Journal of child neurology
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Severe scoliosis in Rett syndrome is an important orthopedic, neurologic, and pediatric problem. The curve in Rett syndrome is of a neurologic type, has its highest incidence during early childhood, and shows rapid progression. In this study, the authors report the results of a 4-year follow-up of a 10-year-old Rett syndrome female patient with early onset and severe rapid progressive thoracolumbar scoliosis. ⋯ Operative treatment regimes and etiology of severe spinal deformities in Rett syndrome were discussed. The high perioperative risks in Rett syndrome patients who underwent spinal surgery may be reduced by an early cooperation between orthopedic and pediatric specialists. When considering recent data from literature, it can be concluded that an early correction of spine deformities in Rett syndrome patients may prevent a life-threatening collapsing spine syndrome.
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Case Reports
Pontine mass presenting as anxiety, obsessions, and severe eating problems: a case report.
Psychiatric symptoms are rarely reported as presenting symptoms in brainstem gliomas in children, with anxiety being the most common one. An 8-year-old girl patient had loss of appetite, weight loss, and difficulty in swallowing severe enough to warrant parenteral nutrition and hospitalization. ⋯ However, because of unremitting hiccups and left-sided weakness, brain imaging was conducted, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a diffuse pontine mass. The possible explanations for the relationship between the pontine mass and the psychiatric symptoms are discussed.