Journal of pediatric orthopedics
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Thirty consecutive patients with congenital spinal deformity underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the incidence of occult intraspinal anomaly. These congenital spinal deformities included 29 cases of congenital scoliosis and one case of congenital kyphosis. Physical examination findings and plain radiographs were reviewed in an attempt to correlate these findings with subsequent intraspinal pathology. ⋯ In patients with a congenital spinal deformity, we found nine (30%) of 30 to have an associated anomaly within the spinal canal. Only three of these nine had plain radiographs and physical examination findings suggestive of their subsequent MRI findings. Given the poor correlation between findings on physical examination, plain radiographs, and subsequent occult intraspinal anomalies on MRI, we believe that MRI is helpful in evaluating patients with congenital spinal anomalies.
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To define the risk of spinal deformity after selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) for the treatment of spasticity due to cerebral palsy, 43 patients were reviewed before and after the procedure. The average length of follow-up was 5.3 years with a range of 2-9 years. Scoliosis was present in three patients before rhizotomy. ⋯ Five patients were placed in braces, and three patients went on to have surgical stabilization of their deformities. For the entire group, the risk of developing a structural spinal deformity was 36%, with 6% requiring stabilization at an average of 4.9 years after SDR. Older age, more severe neurologic impairment, and preexisting spinal deformity seems to increase this risk.
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A retrospective review was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of primary nonoperative treatment (closed reduction and long-arm casting) along with pins and plaster as a salvage technique for those reduction failures. A total of 730 closed fractures (1987-1993) was compiled, of which 300 required closed reductions and casting. ⋯ Complications in the group treated in this manner included two superficial pin infections treated with antibiotics and two forearms with moderate loss of pronation/supination not requiring treatment. We believe that closed reduction of pediatric forearm fractures remains the accepted standard and the technique of pins and plaster should be considered a reliable alternative for the unstable injuries.
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We studied 12 children who had minimally displaced lateral humeral condyle fractures. Bony gaps at the fracture site were <2 mm on the anteroposterior view of plain radiographs. To determine the stability of the fractures, we used a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of the distal humerus and elbow joint. ⋯ Type I showed that the line coursed from the lateral metaphysis to the growth plate but not through it. In type II, the line crossed the growth plate to enter the joint space. We concluded that the MRI study distinguished the potentially unstable fracture (type II) from the minimally displaced fracture and recommend the use of a percutaneous pin fixation for the expected unstable fracture.
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The control of postoperative pain in the pediatric orthopaedic patient is a challenging endeavor. Several studies have shown the efficacy of ketorolac tromethamine in the pediatric general surgical population, but its efficacy in the pediatric orthopaedic population remains unproven. Twenty-seven consecutive patients (age 6 months to 18 years) who underwent long-bone osteotomies or foot procedures by a group of three pediatric orthopaedic surgeons were given a ketorolac protocol (1 mg/kg loading, 0.5 mg/kg every 6 h for 24 h). ⋯ Finally, the patients in the ketorolac group had a significantly shorter length of stay (3.63 +/- 1.64 days vs. 4.74 +/- 1.76 days; p < 0.05). There were no bleeding complications in either group. Ketorolac is thus a safe and effective means of controlling postoperative pain in the pediatric orthopaedic population while avoiding the troubling maleffects seen with the exclusive use of morphine.