DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i06.040

Pages: 2351-2352

Sternocleidomastoid tumor of infancy is a rare cause of a benign, firm, fibrous neck mass in neonates and infants. The term Sternocleidomastoid tumor is a misnomer as it is not a tumor but a muscle fibrosis. It most commonly involves the middle or inferior third of Sternocleidomastoid muscle. The lump is present within the Sternocleidomastoid muscle, which joins the base of skull to collarbone. If diagnosed early and correctly, it can be managed conservatively without unnecessary investigations. This affects the infant in first few weeks of life. In some babies, the muscle is shorter to one side so the baby lays their head tilted and rotated to their side. The child usually presents with visible or palpable swelling on lateral aspect of neck and the mass being 1-3 cm in diameter.