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The Cleft Palate-craniofacial Journal :... Jan 2024To evaluate the safety and efficacy of helmet therapy for deformational plagiocephaly in patients with shunted hydrocephalus.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of helmet therapy for deformational plagiocephaly in patients with shunted hydrocephalus.
DESIGN
Retrospective chart review.
SETTING
Institutional, tertiary-care hospital.
PATIENTS
All patients at St. Louis Children's Hospital between 2014 and 2021 with shunted hydrocephalus who underwent helmet therapy for deformational plagiocephaly.
INTERVENTIONS
Helmet therapy.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Cranial vault asymmetry (CVA), cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI), and cephalic index (CI) were measured before and after completion of helmet therapy.
RESULTS
There were 37 patients with shunted hydrocephalus and documented deformational plagiocephaly. Twelve were managed with helmet therapy. Average age at helmeting initiation and time between shunt placement and helmeting initiation was 5.8 and 4.6 months, respectively. Average CVA, CVAI, and CI at helmeting initiation and termination was 11.6, 7.98, and 85.2, and 6.95, 4.49, and 83.7, respectively. Average duration of helmeting was 3.7 months. CVA and CVAI were significantly lower after helmeting ( = .0028 and .0021) and 11/12 patients had overall improvement in plagiocephaly.
CONCLUSIONS
Helmet therapy appears to be a safe and efficacious management strategy for deformational plagiocephaly in patients with shunted hydrocephalus. Despite the occasional need for additional fittings and surveillance beyond the normal schedule, in all cases appropriately fitting helmets were achieved and no major adverse events occurred. This cohort represents a proof of principle for the safety and efficacy of helmet therapy in patients with shunted hydrocephalus. Further work in larger prospective cohorts is needed to confirm these initial findings.
PubMed: 38193166
DOI: 10.1177/10556656231214125 -
Child's Nervous System : ChNS :... Mar 2024Posterior synostotic plagiocephaly (PSP) impacts craniofacial skeleton. Study quantifies facial changes in children with PSP to investigate the impact of age and PSP...
BACKGROUND
Posterior synostotic plagiocephaly (PSP) impacts craniofacial skeleton. Study quantifies facial changes in children with PSP to investigate the impact of age and PSP severity at diagnosis on the facial dysmorphology.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
High-resolution preoperative CT images of 22 infants with PSP were analyzed. They were divided according to the early or late age at time of diagnosis. Each group was further subdivided according to the severity of PSP evaluated by the cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI): mild-moderate PSP (CVAI between 3 and 12%) and severe PSP (CVAI > 12%). Analysis of the facial complex was performed. Each group was compared with age-matched healthy subjects.
RESULTS
All children exhibited unilateral lambdoid suture synostosis. The "early" diagnosis group consisted of 7 children with mild-moderate PSP while the "late" diagnosis group of 15 children in which 6 children had mild-moderate and 9 children severe PSP. All children showed altered position of glenoid fossae and mandibular asymmetry characterized by reduced mandibular diagonal distance length on the affected side while the subgroup of children with severe PSP detected in "late" diagnosis group had also altered mandibular inclination and reduced midfacial depth on both sides.
CONCLUSIONS
PSP causes cranial base dysmorphology which drives changes in facial complex growth; the severity of facial changes mainly depends on the severity of cranial vault dysmorphology detected by CVAI. Mandible reshapes early under the stress of altered biomechanical forces of the skull base while changes in the maxilla are secondary to the asymmetric growth of the mandible and occur only in severe cases.
Topics: Infant; Child; Humans; Skull; Craniosynostoses; Face; Skull Base; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Head
PubMed: 38095653
DOI: 10.1007/s00381-023-06227-1 -
The Cleft Palate-craniofacial Journal :... Dec 2023To evaluate regarding the effect of race and socioeconomic status (SES) on the timing of cleft lip and/or palate (CL ± P), craniosynostosis, and plagiocephaly...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate regarding the effect of race and socioeconomic status (SES) on the timing of cleft lip and/or palate (CL ± P), craniosynostosis, and plagiocephaly presentation to clinic and possible repair.
DESIGN/METHODS
A retrospective review of patients with CL ± P and head shape conditions from Jan 2001 to Feb 2022 were included. Age at first plastic surgery clinic appointment, age at repair if applicable, gender, race, and zip code were collected. The Validated Child Opportunity Index (COI) scale was calculated based on zip code as a measure of SES. Kruskal-Wallis tests and Dunn's procedures were used for continuous variables and post hoc pairwise comparisons.
RESULTS
2733 patients with CL ± P, 9974 with plagiocephaly/brachycephaly, and 59 patients with craniosynostosis were included. Among patients with CL ± P, Black and Hispanic patients presented significantly later to both first plastic surgery clinic appointment and age at repair than White patients ( < .001). White patients and higher SES were associated with a significantly earlier date of initial presentation to plastic surgery clinic for head shape conditions ( < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
Race and SES may play an important role in the delay of first presentation to plastic surgery clinic and subsequent repair for these patient populations. Further educational efforts must be provided to ensure equitable care. This single institutional study may serve to encourage other academic centers to analyze the timing of care for our pediatric patients.
PubMed: 38073056
DOI: 10.1177/10556656231219417 -
Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics Jan 2024The use of helmet treatment for positional plagiocephaly has increased recently; however, its effect is unknown in Korea.
BACKGROUND
The use of helmet treatment for positional plagiocephaly has increased recently; however, its effect is unknown in Korea.
PURPOSE
This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of helmet therapy and identify its influencing factors.
METHODS
Ninety pediatric patients diagnosed with moderate to severe positional plagiocephaly received helmet therapy. Severity of moderate to severe positional plagiocephaly was defined as cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) >10 mm or CVA index (CVAI) >6%. Patients were categorized by age, severity, and daily helmet wear. Multiple regression analysis controlled for factors like sex and prematurity. Treatment success was assessed by comparing pre/post-helmet theray CVA and CVAI, considering normalization or decrease to mild plagiocephaly (CVA ≤10 mm or CVAI ≤6%).
RESULTS
A total of 90 participants were enrolled (mean age, 5.6±1.6 months; male, 53 [58.9%]). The mean helmet therapy duration was 6.4±2.7 months, while the mean daily wear time was 18.4±2.7 hours. Among the 90 patients, 66 (73.3%) had moderate disease and 24 (26.7%) had severe disease. The mean CVA and CVAI decreased by 6.3±2.7 mm and 4.3%±1.8% after versus before treatment (P<0.001). Treatment was successful in 76 infants (84.4%). The most effective changes in CVA and CVAI were noted in those who began treatment before 9 months of age (6.2±2.5 mm and 5.0%±1.9%, P<0.001), had high compliance (6.2±2.4 mm and 4.9%±1.9%, P<0.001), and had high severity (8.0±2.3 mm and 6.6%±1.7%, P<0.001).
CONCLUSION
Starting helmet treatment before 9 months and wearing it over 15 hours daily yielded better outcomes.
PubMed: 38062714
DOI: 10.3345/cep.2023.00626 -
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health Jan 2024To establish the prevalence of positional head deformations (PHDs) within a neonatal unit (NU) setting, and to evaluate the subsequent impact that PHDs have on NU...
AIM
To establish the prevalence of positional head deformations (PHDs) within a neonatal unit (NU) setting, and to evaluate the subsequent impact that PHDs have on NU graduates and their families.
METHODS
A prospective audit was conducted over a six-week period within a tertiary NU (Brisbane, Australia). Eligible babies were measured weekly using a craniometer where presence, type and severity of PHD were determined. Univariate analysis was undertaken to establish differences in clinical characteristics between babies with, and without, the presence of PHD. A study-specific survey was completed by a separate set of families returning for outpatient follow-up services who represented similar clinical characteristics and risk factors for PHD.
RESULTS
Fifty-three babies were eligible for inclusion in the audit. PHDs were identified in 66% (n = 35) of the cohort, the most common being scaphocephaly (52.8%, n = 28). Within that, 46% (n = 13) were classed as mild, 25% (n = 7) were moderate and 29% (n = 8) were severe. Moderate correlation (r = 0.55) was found between severity of scaphocephaly, and length of time spent in an isolette. Of the 10 (66% response from 15 families) surveys completed, 80% of respondents perceived that their child's PHD had impacted their life.
CONCLUSIONS
Two-thirds of babies developed a PHD during their neonatal admission. Most families surveyed perceived this condition to have an impact on their lives beyond the confines of the nursery. Further research is needed to identify preventative interventions to decrease the prevalence and severity of this common condition.
Topics: Humans; Infant, Newborn; Australia; Craniosynostoses; Prevalence; Research Design; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38013612
DOI: 10.1111/jpc.16520 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Nov 2023Positional cranial deformities are a common finding in toddlers, yet differentiation from craniosynostosis can be challenging. The aim of this study was to train...
Positional cranial deformities are a common finding in toddlers, yet differentiation from craniosynostosis can be challenging. The aim of this study was to train convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to classify craniofacial deformities based on 2D images generated using photogrammetry as a radiation-free imaging technique. A total of 487 patients with photogrammetry scans were included in this retrospective cohort study: children with craniosynostosis (n = 227), positional deformities (n = 206), and healthy children (n = 54). Three two-dimensional images were extracted from each photogrammetry scan. The datasets were divided into training, validation, and test sets. During the training, fine-tuned ResNet-152s were utilized. The performance was quantified using tenfold cross-validation. For the detection of craniosynostosis, sensitivity was at 0.94 with a specificity of 0.85. Regarding the differentiation of the five existing classes (trigonocephaly, scaphocephaly, positional plagiocephaly left, positional plagiocephaly right, and healthy), sensitivity ranged from 0.45 (positional plagiocephaly left) to 0.95 (scaphocephaly) and specificity ranged from 0.87 (positional plagiocephaly right) to 0.97 (scaphocephaly). We present a CNN-based approach to classify craniofacial deformities on two-dimensional images with promising results. A larger dataset would be required to identify rarer forms of craniosynostosis as well. The chosen 2D approach enables future applications for digital cameras or smartphones.
PubMed: 38002694
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12227082 -
Journal of Osteopathic Medicine Apr 2024Deformational plagiocephaly (DP) is on the rise in pediatric patients. The current standard of care recommended for management is repositioning with possible addition of...
CONTEXT
Deformational plagiocephaly (DP) is on the rise in pediatric patients. The current standard of care recommended for management is repositioning with possible addition of cranial orthoses. However, strong data are lacking to support these recommendations. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is another treatment option for DP that is also lacking evidential support.
OBJECTIVES
This retrospective chart review study investigated the effects of OMT at restoring a more symmetrical cranial bone configuration in children with DP.
METHODS
A retrospective chart review was performed on medical records of patients with a diagnosis of DP from three private practices over a 4-year period from September 2017 to December 2021. Inclusion criteria were diagnoses of DP by a referring physician and aged 10 months or less at the time of initial evaluation and treatment. Patients were excluded if they had confounding diagnoses such as genetic syndromes or severe torticollis. A total of 26 patients met these criteria, and their records were reviewed. The main outcome reviewed was anthropometric assessment of the cranium, mainly the cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI).
RESULTS
Participants demonstrated a mean CVAI - a measure that determines the severity of DP - of 6.809 (±3.335) (Grade 3 severity) at baseline, in contrast to 3.834 (±2.842) (Grade 2 severity) after a series of OMT treatments. CVAI assessment after OMT reveals statistically significant (p≤0.001) decreases in measurements of skull asymmetry and occipital flattening. No adverse events were reported throughout the study period.
CONCLUSIONS
The application of OMT has shown potential benefit for reducing cranial deformity in patients with DP.
Topics: Child; Humans; Manipulation, Osteopathic; Retrospective Studies; Plagiocephaly
PubMed: 37999741
DOI: 10.1515/jom-2023-0168 -
Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North... Feb 2024We describe the investigation and management of select pediatric craniofacial disorders their recent advances. Positional plagiocephaly: The incidence of positional... (Review)
Review
We describe the investigation and management of select pediatric craniofacial disorders their recent advances. Positional plagiocephaly: The incidence of positional plagiocephaly has increased since the institution of the "safe to sleep" campaign to reduce sudden infant death syndrome. Positional plagiocephaly may be associated with underlying developmental delay. Nonsyndromic craniosynostosis: Treatment of nonsyndromic craniosynostosis depends on the age of the patient and the suture involved. Pediatric skull lesions: Management of skull lesions depends on histologic diagnosis. Some benign skull lesions are managed conservatively, whereas erosive and malignant lesions may require surgical excision, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or multimodality treatment.
Topics: Infant; Humans; Child; Plagiocephaly, Nonsynostotic; Skull; Combined Modality Therapy; Craniosynostoses; Neurosurgical Procedures
PubMed: 37981408
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsc.2023.06.004 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Sep 2023(1) Background: Patients with unicoronal craniosynostosis (UCS) often show torticollis which can result from either an ocular cause or contraction of the...
(1) Background: Patients with unicoronal craniosynostosis (UCS) often show torticollis which can result from either an ocular cause or contraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. For clinicians, it is crucial to know the prevalence of ocular torticollis (OT) to ensure appropriate referral for treatment. Furthermore, associated ophthalmic features with OT in these patients are scarcely described. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of OT in non-syndromic UCS patients and investigate its associated ophthalmic features. (2) Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study medical records of non-syndromic UCS patients treated between 1994-2022 in one tertiary care hospital in The Netherlands were retrospectively reviewed. Collected data included: diagnosis and type of torticollis, binocular single vision (BSV), strabismus, ocular motility, alphabetical patterns, refractive error, and amblyopia. Patients were classified as OT, based on their ophthalmic and/or orthoptic diagnosis. Prevalence was determined with the 95% CI using the Clopper-Pearson exact test. Associations between OT and the ophthalmic features were determined using Chi-square or Fishers' exact test and its effect size was calculated using Cramer's V. (3) Results: In total, 146 patients were included, of whom 57 had torticollis. An ocular cause for the torticollis was found in 54 patients. The prevalence of OT was 37% (n = 146; 95% CI [0.292-0.454]). Significant associations were found between OT and strabismus ( < 0.001), ocular motility abnormalities ( < 0.001), alphabetical patterns ( < 0.001), and amblyopia ( = 0.002). BSV ( = 0.277) and refractive error ( = 1.0) were not significantly associated with OT. However, in OT the BSV was relatively poor (42.1%) and more frequently absent (26.3%) compared to the non-torticollis group (7% poor and 16.3% absent). In both groups, excyclotorsion was predominantly present (62.3%). (4) Conclusions: In 95% of cases, torticollis in UCS patients is ocular-related. Overall, one in three patients with UCS have OT. This study emphasizes the importance of a timely referral of all patients with UCS with torticollis to an orthoptist and/or ophthalmologist, specialized in diagnosing and treatment of OT, before considering physiotherapy.
PubMed: 37762999
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12186059 -
JPRAS Open Dec 2023This study evaluated the stability of bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) associated with positional plagiocephaly and temporal and masseter muscles using...
This study evaluated the stability of bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy (BSSRO) associated with positional plagiocephaly and temporal and masseter muscles using posteroanterior cephalogram analysis and three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). This retrospective cohort study included 31 patients who underwent BSSRO for mandibular asymmetry. The cranial vault asymmetry index (CVAI) and the cephalic index were used as indicators of positional plagiocephaly. The distance from the vertical reference line to the menton (Me) was measured on posteroanterior cephalograms immediately and 1 year after surgery, and postoperative stability was assessed. Temporal and masseter muscles were constructed from 3D-CT data and their volumes were measured. Simple regression analysis showed a significant correlation between postoperative changes in the vertical reference line to the Me and the CVAI ( = 0.56, = 0.001), the amount of surgical movement in the vertical reference line to the Me ( = 0.41, = 0.023), and the variable temporal muscle volume ( = 0.27, = 0.028). There was no significant correlation between postoperative changes in the vertical reference line to the Me and the cephalic index ( = 0.093, = 0.62) and variable masseter muscle volume ( = 0.16, = 0.38). According to multivariate analysis, CVAI ( = 0.003) and amount of surgical movement in the vertical reference line to the Me ( = 0.014) were significant predictors of postoperative change in the vertical reference line to the Me. Positional plagiocephaly and amount of surgical movement influence lateral skeletal stability following BSSRO for mandibular asymmetry.
PubMed: 37675277
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpra.2023.08.006