Chang Il Park

Colonic transit time and constipation in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVESnTo evaluate colonic motility and to investigate contributing factors to colonic dysmotility in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP).nnnDESIGNnCross-sectional study.nnnSETTINGnA university-based rehabilitation hospital.nnnPARTICIPANTSnThirty-eight children with spastic CP.nnnINTERVENTIONSnNot applicable.nnnMAIN OUTCOME MEASURESnColonic transit time was measured by using a Sitzmarks. The nutrient intake during 3 consecutive days was analyzed by using the ESHA Food Processor program.nnnRESULTSnA significant relationship between colon transit time and stool frequency was observed (P<.05). All children with constipation and 17 (60.8%) of 28 without constipation showed an abnormal segmental colon transit time in at least 1 segment of the colon. A transit time delay at the proximal segment of colon was remarkable in CP children with constipation. In children without constipation, a transit time delay was marked at the rectosigmoid colon only. Constipation and transit time delay were significantly related to ambulatory function (P<.05).nnnCONCLUSIONSnA transit time delay at total or segmental colon was frequently observed in children with CP. Constipation and colonic motility were related to ambulatory function.

Anatomy and magnetic resonance imaging of the posterolateral structures of the knee

The purpose of the present study was to provide detailed information of the morphological and radiological characteristics of the posterolateral structures of the knee. Muscles and ligaments of the posterolateral part of the knee were studied by dissections of 50 adult cadaver knees and by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) before and after dissections for comparisons. Diverse morphological characteristics of the arcuate ligament were found. The fabellofibular ligament was present in 42.1% of the knees dissected, whereas the popliteofibular ligament was found in 37.5%. A ligamentous structure, which could be called the posterior tibial ligament, was found in 31.6% of the cases that originated from the lateral part of the capsule proximally and inserted distally on the mid portion of the proximal tibia. By comparing the cross sections and the dissections of the cadaver knees, the popliteus muscle, the arcuate ligament, the fibular collateral ligament, the popliteofibular ligament, and the fabellofibular ligament could be identified in MRI. Comprehensive understanding of the posterolateral anatomy of the knee and improved identification of the structures in MRI will help clinicians to make a more accurate and noninvasive diagnosis of posterolateral instability. Clin. Anat. 10:397–404, 1997.

Comparison of the ratio of upper to lower chest wall in children with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and normally developed children.

The upper chest wall does not grow properly in children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) with paradoxical breathing. This suggests that long-term inability to take a deep breath in developing children may result in underdevelopment of the upper chest wall. In addition, a rapid and paradoxical breathing pattern is frequently observed in children with severe cerebral palsy (CP), which often corresponds to the underdevelopment of the upper chest wall. The present study is designed to evaluate the ratio of the upper to lower chest wall in children with severe spastic quadriplegic CP, compared with normal children. We compared normal children with children that had spastic quadriplegic CP who did not have kyphosis or scoliosis. Test subjects were matched in terms of age, height, and weight. The diameters of upper chest (Dapex) and of lower chest (Dbase) were measured on the anteroposterior (AP) view of a chest X-ray and the Dapex to Dbase ratio was calculated. In selected cases the forced vital capacity (FVC) was measured using a Wright Respirometer. The Dapex to Dbase ratio was significantly lower in the CP group than in the control group (p<0.001). The ratio increased linearly with age (p<0.001) in both CP (R = 0.372) and control groups (R = 0.477). The FVC/preFVC showed significant correlation with the Dapex to Dbase ratio (R = 0.542, p<0.01). The results of this study suggest a deviation of optimal chest wall structure in children with spastic quadriplegic CP.

The effect of botulinum toxin type A injection into the gastrocnemius muscle on sit-to-stand transfer in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy

Objective: To investigate the benefit of botulinum toxin type A injection into the ankle plantarflexor muscle on sit-to-stand transfer in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Design: Case-control study. Setting: Inpatients in a university-affiliated hospital. Subjects: Forty spastic diplegic children aged from 2 to 6 years (18 children with botulinum toxin type A injection into both gastrocnemius muscles as an experimental group and 14 children without injection as a control group). Main measures: Sit-to-stand transfer task was evaluated using a motion analyser (Vicon 370 MA with six infrared cameras). The tests were performed twice with a two-week interval. The changes in temporal, kinematic and kinetic parameters were investigated in each group. Results: In the control group there were no significant changes in any of the measured parameters between the tests. In the experimental group, total duration (s) of sit-to-stand transfer was shortened after injection (4.359 ± 2.49 to 2.899 ± 1.48, P < 0.05). The maximal angles (degrees) of pelvic and hip joints were reduced (28.889 ± 5.53 to 26.579 ± 3.73 and 90.789 ± 8.69 to 87.239 ± 8.76) and the initial angle of ankle dorsiflexion was increased (4.419 ± 6.16 to 7.089 ± 6.09) after injection (P < 0.05). The maximal moments (Nm/kg) of the hip and knee joints (0.449 ± 0.17 to 0.519 ± 0.21 and 0.139 ± 0.05 to 0.189 ± 0.14) were increased while that of the ankle joint was reduced (0.329 ± 0.09 to 0.289 ± 0.10) after injection (P < 0.05). Only the cases with greater reduction of spasticity showed an improvement on kinematic and kinetic parameters. Conclusion: Botulinum toxin type A injection into spastic ankle plantarflexors led to better accomplishment of sit-to-stand transfer in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy.

Characteristics of psychosexual functioning in adults with cerebral palsy

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of psychosexual functioning in adults with cerebral palsy, as compared with able-bodied control subjects, matched by gender and marital status, and to identify the factors affecting psychosexual functioning. Design: Interview and survey using the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory (DSFI). Setting: Inpatient and outpatient units in a rehabilitation hospital and welfare facilities. Subjects: Sixty-two adults with cerebral palsy and 142 age-matched able-bodied controls participated in this study. The participants were grouped into four subgroups according to gender and marital status. Main measures: General characteristics of the subjects, 10 domain scores of the DSFI and Sexual Functioning Index (SFI) as a global score were assessed. The scores for each cerebral palsy group according to gender and marital status were compared with those of their corresponding able-bodied control group. Results: Unmarried men with cerebral palsy demonstrated lower SFI and weakness in sexual information, experience, drive, attitude, psychological symptoms, affect and satisfaction, compared with unmarried able-bodied men (p B=0.05). In contrast to unmarried men, unmarried women did not reveal any significant differences in all but body image domain score (p B=0.05) between the groups. Married adults with cerebral palsy showed higher levels of psychological distress in both men and women and lower sexual satisfaction in women (p B=0.05). Nonambulatory people with cerebral palsy had significantly a lower sexual information, experience and satisfaction, and a lower SFI than ambulatory (p B=0.05). Barthel Index was significantly related to body image (p B=0.05). Psychosexual functioning was not significantly different according to cerebral palsy type. Conclusion: This study revealed the characteristics on psychosexual functioning in adults with cerebral palsy, depending on gender and marital status. The results suggested that nonambulatory unmarried men with cerebral palsy were at high risk in terms of psychosexual dysfunction.

Soft Tissue Surgery for Equinus Deformity in Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: Effects on Kinematic and Kinetic Parameters

The purpose of this study was to evaluate how soft tissue surgery for correcting equinus deformity affects the kinematic and kinetic parameters of the ankle and proximal joints. Sixteen children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy and equinus deformities (age range 3-16 years) were included. Soft tissue surgeries were performed exclusively on the ankle joint area in all subjects. Using computerized gait analysis (Vicon 370 Motion Analysis System), the kinematic and kinetic parameters during barefoot ambulation were collected preoperatively and postoperatively. In all 16 children, the abnormally increased ankle plantar flexion and pelvis anterior tilting on the sagittal plane were significantly improved without a weakening of push-off (p < 0.05). In a group of 8 subjects with a recurvatum knee gait pattern before operation, the postoperative kinematic and kinetic parameters of the knee joint were significantly improved (p < 0.05). In a group of 8 subjects with ipsilateral pelvic external rotation before operation, the postoperative pelvic deviations on the transverse plane were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the soft tissue surgery for correcting equinus deformity improves not only the abnormal gait pattern of the ankle, but also that of the knee and pelvis.

Increased GABA-A Receptor Binding and Reduced Connectivity at the Motor Cortex in Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Multimodal Investigation Using 18F-Fluoroflumazenil PET, Immunohistochemistry, and MR Imaging

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-A receptor–mediated neural transmission is important to promote practice-dependent plasticity after brain injury. This study investigated alterations in GABA-A receptor binding and functional and anatomic connectivity within the motor cortex in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: We conducted 18F-fluoroflumazenil PET on children with hemiplegic CP to investigate whether in vivo GABA-A receptor binding is altered in the ipsilateral or contralateral hemisphere of the lesion site. To evaluate changes in the GABA-A receptor subunit after prenatal brain injury, we performed GABA-A receptor immunohistochemistry using rat pups with a diffuse hypoxic ischemic insult. We also performed diffusion tensor MR imaging and resting-state functional MR imaging on the same children with hemiplegic CP to investigate alterations in anatomic and functional connectivity at the motor cortex with increased GABA-A receptor binding. Results: In children with hemiplegic CP, the 18F-fluoroflumazenil binding potential was increased within the ipsilateral motor cortex. GABA-A receptors with the α1 subunit were highly expressed exclusively within cortical layers III, IV, and VI of the motor cortex in rat pups. The motor cortex with increased GABA-A receptor binding in children with hemiplegic CP had reduced thalamocortical and corticocortical connectivity, which might be linked to increased GABA-A receptor distribution in cortical layers in rats. Conclusion: Increased expression of the GABA-A receptor α1 subunit within the ipsilateral motor cortex may be an important adaptive mechanism after prenatal brain injury in children with CP but may be associated with improper functional connectivity after birth and have adverse effects on the development of motor plasticity.

Clinical features and outcomes following bilateral lower limb amputation in Korea

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the clinical features and outcomes of 43 bilateral lower limb amputees. The clinical features obtained included the causes of amputation, level of amputation, concurrent medical problems, and stump condition. Outcome measures were obtained using the activities of daily living (ADL) index, the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI), and mobility grading with prostheses or wheelchair. Of 33 amputees who were prosthetic ambulators, 22 (67%), mainly bilateral trans-tibial (TT) amputees, were community ambulators, and participated in activities which included stair-walking, and six of 11 household ambulators were combination trans-femoral (TF) and TT amputees. Of 10 amputees who were wheelchair ambulators, only one was able to perform wheelchair transfers independently and five were independent wheelchair ambulators. Using the ADL index and FAI, there was no significant difference in scores according to the level of amputation (p > 0.05), but the scores of community prosthetic ambulators were significantly higher than those of wheelchair ambulators (p < 0.05). Age was found to be negatively correlated with ADL index and FAI scores (r = −0.518 vs. r = −0.550) (p < 0.01). This study concludes that overall independence in ADL after bilateral lower limb amputation improved with young age and prosthetic mobility.