Transient structural MRI patterns correlate with the motor functions in preterm infants

AimTo explore the relationships between transient structural brain patterns on MRI at preterm and at term-equivalent age (TEA) as a predictor of general movements (GMs) and motor development at 1-year corrected age (CA) in very preterm infants.MethodsIn this prospective study, 30 very preterm infants (median = 28wks; 16 males) had structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at preterm (median = 31wks + 6d) and at TEA (median = 40wks) and neuromotor assessments. The quality of GMs was assessed by Prechtl’s general movements assessment and a detailed analysis of the motor repertoire was performed by calculating a motor optimality score (MOS), both at term age and at 3 months post-term. Motor development at 1-year CA was evaluated with the Infant Motor Profile (IMP). Associations between qualitative MRI findings and neuromotor scores were investigated.ResultsAbnormal GMs and low motor performance at 1-year CA were associated with the poor visibility of transient structural pattern, that is with sagittal strata.InterpretationTransient structural MRI pattern, sagittal strata, at preterm age is related to the quality of GMs and later motor development in preterm infants. This transient fetal brain compartment may be considered as a component of neurobiological basis for early neuromotor behavior, as expressed by GMs.     

Postoperative alignment in revision total knee arthroplasty,a comparison between intra and extra-medullary tibial alignment

BackgroundRevision total knee arthroplasty commonly involves stemmed components. If the diaphysis is engaged, this technique may be problematic for mechanical alignment (MA) in cases of tibial bowing, which are not infrequent (up to 30%).The aim of this study is to compare an intra-medullary(IM) and extra-medullary(EM) alignment method. We hypothesized that IM technique and canal-filling stems may result more frequently in valgus MA. On the other hand, an EM technique could produce less valgus knees but is at risk of creating MA outliers.MethodA retrospective radiographic analysis of revision TKAs was performed. The patients were divided to either the EM or IM alignment group and compared on the overall post-operative MA. The following parameters were measured on standing, long leg x-rays: Hip-knee-Ankle angle (HKA), mechanical lateral distal femoral angle and mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA).Results119 cases of revision TKAs were included (EM = 80, IM = 39). There was a difference between the EM and IM group for the mean mMPTA (89.94° vs 90.92°, effect size = 0.45, p = 0.013) and HKA angle (1.64° vs 0.05°, effect size = 0.52, p = 0.0064). A higher proportion of IM patients were in overall valgus alignment (16/39, 41%) vs EM group (16/80, 20%, p = 0.0134). Both techniques showed the same proportion of outliers, defined as HKA angle more than 5 degrees from neutral mechanical alignment (11/80 vs 5/39, p = 0.286).ConclusionThe extra-medullary alignment method with short cemented stems creates less valgus mechanical alignment than the intra-medullary technique with press-fit stems, without creating more MA outliers.     

A New Computer Assisted Orthopaedic Surgery System： WATO

Background： The traditional manual orthopaedic technology heavily re- lies on a surgeon＇s experience, so it certainly increases the instability of the surgery. Therefore, computer assisted orthopaedic surgery （CAOS） is becoming a hot research topic for its high accuracy and stability. We developed a new CAOS system WATO, which is mainly designed for total knee replacement （TKR）. Methods： WATO system provides the interactive software for a surgeon＇s preoperative planning. Based on its two infrared cameras, infrared markers and infrared probe, WATO system gives a simple surgical positioning procedure of femur and tibia without additional surgery for the placement of fiducial markers. According to the reference alignment axis from positioning procedure, a surgeon can move the robot of WATO system to do accurate bone resection. Safety checking is also considered in WATO system. Results： Extensive experiments were conducted on phantoms and cadaver bones to verify the accuracy and stability of WATO system. Experimental results showed that TKR using WATO system had better performance compared with traditional and navigated TKR. Conclusion： WATO system shows its superiority in TKR, and has a broad application prospect in the future. We will develop its new functions for other orthopaedic surgery such as total hip replacement （THR）. Current disadvantages such as bigger skin incision have to be resolved in the future.     

Reliability of the Cutting Alignment Scoring Tool (CAST) to Assess Trunk and Limb Alignment During a 45-Degree Side-Step Cut

BackgroundThree-dimensional (3D) motion analysis is considered the gold standard for evaluating human movement. However, its clinical utility is limited due to cost, operating expertise, and lengthy data processing time. Numerous qualitative scoring systems have been introduced to assess trunk and lower extremity biomechanics during functional tasks. However, the reliability of qualitative scoring systems to evaluate cutting movements is understudied. Purpose/Hypotheses: To assess the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the Cutting Alignment Scoring Tool (CAST) among sports medicine providers and to evaluate rater agreement of each component of the CAST. The hypotheses were: 1) there would be good–to-excellent inter-rater and intra-rater reliability among sports medicine providers, 2) there would be good to almost perfect agreement for cut width and trunk lean variables and moderate to good agreement for valgus variables of the CAST.Study DesignRepeated MeasuresMethodsTen videos of a 45-degree side-step cut performed by adolescent athletes were independently rated on two occasions by six raters (2 medical doctors, 2 physical therapists, and 2 athletic trainers). The variables assessed include trunk lean to the opposite direction of the cut, increased cut width, knee valgus at initial load acceptance (static), and knee valgus throughout the task (dynamic). Variables were scored as either present, which were given a score of “1”, or not present, which were given a score of “0”. Video sequence was randomized in each rating session, and a two-week wash out period was given.ResultsThe cumulative inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities were good (ICC: 0.808 and ICC: 0.753). Almost perfect kappa coefficients were recorded for cut width (k=0.949). Moderate kappa coefficients were found for trunk lean (k= 0.632) and fair kappa coefficients were noted for dynamic and static valgus (k=0.462 and k= 0.533 respectively).ConclusionThese findings suggest that the CAST is a reliable tool to evaluate trunk and LE alignment during a cutting task by sports medicine providers.Level of EvidenceLevel 2 Diagnosis     

Evaluation of border movement of the mandible before and after orthognathic surgery using a kinesiograph

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the changes in the mandibular border movement between class II and class III jaw deformity patients before and after orthognathic surgery, by using the same device.Subjectsand Methods: Eighty one patients (28 in class II and 53 in class III) who underwent sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) with Le Fort I osteotomy using absorbable plate fixation and 27 controls with normal occlusion were enrolled. Mandibular border movement (observed using a kinesiograph) was recorded with a mandibular movement measure system (K7) before surgery, and at 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Time-course changes of 5 components of the mandibular border movement (MVO: Maximum vertical opening, CO to MAP: Maximum antero-posterior movement from centric occlusion, MLDL: maximum lateral deviation left, MLDR: maximum lateral deviation right, CO to MO: centric occlusion to maximum opening) were compared between classes II, III and controls statistically. The relationship between lateral cephalometric measurements and the components of mandibular border movement was also examined.ResultsThere was a significant difference in CO to MAP (P = 0.0025) and CO to MO (P < 0.0001) between class II and class III in the time-course change.In class III, mean and standard deviation of MVO were 44.5 ± 6.7 mm before surgery and 39.8 ± 6.8 mm after 1 year. Mean and standard deviation of CO to MAP were 25.2 ± 6.8 mm before surgery and 21.5 ± 7.9 mm after 1 year. Mean and standard deviation of CO to MO were 53.4 ± 9.0 mm before surgery and 47.3 ± 8.4 mm after 1 year.In class II, mean and standard deviation of MVO were 38.8 ± 5.8 mm before surgery and 36.2 ± 7.4 mm after 1 year. Mean and standard deviation of CO to MAP were 18.0 ± 6.3 mm before surgery and 17.8 ± 7.4 mm after 1 year. Mean and standard deviation of CO to MO were 43.1 ± 7.5 mm before surgery and 39.6 ± 10.5 mm after 1 year.In MVO, CO to MAP and CO to MO, the values after 1 year did not significantly reach the pre-operative values in class III (P = 0.0001, P = 0.0007 and P < 0.0001), although there was no significant difference between pre-operation and after 1 year in class II.In CO to MO, class II (mean and standard deviation 39.6 ± 10.5 mm) and class III (mean and standard deviation 47.3 ± 8.4 mm) still remained smaller values than control (mean and standard deviation 52.7 ± 9.2 mm) after 1 year (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0095).ConclusionThis study suggests that bi-maxillary surgery can have more influence on the reduction in the range of mandibular border movement including vertical or antero-posterior motion than lateral deviation motion, in both groups. The difference in the time-course change in the mandibular border movement between the groups might depend more on the mandibular length than on the movement direction of the mandible by surgery such as advancement or setback.     

What factors affect the attachment of the inferior alveolar nerve to the buccal plate following sagittal split osteotomy?

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the factors that can possibly affect the positioning of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) in the proximal or distal segment following sagittal split osteotomy (SSO).Materials and methodsThis was a prospective cohort study. The patients were assigned according to the position of the IAN: the IAN was attached to the buccal plate in group 1 (27 SSOs), while it was in the distal segment in group 2 (83 SSOs).ResultsThe mean of the buccolingual thickness of the proximal segment at the vertical cut of the osteotomy (BLTP) was 5.0 ± 0.62 mm in group 1 and 4.16 ± 0.72 mm in group 2. The mean of the distance between the IAN and the external cortical bone at the distal of the second molar before the osteotomy (IANB) was 0.5 ± 0.24 mm in group 1 and 1.24 ± 0.45 mm in group 2. There were significant differences for the mean BLTP and IANB between the two groups (P = 0.001).ConclusionIt seems that the thickness of the buccal plate of the proximal segment, the distance from the IAN to the external cortical bone, the osteotomy technique, and the presence or absence of impacted third molars may be associated with the positioning of the IAN following SSO.     

矢状切面在妊娠早期超声筛查胎儿腭裂中的价值

目的探讨矢状切面在妊娠早期超声筛查胎儿腭裂中的价值。 方法回顾性选择2018年1月至2019年12月广东省妇幼保健院的31例妊娠早期腭裂的胎儿,分析头颈部超声检查矢状切面的异常征象,总结不同类型腭裂在矢状切面的超声表现以及其他结构异常情况。 结果（1）超声声像图表现：28例出现上颌骨间隙（90.3%,28/31）,其中14例为单侧腭裂,5例为双侧腭裂,9例为正中腭裂;27例表现为缺失“重叠线征”（87.1%,27/31）,其中正中腭裂5例,单侧腭裂15例,双侧腭裂6例,单纯腭裂1例;6例颌骨前突（19.4%,6/31）,均为双侧唇腭裂。（2）合并其他结构异常情况：妊娠早期及妊娠中期诊断腭裂病例中,合并胎儿结构异常分别占75.0%（15/20）、45.5%（5/11）,颈项透明层增厚分别占60.0%（12/20）、36.4%（4/11）。 结论矢状切面上颌间隙和缺失“重叠线征”是妊娠早期筛查胎儿腭裂的重要线索,颌骨前突是双侧腭裂的特征性超声表现。     

Relationship Between Juncturae Tendinum and Sagittal Bands

The juncturae tendinum and sagittal bands transmit precise forces through the dorsum of the hand. Both structures are integral in the mechanics of normal digital extension and in stabilization of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. Extensor tendon injury, or rupture/attenuation of sagittal bands and/or juncturae tendinum, may disrupt the kinematic chain and lead to a number of abnormal hand postures and motions. Early treatment of extensor tendon and/or sagittal band injury is dependent upon proper recognition of primary pathology. Proper evaluation and the use of special clinical tests should be implemented to rule out other pathologies. Once diagnosed, treatment may consist of relative motion splinting and standard pain/edema control measures to increase joint motion, tendon excursion, and functional use of the hand.     

退变性腰椎侧凸脊柱-骨盆矢状位影像学特点

目的 :观察退变性腰椎侧凸(DLS)患者脊柱-骨盆矢状位影像学特点,探讨脊柱-骨盆矢状位参数变化对DLS发生的影响。方法:回顾性分析103例DLS患者术前资料,男36例,女67例,年龄62.6±7.4(43~78)岁,并选取139例正常青年人群作为正常青年对照组,145例单纯颈椎病患者作为成年对照组,在脊柱全长正侧位X线片上测量各组冠状位、矢状位参数,包括L3倾斜角、侧凸Cobb角、冠状位平衡(CVA)、腰椎前凸角(LL)、矢状位平衡(SVA)、胸椎后凸角(TK)、骨盆入射角(PI)、骨盆倾斜角(PT)、骶骨倾斜角(SS)等,采用独立样本t检验比较DLS组与两对照组的各矢状位参数,并用Pearson相关分析DLS组各参数间相关性。结果:DLS组PI为50.4°±10.2°,显著高于正常青年对照组(45.1°±9.6°,P0.01)和成年对照组(46.9°±9.1°,P0.01)。与青年及成年对照组相比,DLS组LL、SS较小(P0.01),PT、SVA较大(P0.01);TK小于成年对照组(P0.01)。DLS组中合并退变性腰椎滑脱者37例(占35.9%),PI为53.1°±8.8°;无退变性腰椎滑脱者66例,PI为48.9°±10.6°,二者相比有统计学差异且均显著高于正常青年对照组(P0.05)。DLS组侧凸Cobb角与PT显著相关(P0.05),余冠状位参数与矢状位参数间未发现相关性;LL、PI、SS、PT两两之间显著相关(P0.01),LL、PT与TK显著相关(P0.01),SS与TK显著相关(P0.05),LL与SVA显著相关(P0.01)。结论 :DLS患者PI高于正常青年及颈椎病患者,高PI可能参与了DLS的发病机制;DLS患者退变、侧凸的腰椎仍存在调节矢状位平衡的能力。     

An Anatomic Study on Whether the Patella is Centered in an Ideal Anteroposterior Radiograph of the Knee

BackgroundCurrently, an anteroposterior radiograph of the knee is judged based on a centered position of the patella between the femoral condyles. We are not aware of any anatomic literature supporting this recommendation.Questions/PurposesOrthogonal images are required for accurate assessment of knee deformity. Although an image with the patella centered at the distal femur is generally accepted as a true anteroposterior (AP) radiograph of the knee, there is minimal anatomic data to support that this view is orthogonal to a true lateral view of the knee where the condyles are overlapped. We designed an anatomical study to test the relationship between these two radiographic views.MethodsWe studied 428 well-preserved cadaveric skeletons ranging from 40 to 79 years of age at death. Centering of the patella was calculated based on distal femoral and patellar widths. Multiple regression analysis was then performed to determine the relationship between patellar centering and age, gender, ethnicity, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), femoral anteversion, and contralateral centering.ResultsAverage patellar centering was 0.13 ± 0.04, indicating that the average patella was laterally positioned in the distal femur. Only mLDFA and contralateral centering showed statistically significant independent correlations with patellar centering with modest standardized beta coefficients of 0.10 and 0.23, respectively.ConclusionsIn the average specimen, the patella is laterally deviated by 13% of the condylar width. Clinicians should be aware that a lateral view with the femoral condyles overlapped is not always orthogonal to a patella-centered AP view when planning and implementing deformity correction.

Electronic supplementary material

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