Long-term mortality rates in pediatric hydrocephalus-a retrospective single-center study.

Purpose: Very long-term follow-up and outcome are rare for pediatric patients with hydrocephalus and shunt operations. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term mortality rates in these patients.

Methods: Pediatric patients with first shunt operation between 1982 and 1992 were included.

Sudden falls as a persistent complication of selective dorsal rhizotomy surgery in children with bilateral spasticity: report of 3 cases.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) surgery is a well-established treatment for ambulatory children with bilateral spastic paresis and is performed to eliminate spasticity and improve walking. The objective of this case report is to describe sudden falls as a persistent complication of SDR. The authors report on 3 patients with bilateral spastic paresis, aged 12, 6, and 7 years at the time of surgery.

Long-term outcome of accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve transfer in obstetric brachial plexus lesion: functional, morphological, and electrophysiological results.

Purpose: An accessory to suprascapular nerve (XIN-SSN) transfer is considered in patients with obstetric brachial plexus lesion who fail to recover active shoulder external rotation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of extraplexal suprascapular nerve neurotization and to perform a detailed analysis of the infraspinatus muscle (IM) and shoulder external rotation.

Methods: A XIN-SSN transfer was performed in 14 patients between 2000 and 2007.

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 effect of selective dorsal rhizotomy on gross motor function in ambulant children with spastic bilateral cerebral palsy, compared with reference centiles.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) on the gross motor function of ambulant children with spastic bilateral cerebral palsy (CP), compared with reference centiles.

Method: The study used a prospective cohort design and participants comprised 29 children classified using the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) in level I (n=7), II (n=4), or III (n=18; 18 males, 11 females; median age at time of surgery 6 y 4 mo; range 2 y 10 mo-12 y 1 mo), who were examined 5 years and 10 years after SDR. We used individual centiles based on Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-66) scores and age, corresponding to the GMFCS levels.

[A man with severe traumatic brain injury].

We present a 41-year-old man with severe traumatic brain injury. Cranial imaging studies revealed cerebral contusion and a longitudinal fracture of the temporal bone. Several days later brain herniated into the left external auditory canal.

Musculoskeletal growth in the upper arm in infants after obstetric brachial plexus lesions and its relation with residual muscle function.

Aim: Denervation after obstetric brachial plexus lesion (OBPL) is associated with reduced musculoskeletal growth in the upper arm. The aim of this study was to investigate whether reduced growth of upper arm flexor and extensor muscles is related to active elbow function and humeral length.

Method: In this study, 31 infants age less than 6 months (mean age 4.

Pediatric meningiomas in The Netherlands 1974-2010: a descriptive epidemiological case study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to review the epidemiology and the clinical, radiological, pathological, and follow-up data of all surgically treated pediatric meningiomas during the last 35 years in The Netherlands.

Methods: Patients were identified in the Pathological and Anatomical Nationwide Computerized Archive database, the nationwide network and registry of histopathology and cytopathology in The Netherlands. Pediatric patients of 18 years or younger at first operation in 1974-2009 with the diagnosis meningioma were included.

Intrathecal baclofen for progressive neurological disease in childhood: a systematic review of literature.

Background: Intrathecal baclofen (ITB) treatment is frequently used for individuals with severe, but non-progressive, spasticity refractory to oral treatment. However, experiences with ITB in patients with progressive neurological disorders of childhood causing spasticity are limited.

Aim: To investigate whether ITB is an option in patients with progressive neurological disorders causing spasticity in childhood.

Effects of intrathecal baclofen on daily care in children with secondary generalized dystonia: a pilot study.

Aim: Treatment options for dystonic cerebral palsy (CP) are limited. Our aims were to determine whether intrathecal baclofen (ITB) improves daily care, decreases dystonia and decreases pain in patients with dystonic CP.

Methods: Patients received randomized blinded treatment with ITB or placebo.

Short- and long-term effects of selective dorsal rhizotomy on gross motor function in ambulatory children with spastic diplegia.

Object: The primary aim of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the short-term (1 year) and long-term (mean 6 years) effects of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) on gross motor function and spasticity in ambulatory children with spastic diplegia. Secondary aims were to investigate side effects, additional treatment during follow-up (botulinum toxin type A injections or orthopedic surgery), and parental satisfaction.

Methods: Thirty-three children who had undergone SDR at a mean age of 6 years and 7 months (± 2 years) were included.

Aspects of activities and participation of 7-8 year-old children with an obstetric brachial plexus injury.

Background: Children with an obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) can experience problems in the performance of meaningful activities such as writing, bimanual activities, and participation in sports and leisure activities.

Aims: To quantify the everyday functioning and participation of 7-8 year-old children with an OBPI, with special emphasis on writing, and to investigate associated characteristics.

Methods: Parents of children with an OBPI were sent a self-report questionnaire regarding the school performance, writing abilities, bimanual hand use, and participation in sports and leisure activities of their child, assessed with the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS sub-scale writing), the ABILHAND-kids, and the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE).

Preoperative MRI findings and functional outcome after selective dorsal rhizotomy in children with bilateral spasticity.

Purpose: To identify MRI characteristics that may predict the functional effect of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) in children with bilateral spastic paresis.

Methods: We performed SDR in a group of 36 patients. The gross motor functioning measure-66 (GMFM-66) was applied before and after SDR.

Disappearance of spasticity after selective dorsal rhizotomy does not prevent muscle shortening in children with cerebral palsy: a case report.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy is an effective treatment for spasticity in children with cerebral palsy who have a spastic motor disorder. It is hypothesized that muscle shortening is related to spasticity; the lack of stretch of a muscle is thought to be the cause of muscle shortening. If this is true, the treatment for spasticity should prevent the occurrence of muscle shortening during growth.

Effectiveness of selective dorsal rhizotomy in 2 patients with progressive spasticity due to neurodegenerative disease.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy at the lumbar level is a neurosurgical procedure, which reduces spasticity in the legs. Its effect has mainly been studied in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Little is known about the outcome of selective dorsal rhizotomy in patients with neurodegenerative disorders.

Accessory nerve to suprascapular nerve transfer to restore shoulder exorotation in otherwise spontaneously recovered obstetric brachial plexus lesions.

Objective: A systematic follow-up of infants with an obstetric brachial plexus lesion of C5 and C6 or the superior trunk showing satisfactory spontaneous recovery of shoulder and arm function except for voluntary shoulder exorotation, who underwent an accessory to suprascapular nerve transfer to improve active shoulder exorotation, to evaluate for functional recovery, and to understand why other superior trunk functions spontaneously recover in contrast with exorotation.

Methods: In 54 children, an accessory to suprascapular nerve transfer was performed as a separate procedure at a mean age of 21.7 months.

Detection of root avulsion in the dominant C7 obstetric brachial plexus lesion: experience with three-dimensional constructive interference in steady-state magnetic resonance imaging and electrophysiology.

Objective: Preoperative, reliable detection by ancillary investigations of spinal nerve root avulsions in infants with severe obstetric brachial plexus lesions to avoid ineffective operative repair from deceivingly intact but actually avulsed nerve roots.

Methods: Ten infants were selected with an infrequent, severe dominant C7 lesion, primarily because of the anatomically distinct supraclavicular course of this spinal nerve. Three-dimensional constructive interference in steady-state magnetic resonance imaging (3D CISS MRI) studies under mild sedation were performed and evaluated for detection of avulsed nerve roots by two experienced neuroradiologists.

Selective dorsal rhizotomy in cerebral palsy to improve functional abilities: evaluation of criteria for selection.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) on functional abilities in a well-defined group of ambulatory children with spastic diplegia.

Methods: Nine children were selected for SDR (mean age 65 months, range 43-82 months). Gross motor function was measured with the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88).

Treatment of internal rotation contracture of the shoulder in obstetric brachial plexus lesions by subscapular tendon lengthening and open reduction: early results and complications.

In this prospective study of 19 consecutive children, the operative treatment of internal rotation contracture of the shoulder in obstetric brachial plexus lesions by subscapular tendon lengthening and open reduction of the humeral head is evaluated. The average age of the children was 3.7 years and average follow-up was 20 months.

Neurological recovery in obstetric brachial plexus injuries: an historical cohort study.

An historical cohort study was conducted to investigate the rate and extent of neurological recovery in obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) and to identify possible prognostic factors in a cohort of children with OBPI from birth to 7 years. All children (n=56; 31 females, 25 males) with OBPI were evaluated at fixed time intervals by one examiner. They underwent a final neurological examination at a mean age of 3 years 10 months (range 1 to 7 years).