.
- Conservative management is effective for this transient condition, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
Abstract:
Sternomastoid tumor of infancy (SMTI) is the most common cause of neck mass in the perinatal period. We present seven children with this disorder, six studied prospectively. Ages at presentation ranged from 1 week to 4 weeks. Five had a history of birth trauma. Torticollis with facial asymmetry was seen in two. In six the diagnosis of SMTI was made clinically, and these patients were managed conservatively with massage and controlled stretching of the neck. Resolution of the neck mass, the torticollis, and the facial asymmetry occurred in all patients. Pathologic and radiographic findings are presented. We conclude that careful clinical assessment precludes the necessity of biopsy and emphasize the importance of conservative management of this transient problem.