Analysis of the ocular torticollis cases misdiagnosed as muscular torticollis

Objective To investigate the cause of the misdiagnosis by analyzing the cases of ocular torticollis misdiagnosed as muscular torticollis. Methods The ocular torticollis cases misdiagnosed as the muscular torticollis in other hospitals from 1994 to 2006 were retrospectively analyzed,and the diagnostic classification and the treatment were analyzed. Results There were 37 ocular torticollis cases misdiagnosed as the muscular torticollis. Of them,there were 24 cases of congenital superior oblique palsy or paresis,accounting for 64.9%. 8 cases of congenital superior rectus palsy,21.6%. 3 cases of congenital inferior rectus palsy,8.1%. 2 cases of congenital inferior oblique palsy,5.4 %. There were 21 cases by the surgery of sternocleidomastoid muscle,accounting for 56.8%. 16 cases by physical therapy or other conservative treatment,43.2%. Conclusion Congenital superior oblique palsy or paresis is the disease most commonly misdiagnosed as muscular torticollis,so clinicians should distinguish the ocular and muscular torticollis in order to avoid making the misdiagnosis or delaying the treatment.