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Biomedical subjects

E F Joganic

Publications and source records attributed to E F Joganic.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Importance of early recognition and treatment of deformational plagiocephaly with orthotic cranioplasty.

OBJECTIVES: Infants with positional plagiocephaly often exhibit complex multistructural asymmetries that affect the face and skull base as well as the cranial vault. Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty (DOC) was developed as a nonsurgical alternative for the treatment of positional plagiocephaly. The effectiveness of DOC has been discussed elsewhere. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of factors such as entrance age, treatment time, and initial severity on the effectiveness of correction. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 258 children with cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) treated prior to 1 year of age. In addition, 246 patients (92%) exhibited concurrent skull base (SBA) and orbitotragial depth (OTDA) asymmetries. All patients had been diagnosed with nonsynostotic plagiocephaly, did not have other contributing medical conditions, were compliant with DOC protocol, and had complete anthropometric measurements at entrance and exit from treatment. RESULTS: Mean age at start of treatment was 6.5 (+/-1.9) months (range, 2.8 to 11.0 months), with an average treatment time of 4.1 (+/-2.2) months. The effects of the treatment variables were analyzed using three-way analysis of variance. As expected, initial severity was significantly associated with the amount of correction (p = .0001). However, treatment time was not significant (p > .05). Most importantly, the analysis revealed that, having accounted for initial severity, entrance age had a statistically significant effect [F(1,254) = 8.36, p = .0042] on the correction of CVA. Similar results were identified for both the SBA [F(1,254) = 5.53, p = .0195] and the OTDA [F(1,254) = 5.22, p = .0231] asymmetries. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support clinical observations that earlier intervention results in significantly improved treatment of plagiocephaly, independent of the severity of the presenting asymmetries.

Analysis of Variance↗

Bilateral sagittal split mandibular osteotomies as an adjunct to the transoral approach to the anterior craniovertebral junction. Technical note.

Transoral approaches are used to expose the craniovertebral junction anteriorly. In patients in whom there is limited mandibular excursion, the placement of retractors and/or surgical instruments is difficult, and midline "stairstep split mandibulotomy" has been advocated as an adjunctive procedure. Although effective, this approach requires external splitting of the lip as well as median glossotomy or a lateral mucosal incision. The purpose of this study was to show that bilateral sagittal split mandibular osteotomies (BSSMOs), which are used in orthognathic surgery, represent a safer and more effective alternative to the stairstep split mandibulotomy when performed as an adjunct to the transoral approach because all incisions are intraoral and the plane of retraction is rostrocaudal instead of lateral. Hospital records and radiographic files of four patients who underwent BSSMO/transoral approach for odontoidectomy between 1994 and 1997 were reviewed retrospectively. There were three women and one boy (mean age 37.8 years, range 11-68 years). Predisposing conditions included rheumatoid arthritis (two patients), Klippel-Feil syndrome (one patient), and congenital occipitocervical instability (one patient). Jaw mobility was limited in all patients. In addition, one patient had macroglossia, another micrognathia, and another retrognathia. The BSSMO provided excellent exposure for resection of the odontoid process, as verified on follow-up magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography studies obtained in all patients. All mandibles were rigidly fixed by placing anterior mandibular border titanium plates and unicortical screws, and there was no incidence of nonunion or of lingual or inferior alveolar nerve injuries. The mean follow-up period was 26 months. The BSSMO is an excellent, less invasive adjunct to the transoral approach in patients with limited jaw mobility.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of craniofacial asymmetry with dynamic orthotic cranioplasty.

Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty (DOC) was developed to treat craniofacial deformities associated with positional plagiocephaly. This investigation describes the treatment of more than 750 patients with the DOC Band since 1988. All patients undergoing DOC treatment were fit with a custom fabricated orthosis made from a plaster impression taken from the infant's head. When the orthosis was applied, the corrective pressure was directed to hold growth at the calvarial prominences and redirect symmetrical growth. A detailed medical history was obtained and anthropometric measurements were taken at start, exit, 12, 18, and 24 months follow-up. This information was recorded in a database created in Microsoft Excel. Mean length of treatment was 4.3 months with an average entrance age of 6.9 months. Analysis of anthropometric data showed significant reduction in mean cranial vault, skull base, and facial asymmetries. Correction of the more difficult skull base was documented with computed tomography. Our anthropometric and clinical observations document complete or near complete correction of asymmetry for a wide variety of head shapes. Based on the results of this investigation, we are able to support the earlier claims of our pilot study, which concluded that DOC is effective in the treatment of positional plagiocephaly.

Anthropometry↗

Secondary craniofacial problems following skull base surgery.

Skull base wounds remain the most challenging that a skull base surgeon faces because of the unique and unforgiving requirements of the intracranial compartment. To successfully reconstruct these defects after complex exposure and radical resection around vital structures, a most conservative approach must be taken (i.e., one must choose the option that has the greatest chance to be successful, even if it means taking the extra time and effort of doing a free tissue transfer). Indeed, one can take no short cuts if the skull base would be left with a tenuous repair. Close postoperative surveillance of the patient for complications and maximal medical management is essential. Because of the difficulty of examining the hidden skull base wound postoperatively, surgeons must have a low threshold for re-exploration if a complication is suspected. As the first decade of the multidisciplinary skull base team approach passes, and long-term results are being assessed, the question of "is it worth it?" is fair. The reported series are showing increased survival rates and decreased complication rates. Therefore, the answer would appear to be "yes". The question is best answered, however, by the individual patient who previously had no hope for treatment of his or her deep-seated skull base tumor.

Adult↗

Posterior skull base transfacial approaches.

Transfacial approaches to the midline skull base provide direct access for resection of complex lesions. The transfrontal nasal-orbital and transmaxillary (Levels III and V) approaches have become the "work horses" of our skull base team, in that either alone or in combination, they provide access to most parts of the anterior skull base and clivus. The flexibility offered by the ability to select a Level I or Level II approach in place of a Level III approach, or a Level VI approach in place of a Level V approach, however, greatly enhances the individualization of treatment strategy. The overlapping exposure shared by these techniques provides flexibility in the choice of surgical exposure and allows multiple factors to be considered, including tumor location and size.

Adolescent↗

Radical resection of anterior skull base tumors.

The transfacial approaches give the surgeon wide exposure for resecting skull base lesions. The classification system, using six levels, helps plan the best surgical strategy. Our experience with the transfacial approaches has been associated with acceptably low rates of morbidity and mortality. Our small experience with carotid sacrifice reflects our practice of preserving the ICA whenever possible. We recommend preserving the ICA with benign tumors because they do not invade the artery, or they invade it to a limited extent. In contrast, we recommend radical tumor resection and sacrifice of the ICA with malignant tumors, because they directly threaten the integrity of the ICA and a patient's survival. The ICA should not be considered a limitation to radical tumor resection, because the ICA can be safely reconstructed with an appropriate bypass procedure.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of positional plagiocephaly with dynamic orthotic cranioplasty.

Dynamic orthotic cranioplasty (DOC) was developed to treat asymmetrical head shape of a nonsynostotic origin, which is defined by the term positional plagiocephaly. These positional deformations have been found to correlate with a number of environmental factors. Infants with positional plagiocephaly may exhibit complex multistructural asymmetry affecting the cranial vault, face, and skull base, or expression may be local in nature. Between 1988 and 1993, we performed DOC on 124 infants with positional plagiocephaly. Through clinical, anthropometric, radiographic, and statistical evaluation, we found that DOC corrects positional deformation of the cranial vault, skull base, and upper face, with no evident relapse following treatment. The design and the global approach to deformation address a wide spectrum of abnormal head shapes. The procedure is dynamic and customized, and it does not rely on passive growth alone for improvement.

Birth Injuries↗

Lamellar split osteotomy: a new craniofacial technique.

Craniofacial osteotomies have by convention been bilamellar translocations of the entire substance of the dysmorphic bone. This approach limits the surgeon by reducing the stable bone mass available for fixation, creating dependence on concave surfaces. Most important, it changes the bony topography that determines the preoperative plan. This paper presents a new craniofacial concept and technique used in 26 patients with various dysmorphic syndromes who were reconstructed by performing a lamellar split osteotomy. This technique maintains the internal lamella in its native position, thereby allowing it to act as a reference for the bony topography and providing a stable facial framework for rigid fixation. This interlamellar osteotomy has led to improved aesthetic results in the orthomorphic reconstructions of congenital and other deformities. It can be used in any aesthetic patient in whom contour changes or augmentation of form is desired. It is recommended as a preferred method for achieving quantitative contour improvement in patients over 3 years of age.

Adolescent↗

Giant congenital nevus with progressive sclerodermoid reaction in a newborn.

Giant congenital melanocytic nevi are a rare occurrence in the pediatric population. The risk of malignant transformation associated with these lesions has been well established; however, the management strategies for giant congenital nevi remain controversial. We report an unusual sclerodermoid reaction in a giant congenital nevus in a 6-week-old Caucasian girl. Given its abnormal clinical appearance, the entire lesion was excised. The histology was consistent with an atypical compound/sclerosing spindle and epithelioid cell congenital nevus. No evidence of malignant change was seen histologically. The incidence of malignant transformation in giant congenital nevi has been difficult to calculate. Review of the literature yields an incidence of between 4 and 9%, favoring surgical excision of these lesions where possible. Atypical presentations of giant congenital nevi are rare, and we have found no other reported cases with a stromal change similar to that seen in our patient. We hypothesize that this change may represent an atypical host reaction to the nevus cells.

Biopsy, Needle↗