Functional electrical stimulation of the ankle dorsiflexors during walking in spastic cerebral palsy: a systematic review.

Aim: To assess the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) of ankle dorsiflexors in children and adolescents with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) during walking.

Method: A systematic review was performed using the American Academy of Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Six databases were searched for studies applying interventions to patients aged younger than 20 years.

The effect of intrathecal baclofen treatment on activities of daily life in children and young adults with cerebral palsy and progressive neurological disorders.

Introduction: Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) treatment is applied in patients with spastic cerebral palsy (SCP), dystonic cerebral palsy (DCP) and progressive neurological disease (PND). Our aim was to investigate whether ITB treatment has a different effect on activities of daily life (ADL) in these groups.

Method: A retrospective and cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire to assess the qualitative effect of ITB (Likert scale) on different domains of functioning (mobility, personal care, communication, comfort) and satisfaction with the results.

Quality of Life of Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional KIDSCREEN study in the Southern part of the Netherlands.

Objective: To compare the quality of life (QoL) of 8-18 year old children with cerebral palsy (CP) in the Southern part of The Netherlands to a sample of European children from the general population and to investigate factors associated with possible differences.

Design: A cross-sectional KIDSCREEN-52 (by-proxy version) study.

Subjects/patients: The parents of 80 out of 81 children (mean age 13.

Intrathecal baclofen treatment in dystonic cerebral palsy: a randomized clinical trial: the IDYS trial.

Background: Dystonic cerebral palsy is primarily caused by damage to the basal ganglia and central cortex. The daily care of these patients can be difficult due to dystonic movements. Intrathecal baclofen treatment is a potential treatment option for dystonia and has become common practice.

Long-term follow-up on continuous intrathecal Baclofen therapy in non-ambulant children with intractable spastic Cerebral Palsy.

Background: Little is known about the long-term effects of Continuous intrathecal Baclofen (CITB) therapy in non-ambulant children with intractable spastic Cerebral Palsy (CP).

Aim: To determine whether short-term beneficial effects of CITB therapy are present at the long-term, and whether caregivers would choose CITB therapy for their child again considering the advantages and disadvantages encountered over the years.

Methods: Long-term follow-up data were obtained of the children whom had previously participated in a RCT on CITB by the Dutch Study Group on Spasticity.

Diagnostic radiation exposure in children with spinal dysraphism: an estimation of the cumulative effective dose in a cohort of 135 children from The Netherlands.

Objective: Based on the assumption that children with spinal dysraphism are exposed to a large amount of ionising radiation for diagnostic purposes, our objective was to estimate this exposure, expressed in cumulative effective dose.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Settings: The Netherlands.

Clinical characteristics and surgical outcome in 25 cases of childhood tight filum syndrome.

Objective: Tight filum syndrome (TFS) is caused by a thick (abnormal T1 MRI), shortened (low-lying conus), or non-elastic filum (strictly normal MRI). We carefully analyzed children treated for suspect TFS with or without radiological abnormalities.

Methods: Twenty-five children, operated between 2002 and 2009, were retrospectively identified.

The lumbosacral angle does not reflect progressive tethered cord syndrome in children with spinal dysraphism.

Purpose: Our goal was to validate the hypothesis that the lumbosacral angle (LSA) increases in children with spinal dysraphism who present with progressive symptoms and signs of tethered cord syndrome (TCS), and if so, to determine for which different types and/or levels the LSA would be a valid indicator of progressive TCS. Moreover, we studied the influence of surgical untethering and eventual retethering on the LSA.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 33 children with spinal dysraphism and 33 controls with medulloblastoma.

Percutaneous radiofrequency lesions adjacent to the dorsal root ganglion alleviate spasticity and pain in children with cerebral palsy: pilot study in 17 patients.

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) may cause severe spasticity, requiring neurosurgical procedures. The most common neurosurgical procedures are continuous infusion of intrathecal baclofen and selective dorsal rhizotomy. Both are invasive and complex procedures.