Biomedical subjects

Elke Viehweger

Publications and source records attributed to Elke Viehweger.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Thoracolumbar hemivertebrae resection by double approach in a single procedure: long-term follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of patients records with clinical and radiographic assessment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term result of thoracolumbar hemivertebrae resection using a double approach in a single procedure. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Thoracolumbar hemivertebrae resection by a combined posterior and anterior approach has been previously described, but this is the largest series of hemivertebrae reported. METHODS: From 1987 to 2003, a consecutive series of 34 congenital scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis due to thoracolumbar hemivertebrae were managed by hemivertebra resection using a combined posterior and anterior approach and short anterior and posterior convex fusion in the same day/same anesthesia. RESULTS: The mean age at surgery was 3.5 years. The mean follow-up period was 6.0 years. There was a mean improvement of 69.3% in the segmental curve from a mean angle of 34.8 degrees before surgery to 10.7 degrees at the latest follow-up assessment. The global scoliosis curve improved of 33.4% from 40.4 degrees to 26.9 degrees, respectively. Trunk shift was significantly improved. The mean final kyphosis was within normal values. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure is safe and offers a persistent correction with a short segment fusion. Surgery should be performed as early as possible to avert severe local deformities and prevent secondary structural deformities in order to avoid extensive fusions.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Lumbosacral hemivertebrae resection by combined approach: medium- and long-term follow-up.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of patients records with clinical and radiographic assessment. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term result of lumbosacral hemivertebrae resection using a combined approach. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Lumbosacral hemivertebrae resection by a combined posterior and anterior approach have been previously described, but only one study is concerning such a large series of hemivertebrae. METHODS: From 1980 to 2001, a consecutive series of 17 congenital scolioses due to lumbosacral hemivertebrae were managed by hemivertebrae resection using a combined approach and short anterior and posterior convex fusion. RESULTS: The mean age at surgery was 4.9 years. The mean follow-up period was 7.6 years. One postoperative complication was encountered: a patient had motor deficit and recovery was incomplete. The mean segmental scoliosis curve was 27.5 degrees before surgery, 10.7 degrees after surgery, and 8.9 degrees at the latest follow-up assessment. This represents a mean improvement of 61.1% after surgery and of 67.6% at the latest follow-up. The total main scoliosis curve improved from 28.4 degrees to 12.7 degrees and 11.4 degrees , respectively. It represents a mean improvement of 55.3% and 59.9%, respectively. The mean final lordosis was within normal values. CONCLUSIONS: This procedure offers a persistent correction with a short-segment fusion. The early surgery is able to avert severe local deformities and prevent secondary structural deformities in order to avoid extensive fusions.

Child↗

PubMed2006

[Scoliosis in children].

The diagnosis of scoliosis is based on the association of kyphosis, vertebral rotation, and lateral deviation of the spine. The clinical examination has to be rigorous in order to rule out a potential etiology for this tridimensional deformity. The assessment of the growth, and of the progressive nature of the scoliosis, is essential before any treatment. For minor deformities, a simple clinical monitoring will be necessary. On the other hand, for moderate deformities, a non-surgical treatment with brace will be recommended. Finally, for severe deformities, the treatment will be a surgical treatment. Surgery will consist of a spinal arthrodesis.

Arthrodesis↗

PubMed2006

Lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis.

We report two cases of lipoblastoma of the buttock in a 10-month-old boy and a 20-month-old girl, the first with rearrangement of chromosome 8 and the second without cytogenetic abnormality, and one case of lipoblastomatosis of a leg in a 6-month-old boy with a normal karyotype but with a rearrangement of the PLAG1 gene. Lipoblastoma and lipoblastomatosis are two different presentation of the same rare benign soft tissue mesenchymal tumour arising from fetal white fat and occurring almost exclusively in young children under 3 years. These neoplasms have no malignant potential but may recur in cases of incomplete resection. Histological diagnosis sometimes used to be difficult because of the close resemblance of the lesion with myxoïd liposarcoma. Nowadays, cytogenetic analysis may contribute to the diagnosis by showing abnormalities of the long arm of chromosome 8, leading to rearrangement of the PLAG1 gene. Actual advances in cytogenetic molecular analysis may aid in accurate diagnosis.

Buttocks↗

PubMed2006

Lumbar hemivertebra resection.

BACKGROUND: A single lumbar hemivertebra can be expected to cause progressive scoliosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of a lumbar hemivertebra resection and short-segment fusion through a combined posterior and anterior approach. METHODS: From 1987 to 2002, a consecutive series of twenty-one patients with congenital scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis due to a lumbar hemivertebra were managed by resection of the hemivertebra through a combined posterior and anterior approach and with the use of a short anterior and posterior convex-side fusion. RESULTS: The mean age at the time of surgery was 3.3 years (range, twelve months to 10.2 years). The mean followup period was 8.6 years. There was a mean improvement of 71.4% in the segmental scoliosis curve from a mean angle of 32.9 degrees before surgery to 9.4 degrees at the time of the latest follow-up assessment, and a mean improvement of 63.9% in the global scoliosis curve from 34.1 degrees to 12.3 degrees. The mean final lordosis was within normal values. CONCLUSIONS: Excision of a lumbar hemivertebra is safe and provides stable correction when combined with a short-segment fusion. Surgery should be performed as early as possible to avert the development of severe local deformities and prevent secondary structural deformities that would require a more extensive fusion later.

Child↗

PubMed2005

First cuneiform osteotomy alters hindfoot architecture.

UNLABELLED: Three-dimensional concepts underlie various congenital foot deformities in the midfoot. We wondered whether the first cuneiform osteotomy, usually indicated for forefoot correction, had an effect on the hindfoot. We retrospectively studied 18 patients (31 feet) with metatarsus adductus and varus who had a biplane first cuneiform osteotomy between 1994 and 2001. No patients had associated malformations or neuromuscular disease. All had persistent pain and functional complaints for at least 2 years before surgery, and all had a minimum followup of 2 years. Group A (13 feet) with forefoot adduction without hindfoot valgus had an isolated first cuneiform osteotomy. Group B (18 feet) with slight forefoot adduction, hindfoot valgus, and supination after hindfoot valgus correction had first cuneiform osteotomy and a subtalar arthrodesis. At 5 years mean followup we evaluated multiple measurements on preoperative and followup weightbearing radiographs. Complementary demographic information and clinical patient information were collected. First cuneiform osteotomy was associated with architectural changes in hindfoot bone angles. This finding suggests new surgical approaches. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Study. Level IV (Case series). See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Growth plate behavior after desepiphysiodesis: experimental study in rabbits.

The aim of this work was to study the potential healing of the growth plate in the case of a central desepiphysiodesis. A central defect was made in the distal femoral growth plate of thirty 3-week-old rabbits. In group A the growth plate defect was left empty as control. The defects of group B were implanted with a polymeric cylinder fixed in the metaphysis with a pin. In group C the cylinder was fixed in the epiphysis. Two months after implantation, clinical, radiologic, and histologic analyses were carried out. In group A, the mean shortening was 12.63%; it was 4.9% in group B and 1.54% in group C. Histologic analysis showed constant appearance of an epiphysiodesis after migration of the implant in the metaphysis. No regeneration of the growth plate was observed. Prevention of migration of the interpositional material is recommended to avoid recurrence of an epiphysiodesis.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hip flexion contracture and lumbar spine lordosis in myelomeningocele.

The objective of this study was to assess the correlation between hip flexion contracture (HFC) and the sagittal alignment of the lumbar spine in ambulatory children with myelomeningocele. Ambulatory patients with myelomeningocele are generally free of scoliosis or kyphosis. Among them, some develop increased lumbar lordosis. It is postulated that HFC and increased lumbar lordosis may be correlated. Thirty-eight patients, with a mean age of 12.7 years, were evaluated. Standing lateral spine films were obtained and the lumbar lordosis was measured using the Cobb method. HFC was measured using the Thomas test. A statistically significant correlation was found between the lumbar curve and HFC. High values of lumbar Cobb angle (hyperlordosis) were correlated with high values of HFC. These results show a correlation between HFC and increased lumbar lordosis in ambulatory myelomeningocele patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nontuberculous spondylodiscitis in children.

Forty-two children with nontuberculous spondylodiscitis treated between 1966 and 1997 were reviewed, and the clinical, paraclinical, and therapeutic results are presented. The study shows the difficulties of diagnosis and understanding the pathophysiology of the disease. Additional information is provided by new imaging techniques, disc aspiration, and biopsy. The mean age at treatment was 4 years 6 months. The initial clinical presentation was often misleading and the diagnosis was often delayed (42 days average). Standard radiographs and technetium bone scans were important for diagnosis and patient follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging and needle aspiration of the disc gave an additional reliable aid in differential diagnosis and helped to guide treatment. Bacteria were isolated in 22 of the 35 samples taken (55% Staphylococcus aureus, 27% Kingella kingae; Coxiella burnetii in one sample). The functional outcome is good if treatment is properly carried out. Disc fibrosis and occasional vertebral fusion develop inevitably in the long term. According to these results, nontuberculous spondylodiscitis is truly osteomyelitis of the spine.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Progressive forearm lengthening with an intramedullary guidewire in children: report of 10 cases.

Indications for forearm lengthening are rare. Between 1994 and 1999, 10 forearm lengthenings were performed in seven children for functional reasons and/or esthetic discomfort. Only one of the two forearm bones was involved in the procedure in all cases. The technique consisted of a transverse osteotomy and progressive distraction after intramedullary nailing. When a bone axis correction was needed, it was performed with a substraction osteotomy in the initial osteotomy site. The distraction device was removed when bone healing was achieved. The authors noted the various complications and assessed the amount of elongation, bone healing, and potential bone axis deviation. Mean follow-up was 4.5 years. Mean elongation was 30.8 mm. Four bone grafts were needed for delayed union. No bone axis deviation was noted. An initial axial correction osteotomy allows an easier lengthening procedure. Use of an intramedullary wire avoids axis deviation. This technique can be helpful in malformative pathologies.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comprehensive treatment of ambulatory children with cerebral palsy: an outcome assessment.

A retrospective study was used to evaluate the outcome of treatment of 135 ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. Diplegic subjects were selected from the existing database at the Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare Motion Analysis Laboratory. All subjects had undergone gait analysis before and after intervention, which included orthopaedic surgery, selective dorsal rhizotomy, or both treatments. Outcome was based on gait pathology, gait efficiency, functional walking ability, and higher-level functional skills. Gait pathology was assessed using 16 clinically relevant kinematic parameters. Gait efficiency was assessed with steady-state oxygen consumption. Walking ability and higher-level functional skills were based on patient report surveys. Improvements were seen in all outcome measures. A significant majority of subjects (79%) improved on a predominance of outcome measures; only 7% of subjects worsened. Within the restrictions of this study design, the results indicate that surgical intervention, guided by preoperative gait analysis, is effective and safe for children with cerebral palsy.

Cerebral Palsy↗