No abstract

Early results of the Ponseti method for the treatment of clubfoot associated with myelomeningocele

This is the largest reported series of halo use in children. The overall rate of complications is 53% (36/68), and 10% (7/68) of children required unanticipated surgery for treatment of these complications. The most common complication was pin-site infections, with 76% (13/17) of these resolving with oral antibiotics alone. Traction-related neurologic injuries that occurred were common, 31% (9/31) but all resolved with a decrease or removal of traction weight, with complete resolution occurring immediately in 4 of 9 events. We recommend serial neurologic examinations of children in halo traction, with immediate removal or decrease in weights at the first sign of injury.

Level 4 case series.

The SPLATT procedure provides a balanced function of the foot, thus improving the ambulatory ability in CCP and should be integrated into the surgical plan. Pre-treatment GMFCS levels 3-4 predicted unfavourable outcomes and should be addressed during pre-operative parental counselling.

Soft tissue release surgery limited to only pathologies encountered during the procedure maintains motions of ankle and subtalar joints in ICF.

We report the case of a Thai male patient with neuralgic amyotrophy, presenting with acute and severe pain in the upper extremities, followed by patchy muscle weakness, associated with hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection. The entire HEV genome was sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analysis and found to be genotype 3. Data on the most common HEV genotypes circulating in Thailand are scarce. The origin of infection and the mode of HEV transmission in this patient remained inconclusive; however, this study provides essential baseline data as a reference for further genetic analysis of HEV.

Background: Physical therapy (PT) alone is not always effective for treatment of congenital muscular torticollis (CMT). The adjunctive use of botulinum toxin (BTX) injection into the sternocleidomastoid, followed by PT, could provide correction and avoid more invasive surgery. Aims of the study were to review clinical and caregiver-reported outcomes of children with resistant CMT treated by BTX injection combined with a guided-PT program. Methods: Medical records of consecutive children with resistant CMT treated by our protocol between 2010 and 2015 were reviewed. A minimum 2-year follow-up was required. Demographic parameters, numbers of BTX required and pre-BTX and post-BTX head tilt and range of neck rotation were recorded. A univariate analysis test was conducted to identify variables related to the need of repeated BTX injections. A phone interview with the caregivers was done regarding their satisfaction. Results: A cohort of 39 patients with treatment resistant CMT were identified that had an average age of 14 (range, 6.5 to 27.6) months at initiation of BTX treatment. Multiple BTX injections were utilized in 21/39 (54%) of patients. No patient required tendon lengthening surgery. At the final evaluation, there was improvement in both head tilt (18.7±6.8 degrees vs. 1.7±2.4 degrees, mean difference (95% CI) 16.9 (14.6-19.3); P<0.001) and range of neck motion (56.0°±11.7 degrees vs. 86.0±3.8 degrees, mean difference (95% CI) 30.0 (26.1-33.9), P<0.001). Pre-BTX parameters were not associated with the requirement of repeated BTX injections (P>0.05). Caregivers were satisfied with the treatment protocol. No untoward effect was observed during the study period. Conclusions: The proposed minimally invasive protocol provided correction of resistant CMT and obviated the need for more invasive surgical procedures. Level of Evidence: Level IV.