Hartmut Böhm

Avoiding CT scans in children with single-suture craniosynostosis

IntroductionDuring the last decades, computed tomography (CT) has become the predominant imaging technique in the diagnosis of craniosynostosis. In most craniofacial centers, at least one three-dimensional (3D) computed tomographic scan is obtained in every case of suspected craniosynostosis. However, with regard to the risk of radiation exposure particularly in young infants, CT scanning and even plain radiography should be indicated extremely carefully.Material and methodsOur current diagnostic protocol in the management of single-suture craniosynostosis is mainly based on careful clinical examination with regard to severity and degree of the abnormality and on ophthalmoscopic surveillance. Imaging techniques consist of ultrasound examination in young infants while routine plain radiographs are usually postponed to the date of surgery or the end of the first year. CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are confined to special diagnostic problems rarely encountered in isolated craniosynostosis. The results of this approach were evaluated retrospectively in 137 infants who were referred to our outpatient clinic for evaluation and/or treatment of suspected single suture craniosynostosis or positional deformity during a 2-year period (2008–2009).ResultsIn 133 (97.1%) of the 137 infants, the diagnosis of single-suture craniosynostosis (n = 110) or positional plagiocephaly (n = 27) was achieved through clinical analysis only. Two further cases were classified by ultrasound, while the remaining two cases needed additional digital radiographs. In no case was CT scanning retrospectively considered necessary for establishing the diagnosis. Yet in 17.6% of cases, a cranial CT scan had already been performed elsewhere (n = 16) or had been definitely scheduled (n = 8).ConclusionCT scanning is rarely necessary for evaluation of single-suture craniosynostosis. Taking into account that there is a quantifiable risk of developing cancer in further lifetime, every single CT scan should be carefully indicated.

Resorbable versus titanium osteosynthesis devices in bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy of the mandible — the results of a two centre randomised clinical study with an eight-year follow-up

BACKGROUND This study was conducted to compare the long-term clinical outcome of patients with jaw disproportion who had had fixation with resorbable polylactic acid containing positioning screws with those who had had titanium positioning screws in bilateral sagittal split ramus osteotomy of the mandible (BSSO). PATIENTS AND METHODS Sixty-six patients with isolated mandibular jaw disproportion were included and divided randomly into two treatment groups (resorbable and titanium). Patients were followed for 8 years postoperatively using a standardised protocol. Material-specific complications, functional problems and clinical findings within the former operation field were documented. Treatment stability was determined by occlusion criteria. RESULTS Thirty-four patients (54%) were followed until the end of the study. No significant differences were observed in the outcomes of patients in the two groups related to the materials used for osteosynthesis or the long-term treatment stability. During the study, no foreign body reactions were observed. CONCLUSION This study showed that resorbable and titanium positioning screws were equally effective as fixation devices in sagittal split osteotomy. Complete resorption of the resorbable screws could not be verified because of the absence of histological examination, however, the use of resorbable positioning screws can be considered as an alternative osteosynthesis material to conventional titanium osteosynthesis devices in sagittal split osteotomy.

Three-dimensional analysis of cranial growth from 6 to 12 months of age

The aim of this study was to generate three-dimensional data of the physiological growth of the infants cranium in the significant growth phase from 6 to 12 months of age. In a longitudinal observational study non-invasive 3D data using an optical surface scanner were generated of the entire head of 52 Caucasian infants (27 females and 25 males) between the ages of 6 (T1) and 12 (T2) months. The circumference of the head increased by 6.51 per cent (from 43.50 to 46.33cm). Analysis of width and length showed that the head grows 2.84 per cent more in length, resulting in a decrease in the cranial index of 2.52 per cent (from 83.87 to 81.76 per cent). The highest increment observed was in the total volume of the cranium, with an increase of 18.76 per cent (from 1229.01 to 1459.57cm(3)). Comparison of the left and right sides of the head by measuring the diagonal symmetry difference showed a difference of only 0.37cm. Overall, the symmetry-related parameters showed an almost symmetric development of the cranium in infants. The findings should provide valuable information on physiological growth and development of the infants cranium. Therefore the high growth rate of the cranium in the first year of life suggests that this period is a critical period in which the disruption of developmental processes may have long-lasting effects on the morphology of the cranium with a prognostically unfavourable effect of the further growth of the viscerocranium.

Multi-directional Le Fort III midfacial distraction using an individual prefabricated device.

BACKGROUND Midfacial distraction following Le Fort III osteotomy has become an established procedure for midfacial advancement of syndromic craniosynostosis patients. A frequent difficulty is the precise three dimensional (3D) alignment of the distracted midface and the proper fixation of the distraction device in the midfacial area. In this study we present an individual modification method for commercial distraction devices comprising the establishment of prefabricated fixation plates and parallel connecting pins. MATERIAL Individual prefabricated fixation plates for the zygomatic buttress were combined with two commercial distraction devices. METHOD The fixation plates were made by a casting technique using individual cranial models as templates. The latter were fabricated by the rapid prototyping technique of 3D powder printing. For precise realization of the distraction vector, two commercial devices were combined and attached rigidly to the fixation plates by two parallel pins. RESULT In the clinical routine, the 3D powder printing technique enables the simple fabrication of precise individual cranial models, which are required for manufacturing individual fixation plates. The combination of two commercial distraction devices facilitates the appropriate transfer of complex distraction vectors into the midfacial area. CONCLUSION The technique presented should be useful for a precise multi-directional midfacial distraction following Le Fort III osteotomy.

Three-dimensional analysis of positional plagiocephaly before and after molding helmet therapy in comparison to normal head growth

ObjectiveStereophotogrammetry enables a simple and radiation free longitudinal analysis of skull asymmetries: in a three-dimensional coordinate system various distances (length, breadth, cephalic index, oblique diameters, ear shift, head circumference) can be analyzed. We also defined separate volume sections in order to further quantify the degree of asymmetry in the posterior and anterior components of both sides of the head.Patients and methodsIn 51 infants (mean age, 6 months; SD 0.97) with positional plagiocephaly, we determined these parameters at the beginning as well as at the end of molding helmet therapy (mean therapy time 4.9 months). Thirty-seven infants without positional deformity (mean age, 6.4 months; SD 0.3) served as control group and provided data about what appears to be normal and how these parameters change during growth over a comparable period of time.ResultsCompared with the control group, the plagiocephalic heads were more brachycephalic, but closely approximated the normal shape under molding therapy. The striking volume difference between the left and right posterior sections in the plagiocephalic children (the mean volume of the flattened side being 21 % smaller than the one on the contralateral side) improved as well (to a residual difference of mean 8 %) and ended up with a value close to the control group (mean 6 %).ConclusionThere is a broad clinical application area for stereophotogrammetry analyzing skull morphology: In plagiocephalic infants we demonstrate impressive changes of head shape under molding therapy; in normal-looking infants we describe the extent of unperceived asymmetry.

Treatment modalities of infants with upper airway obstruction--review of the literature and presentation of novel orthopedic appliances.

Objective To present a new orthopedic method for treatment of infants with Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) and upper airway obstruction (UAO) as an alternative to other established nonsurgical and surgical techniques such as positioning, nasopharyngeal or endotracheal intubation, tongue-lip adhesion, extension, distraction, or tracheostomy. Design Review of the literature and presentation of novel orthopedic appliances. Setting Department of Orthodontics, Dental Clinic, Medical Faculty of the University of Wuerzburg, Germany, Department and Clinic of Pediatrics, Medical Faculty of the University of Wuerzburg, Germany, 2005 to 2008. Patients Seven patients with significant respiratory and feeding difficulties between 0 and 6 months of age. Both patients with nonsyndromic PRS and patients with syndromic PRS were included. Interventions The type of respiratory tract obstruction was defined by nasopharyngoscopy. Patients with type 1 obstruction received a plate with an epiglottic spur; whereas, patients with obstruction type 2, 3, or 4 received a plate with a pharyngeal tube. Results All patients were successfully treated with orthopedic appliances alone. Under plate therapy they showed good oxygen saturation and could consequently be better nourished orally. Conclusions The presented novel method is a noninvasive technique in treatment of infants with UAO.

Influence of epidermal growth factor receptor expression on the cetuximab and panitumumab response rates of head and neck carcinoma cells

OBJECTIVES To examine the impact of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression level on the efficacy of monoclonal antibodies against the EGFR. METHODS In four human head and neck carcinoma cell lines, epidermal growth factor expression was knocked down by lentiviral RNA interference. Next, the efficacies of cetuximab and panitumumab at concentrations of 4, 40, and 400 μg/ml were measured by real time cell analysis for a 48-h duration. Finally, the different response rates to the drugs were statistically analyzed. RESULTS The lentiviral EGFR knockdown efficiency ranged from 18 to 54 % across all of the cell lines. All original cell lines exhibited rather poor or inverse responses with regard to EGFR-AB treatment. In contrast, inhibiting EGFR expression in the same cell lines yielded statistically significant better responses to cetuximab or panitumumab treatment. CONCLUSIONS The cell lines used in this study responded poorly to cetuximab and panitumumab. Better anti-EGFR treatment efficacy was related to lower EGFR expression in head and neck cancer cell lines. These findings might influence the selection of patients to receive cetuximab and panitumumab treatment for head and neck cancer.

Treatment of Intracapsular Condylar Fractures With Resorbable Pins

J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2011. The surgical treatment of intracapsular condylar fractures (ICFs) of the mandible is complex. Type A and B fractures (classified by Neff et al and others), in particular, are difficult to treat. These fracture types are characterized by laterocranial to mediocaudal fracture lines with ventromedial dislocation of the fragments. The Axhausen and Bockenheimer retroauricular approaches or the Rasse and preauricular approach are usually performed. The complications associated with these surgical approaches include facial nerve injury, impaired circulation in the ear, bleeding, and scarring. In the past, several surgical and conservative treatment options have been used. Titanium minilate osteosynthesis with lag screws has been perormed, and resorbable osteosynthesis materials ave also been used. Postoperative complicaions have included malposition of the fragment, racture redislocation, or malocclusion. The indiations for the surgical treatment of ICFs have long een debated because of the lack of evidence-based esults. Because of these risks, secondary operations should be avoided. Plate or screw removal in titanium osteosynthesis necessitates surgery; therefore, resorbable osteosynthesis materials are preferable. In a previous in vitro study, the retention forces achieved with ultrasound-activated resorbable pins were compared with those of titanium screws. A retention force of 900 N was obtained for titanium screws compared with 300 N for ultra-

Hemimandibulectomy after bisphosphonate treatment for complex regional pain syndrome: a case report and review on the prevention and treatment of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw.

BACKGROUND The increase in reported cases of osteonecrosis of the jaw has increased the clinical significance of bisphosphonate therapeutic agents in the dentistry field. METHODS We present a rare and severe case of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw caused by medicamentous treatment of complex regional pain syndrome. This article reviews the current international prevention and treatment guidelines with regard to bisphosphonate treatment. RESULTS Even rare indications for bisphosphonate treatment may lead to devastating effects on the patient. CONCLUSIONS Dentists and physicians who prescribe bisphosphonates should be familiar with the side effects of these drugs and the management of these side effects. To prevent negative outcomes, it is important that there be a close collaboration among the doctors involved and that a thorough medical history is obtained; this is especially true because the range of indications for bisphosphonate treatment increases every year.

Mucormycosis of the head and neck.

INTRODUCTION Mucormycosis of the head and neck is a rare disease increasingly occurring in immunocompromised patients. We report on two cases with different outcomes. CASE REPORTS A 63-year-old female presented with a recently developed deformation of her right cheek and nose combined with a loosening of the teeth. Further examination revealed mucormycosis of the maxilla. Hemimaxillectomy and secondary bony reconstruction with oral rehabilitation were performed. The second patient was a 54-year-old male who suffered from multiple myeloma. After receiving an allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant, he developed a necrotizing infection of the right midface. Histopathological investigation confirmed the diagnosis of mucormycosis. The patient died one day after radical surgical resection. DISCUSSION These two cases demonstrate the variability of mucormycosis. Although slow progression of the disease is possible, a high level of attentiveness and expedient treatment are necessary due to the high risk of a devastating course.