- Cervical spine segmentation anomaly
- Fibromatosis colli
- Trauma
- Retropharyngeal abscess
- Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Posterior fossa tumor or spinal cord tumor
Approach to the DDX of torticollis:
- If congenital: investigate first with neck ultrasound looking for fibromatosis colli and if this is unremarkable investigate second with cervical spine radiographs looking for a cervical spine segmentation anomaly
- C1-C2 rotatory subluxation is a common finding in trauma patients, patients with head and neck infections such as retropharyngeal abscess, and patients with cervical inflammation such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis
- Finally, consider posterior fossa or spinal cord tumor as an etiology