Neck: congenital muscular torticollis: practice question

A ENT question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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ENT · Neck: congenital muscular torticollis

Sample item

A 3-week-old infant has a firm olive-sized swelling in the lower part of the sternocleidomastoid and the head tilts to the same side with the chin to the opposite side. What is the first-line management?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Passive stretching exercises

Congenital muscular torticollis is a fibromatosis colli of the sternocleidomastoid, and most cases resolve with physiotherapy and stretching during the first year. Surgery by tenotomy is reserved for failure after 12 months. Hip dysplasia should be checked.

Option by option

  • A. Botulinum toxin injection

    Botulinum toxin is not first-line.

  • B. Cervical collar for 6 months

    Collars are not used in infants.

  • C. Passive stretching exercises (correct)

    Correct. Stretching resolves most cases.

  • D. Immediate tenotomy

    Surgery is for refractory cases after a year.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is C, Passive stretching exercises. Congenital muscular torticollis is a fibromatosis colli of the sternocleidomastoid, and most cases resolve with physiotherapy and stretching during the first year.

Why is "Botulinum toxin injection" not the answer?

Botulinum toxin is not first-line.

Why is "Cervical collar for 6 months" not the answer?

Collars are not used in infants.

Why is "Immediate tenotomy" not the answer?

Surgery is for refractory cases after a year.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neck: congenital muscular torticollis in ENT. Surgery by tenotomy is reserved for failure after 12 months. Hip dysplasia should be checked.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neck: congenital muscular torticollis?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.