[Benign infantile paroxysmal torticollis. Apropos of 3 cases].

We report three children with benign paroxysmal torticollis (BPT) and review the literature. BPT represents a self-limited disorder that occurs mainly in infancy and in females. The condition is characterized by recurrent spells of torticollis which may, or may not, be accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, pallor, ataxia, irritability and drowsiness. The diagnosis of BPT should be established clinically, although, in some cases, it is necessary to rule out conditions such as posterior fossa tumor, cervical dislocation, ocular palsy, dystonia due to side effects of drugs, or Sandifer's syndrome. The etiology of the syndrome remains unknown and, at present, there is no effective therapy.