Publications by authors named "Christine G Curtis"
Background: Avulsion of either the C5 or C6 root with intact middle and lower trunks in brachial plexus birth injury is rare. In these cases, only 1 proximal root is available for intraplexal reconstruction. The purpose of the present study was to determine the outcomes of these patients when single-root reconstruction was balanced across the anterior and posterior elements of the upper trunk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Avulsion of either the C5 or C6 root with intact middle and lower trunks in brachial plexus birth injury is rare. In these cases, only 1 proximal root is available for intraplexal reconstruction. The purpose of the present study was to determine the outcomes of these patients when single-root reconstruction was balanced across the anterior and posterior elements of the upper trunk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Studies are limited on sensory outcome in children with brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI). The purpose of this research was to evaluate the sensory function of the hand in children with BPBI who had microsurgical reconstruction of the brachial plexus.
Methods: The sensory thresholds of children with upper and total plexus injury were evaluated with the Weinstein Enhanced Sensory Test and a test of stereognosis.
Purpose: In our experience, and from the personal report of others, children with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy appear to lose some of their initially recovered active range of motion over the time in both operated and nonsurgical patients. This study investigates whether such a diminution of active movement occurs over time.
Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from our obstetrical brachial plexus clinic.
Purpose: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of pain experienced by children who have had microsurgical reconstruction for obstetrical brachial plexus palsy (OBPP).
Methods: A prospective case series study was conducted of 65 children aged 6 to 18 years with a diagnosis of OBPP and who had microsurgery at less than 12 months of age with nerve grafting or transfer. A total of 28 patients (43%) had upper OBPP and 37 (57%) had total OBPP.
Purpose: This study identifies a small subset of patients with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy who, while they do not meet common surgical indications, may still benefit from primary nerve surgery.
Methods: Between April 2004 and April 2009, 17 patients were offered primary nerve surgery despite not meeting the standard surgical indications of the authors. The authors performed a retrospective analysis of these 17 patients using prospectively collected data.
Background: Residual muscle imbalance is a common problem affecting obstetrical brachial plexus palsy patients. The goal of this study was to examine the efficacy of botulinum toxin type A (Botox) in improving this muscle imbalance.
Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed obstetrical brachial plexus palsy patients treated with Botox for muscle imbalance as an isolated procedure.
Purpose: The purpose of this article was to report the development of a new assessment tool, the Brachial Plexus Outcome Measure (BPOM) and the evaluation of its internal consistency and construct validity.
Methods: A retrospective case series of children aged 4-19 years with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) was conducted. Intraclass coefficients were calculated for the BPOM Activity Scale items.
Background: Peripheral nerve palsies of the upper extremities presenting at birth can be distressing for families and care providers. It is therefore important to be able to identify patients whose diagnosis is compatible with full recovery so that their families can be reassured.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all infants presenting with weakness of the upper extremity to our clinic between July 1995 and September 2009.
Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is any difference in external rotation following reconstruction of the suprascapular nerve using nerve grafts from the proximal C5 root or nerve transfer using the spinal accessory nerve.
Methods: External rotation was assessed using the Active Movement Scale immediately before surgery and 3 years postoperatively. Patients with less than 3 years of follow-up were excluded.
Background: The authors previously showed that neurolysis in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy resulted in improved function in some patients at 1 year's follow-up. In this study, the hypothesis that the long-term outcome of neuroma-in-continuity resection and nerve grafting yields better results than neurolysis was tested.
Methods: Obstetrical brachial plexus palsy patients treated with primary nerve surgery with a minimum follow-up of 4 years were studied.
Background: The purpose of this study was to answer two questions. First, are there obstetrical brachial plexus palsy patients with no elbow flexion at 3 months who go on to recover useful upper extremity function without surgical intervention? Second, are there patients with evidence of elbow flexion at 3 months who do benefit from brachial plexus reconstruction?
Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed a sample drawn from 253 consecutive patients at The Hospital for Sick Children obstetrical brachial plexus database from 1993 to 1996. Inclusion criteria were examination at age 3 months and either complete spontaneous recovery or repeated examination after age 3 years.
Purpose: A standardized method of measurement of self-care ability in children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) has not been universally adopted. A study was conducted to determine if the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) was able to discriminate between the self-care ability of children with OBPP and their peers and distinguish between those with differing severities of OBPP.
Methods: The PEDI self-care domain results for 45 children with OBPP (30 without hand impairment, 15 with hand impairment) were reviewed retrospectively.