There is no evidence in the current literature to support or refute the practice of routine implant removal in children.

This pilot study established the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial design for in this population. Its findings indicate that BtX-A injections appear to be safe and effective for reducing pain and improving the quality of life and functional mobility of children undergoing lengthening or deformity corrections of the lower limbs. A larger-scale study is currently underway to confirm these preliminary findings.

Trevor's disease is a rare abnormality characterized by aberrant osteocartilaginous growth from an epiphysis. We describe six new cases from our institution. A patient with isolated tibial tuberosity involvement is described for the first time. Each patient was classified according to Azouz into localized (three), classical (two) and generalized (one) form. We recommend that parents be counseled regarding the progressive nature of this disorder owing to the chance of worsening deformity with surgical excision alone, and the need to be followed until skeletal maturity.

Marfan syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue, with ocular, skeletal, and cardiovascular manifestations. Protrusio acetabuli is a criterion for the diagnosis of Marfan syndrome. Prolonged protrusio acetabuli may result in secondary osteoarthritic changes in the hip joint. Radiographic criteria for protrusio acetabuli include an abnormally positioned acetabular line, a center-edge angle of Wiberg of >40 degrees, and crossing of the teardrop by the ilioischial line. In a skeletally immature patient with Marfan syndrome in whom the triradiate physis of the acetabulum is still open, closure of the triradiate physis can interrupt and decrease the progression of the deformity. In older patients, valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy and eventually total hip arthroplasty are the only methods available for correction of the protrusio acetabuli.

The presence of three of four continuous cortices on anteroposterior and lateral radiographs has been stated to be an indication of bony healing of distraction osteogenesis. In this study the authors assessed the level of agreement of radiographic assessment of bony union. Forty-two lower extremity radiographs of consolidating distraction gaps were reviewed by nine examiners on two occasions for number of cortices and whether fixator removal was indicated. For number of cortices, the kappa coefficients for interobserver and intraobserver variability were 0.127 and 0.290. For fixator removal, the interobserver and intraobserver coefficients were 0.352 and 0.461. Variation in assessment of number of cortices was slightly better than chance, indicating an inadequate measure of healing. The clinicians used radiographic criteria other than three of four cortices for fixator removal. The decision to remove an external fixation device based on radiographic assessment alone resulted in intraobserver and interobserver variability moderately above chance.