Related Experiment Videos
Fibromatosis colli of infancy: variability of sonographic appearance
D G Bedi1, S D John, L E Swischuk
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
Insights
Fibromatosis colli, a sternocleidomastoid muscle enlargement in infants, shows varied ultrasound appearances. Diagnosis is confirmed by intramuscular location and normal adjacent tissues, with clinical improvement noted.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
Background:
- Fibromatosis colli is a benign condition affecting the sternocleidomastoid muscle in infants.
- It typically presents as a neck mass or torticollis within the first few months of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the diverse sonographic features of fibromatosis colli.
- To correlate imaging findings with clinical presentation and follow-up.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of sonograms and medical records of 12 infants with sternocleidomastoid masses or torticollis.
- Analysis of sonographic features including mass presence, muscle enlargement, and echogenicity.
Main Results:
- Sonographic findings varied, including isolated masses, combined mass and muscle enlargement, or isolated muscle enlargement.
- Masses were typically hyperechoic, while associated muscle enlargement was often hypoechoic or mixed echogenicity.
- Unusual variations were observed, such as longitudinally split masses and striated muscle patterns.
Conclusions:
- Fibromatosis colli exhibits variable sonographic appearances, commonly a hyperechoic mass or mixed echogenicity muscle enlargement.
- Accurate diagnosis relies on identifying an intramuscular abnormality with normal surrounding soft tissues.
- Clinical improvement was observed in most patients during follow-up.
Purpose:
We describe the variable sonographic appearances of fibromatosis colli, a disease that presents as a mass-like enlargement of the sternocleidomastoid muscle during the first 8 weeks of life.
Methods:
Sonograms and records of 12 infants who presented with a sternocleidomastoid mass or torticollis before they were 12 weeks old were retrospectively reviewed for sonographic features (presence of a mass, diffuse muscle enlargement, and echogenicity), medical history, and follow-up data.
Results:
Sonographically, 6 infants had only a mass in the sternocleidomastoid muscle, 2 had a mass with fusiform muscle enlargement, and 4 had only muscle enlargement. Five masses were hyperechoic, and 1 mass was of mixed echogenicity. The 2 masses associated with muscle enlargement were hypoechoic. Three cases of diffuse muscle enlargement were of mixed echogenicity, and 1 was hypoechoic. Unusual variations included (1) a mass split longitudinally into 2 components and (2) a diffusely enlarged muscle with a striated pattern of mixed echogenicity. Follow-up in 10 patients at 4 months and in 7 patients at 6 months showed clinical improvement.
Conclusion:
Fibromatosis colli usually appears sonographically as a hyperechoic mass or diffuse sternocleidomastoid enlargement of mixed echogenicity. Variations in its appearance should not prevent the correct diagnosis as long as the abnormality is intramuscular and adjacent soft tissues are normal.