Upper-extremity spasticity and functionality after selective dorsal rhizotomy for cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

Objective: Lumbosacral selective dorsal rhizotomy is a neurosurgical treatment option to reduce spasticity in the lower extremities in children with cerebral palsy. Surprisingly, concomitant improvement of spasticity in the upper extremities and functionality of the hands has been sporadically reported postoperatively. In this systematic review, the authors aimed to quantify the postoperative improvement in upper-extremity spasticity and functionality, identify predictors, and discuss underlying mechanisms.

Evolution of head-shaft angle and neck-shaft angle in childhood.

The current retrospective study investigates the natural evolution of head-shaft angle (HSA) and neck-shaft angle (NSA) in childhood. It is not known if a high HSA in early childhood leads to a high HSA in adulthood. This study aims to characterize the evolution of HSA and compares it with the more commonly known NSA in healthy children.

Lowered dose full-spine radiography in pediatric patients with idiopathic scoliosis.

Purpose: To optimize our standard full-spine radiography with respect to diagnostic quality and dose.

Methods: A phantom study was performed to establish an optimal posterior-anterior view (PA) full spine protocol having the lowest dose with non-inferior quality compared to standard. We then applied this protocol in 40 pediatric patients (group B).

Prevalence of neurofibromatosis type 1 in congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia.

Unlabelled: A strong relationship between congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) and neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) has been suggested, but prevalence varies widely throughout the literature and the criteria used for diagnosis are very heterogeneous. Literature focus is mainly on treatment and no specific review on the prevalence of NF1 has been published. Based on our own observations, we hypothesized the prevalence of NF1 in patients with CPT to be higher than what is previously accepted.

Ilizarov bone transport as a treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia: a long-term follow-up study.

Purpose: Most studies on congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) report on the short-term union rate and refracture rate but do not take into account the long-term outcome. This review includes patients treated with an Ilizarov bone transport, who all reached skeletal maturity. It describes long-term results and highlights any prognostic factors that could predict the final outcome.

The Pentaconcept in skeletal tissue engineering. A combined approach for the repair of bone defects.

Tissue engineering has become a hot topic in modern medicine. Its application in a surgical setting, such as for the treatment of skeletal defects, still has to tackle some problems that might look simple at first sight, but need a well-structured handling combining surgery and science, with in a central position the patient, who is both cell donor and receptor of the tissue engineered end product. To achieve this goal in a clinical setting, a five steps pathway is described and designated as the Pentaconcept, integrating all ingredients for successful reconstructive procedures.

Reduction of treatment time in external ring fixation using the monofix device.

One of the disadvantages of the Ilizarov method is the long treatment time needed for extensive lengthening or complex deformity correction. To minimize the discomfort of the circular frame the authors have introduced a 'frame reduction' technique in which the ring frame is converted towards a unilateral fixator, the 'Monofix'. Both its efficacy and patient satisfaction encouraged the authors to apply this method on a routine basis since 1998 for lower and upper limb corrections.

Long-term outcome of 73 Zweymüller total hip prostheses with a screw cup in patients under 50 years of age.

Total hip arthroplasty in young patients is associated with high failure rates and the best option for this demanding group of patients remains controversial. We report the long-term results of 73 consecutive Zweymüller total hip arthroplasties with a titanium threaded cup and a polyethylene insert in 67 patients aged under 50 years at the time of surgery (mean 43 years, range 23-49). Independent assessment was performed clinically and radiographically, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine survival for different end-points.

A new digital preoperative planning method for total hip arthroplasties.

Preoperative templating is an important part of a THA. The ability to accurately determine magnification of the hip on the radiograph and apply identical magnification to the radiograph and template will improve accuracy of preoperative templating of THA. We designed a templating method using a new way of determining the hip magnification with a linear relationship between magnification of the hip and the reference object on top of the pubis symphysis; the relationship was determined on 50 radiographs.