Value of adding sonoelastography to conventional ultrasound in patients with congenital muscular torticollis

Background: Sonoelastography has been utilized to evaluate various myopathies. However, the benefits of adding sonoelastography to conventional ultrasound (US) in patients with congenital muscular torticollis are unclear. Objective: To evaluate the value of adding sonoelastography to conventional US in patients with congenital muscular torticollis. Materials and methods: This study included 27 infants clinically diagnosed with congenital muscular torticollis and 17 healthy infants who underwent conventional US and sonoelastography. The echogenicity of the sternocleidomastoid muscle was assessed as isoechoic, heterogeneous, hyperechoic or hypoechoic compared with normal muscle. The thickness of the involved and contralateral sternocleidomastoid muscles was measured. Elastographic findings were scored from 1 (soft) to 3 (hard) by two independent radiologists. Results: The sternocleidomastoid muscle thickness, difference and ratio between involved and normal sternocleidomastoid muscle thickness, and elastographic score differed significantly between the patient and control groups. Of the 27 patients, 11 had isoechoic, 5 had heterogeneous and 11 had hyperechoic muscles. Congenital muscular torticollis patients with isoechoic muscle showed significantly higher elastographic scores than the control group, but there were no other significant differences by conventional US. Conclusions: Adding sonoelastography to conventional US is helpful for the diagnosis of congenital muscular torticollis, especially in patients with isoechoic sternocleidomastoid muscle.