Postural sway patterns in children with autism spectrum disorder compared with typically developing children

Postural control is a fundamental building block of each child's daily activities. The aim of this study was to compare patterns of postural sway in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with typically developing children (TD). We recruited 21 schoolchildren diagnosed with ASD aged 9–14 and 30 TD pupils aged 8–15. Postural sway parameters in composite, anteroposterior and mediolateral axis were reported. Furthermore we examined the impact of age and characteristics of autism on postural sway. Children with ASD exhibited higher amount of sway in anteroposterior range (p < 0.001), mediolateral range (p = 0.002), root mean square (p = 0.001), mean velocity (p = 0.03), and sway area (p = 0.007) compared with their TD peers. Children with ASD showed higher instability in mediolateral than anteroposterior axis though TD children demonstrated higher sway scores in anteroposterior than mediolateral direction. The rate of autism symptom severity significantly affected the postural sway in children with ASD (p < 0.05). In conclusion, patterns of postural control seem to be different in children with ASD compared with TD counterparts. This could be partially due to clinical features were underlying in ASD.     

Cross-Cultural Adaptation,Reliability, and Validity of The Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist in Persian

Objective

The objectives of the current study were to translate and adapt Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) into Persian language and to investigate its reliability and validity in an Iranian autistic sample.

Methods

A total sample of 134 children with autism spectrum disorders aged 6-15 years were assigned to the study. The process of cross-cultural adaptation was performed according to international methodological steps as following: translation, back-translation, revision by an expert committee and pretest. A sample of 20 primary caregivers of autistic children were pretested. The content validity of the ATEC was reviewed by the expert committee all through the stages. The construct quality of the questionnaire was evaluated by comparison of the adapted version of the instrument with similar tests assessed similar factors. Moreover, the reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated through stability and homogeneity assessments.

Findings

The results showed good content validity and internal consistency (Cronbach''s alpha: 0.86-0.93). In relation to construct validity, there was significant correlation between ATEC subscales and raw data obtained from Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) (r=0.38-0.79). The Intraclass Correlation Coefficient for the test–retest reliability was excellent for all the subscales and also for total scores (ICC: 0.79 - 0.93).

Conclusion

Cross-cultural adaptation of ATEC was successful. The psychometric properties were verified and indicated that the adapted questionnaire is valid and reliable to use in Iranian culture.     

Treatment of Low-Flow Vascular Malformations of the Extremities Using MR-Guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound: Preliminary Experience

Five patients with painful vascular malformations of the extremities that were refractory to standard treatment and were confirmed as low-flow malformations on dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging were treated with MR imaging–guided high intensity focused ultrasound. Daily maximum numeric rating scale scores for pain improved from 8.4 ± 1.5 to 1.6 ± 2.2 (P = .004) at a median follow-up of 9 months (range, 4–36 mo). The size of the vascular malformations decreased on follow-up MR imaging (median enhancing volume, 8.2 mL [0.7–10.1 mL] before treatment; 0 mL [0–2.3 mL] after treatment; P = .018) at a median follow-up of 5 months (range, 3–36 mo). No complications occurred.     

Patient experience of CT colonography and colonoscopy after fecal occult blood test in a national screening programme

Objective

To investigate patient experience of CT colonography (CTC) and colonoscopy in a national screening programme.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patient experience postal questionnaires. We included screenees from a fecal occult blood test (FOBt) based screening programme, where CTC was performed when colonoscopy was incomplete or deemed unsuitable. We analyzed questionnaire responses concerning communication of test risks, test-related discomfort and post-test pain, as well as complications. CTC and colonoscopy responses were compared using multilevel logistic regression.

Results

Of 67,114 subjects identified, 52,805 (79 %) responded. Understanding of test risks was lower for CTC (1712/1970?=?86.9 %) than colonoscopy (48783/50975?=?95.7 %, p?<?0.0001). Overall, a slightly greater proportion of screenees found CTC unexpectedly uncomfortable (506/1970?=?25.7 %) than colonoscopy (10,705/50,975?=?21.0 %, p?<?0.0001). CTC was tolerated well as a completion procedure for failed colonoscopy (unexpected discomfort; CTC?=?26.3 %: colonoscopy?=?57.0 %, p?<?0.001). Post-procedural pain was equally common (CTC: 288/1970,14.6 %, colonoscopy: 7544/50,975,14.8 %; p?=?0.55). Adverse event rates were similar in both groups (CTC: 20/2947?=?1.2 %; colonoscopy: 683/64,312?=?1.1 %), but generally less serious with CTC.

Conclusions

Even though CTC was reserved for individuals either unsuitable for or unable to complete colonoscopy, we found only small differences in test-related discomfort. CTC was well tolerated as a completion procedure and was extremely safe. CTC can be delivered across a national screening programme with high patient satisfaction.

Key Points

? High patient satisfaction at CTC is deliverable across a national screening programme. ? Patients who cannot tolerate screening colonoscopy are likely to find CTC acceptable. ? CTC is extremely safe; complications are rare and almost never serious. ? Patients may require more detailed information regarding the expected discomfort of CTC.

     

Magnetic-resonance-guided focused ultrasound treatment of non-spinal osteoid osteoma in children: multicentre experience

Pediatric Radiology - Osteoid osteoma is a benign and painful musculoskeletal tumour that usually affects children. Current standard treatment is CT-guided radiofrequency ablation, a minimally...     

多中心随机对照试验比较有症状病人对CT结肠成像与双重对比钡灌肠的接受程度

目的判定病人对钡剂灌肠(BE)和CT结肠成像(CTC)两种检查方法的接受程度。方法在获得伦理批准后,921例有可疑结肠癌症状的病人同意接受检查,并被完全随机分为2组:BE606例,CTC315例。通过对病人进行问卷调查来评估检查过程的感受,包括肠道准备、操作过程和并发