Congenital torticollis in association with craniosynostosis

The incidence of congenital torticollis in association with plagiocephaly is 1 in 300 newborns, with the torticollis resulting from pathologically sustained contraction of the sternocleidomastoid. Such conditions as facial asymmetries, craniovertebral anomalies, cervical hemivertebra, and mono- or polydysostoses may also be associated with torticollis diagnosed during the neonatal period. With particular reference to synostotic (coronal and/or lambdoidal) plagiocephaly, a clear distinction is made in this paper between posterior neurocranial flattening secondary to the sustained rotation of the skull resulting from torticollis and that seen in synostotic plagiocephaly. The rarity of torticollis with sustained contraction of the sternocleidomastoid muscle relative to the frequency of occipital-parietal flattening in newborn kept in the supine position has not been discussed in the literature and is therefore of clinical importance. In light of the fact that the prognosis and, consequently, the treatment plan vary directly with the presence or absence of synostoses, clinical evaluation also includes cephalometrics, plain skull X-rays, and CT imaging. If the torticollis is associated with neurocranial deformity but synostosis is absent, cervical traction and physiotherapy resolve the symptoms. When, however, the clinical picture is complicated by synostotic plagiocephaly, corrective surgery is necessary, though cervical traction and physiotherapy are essential to provide early and complete cure of the torticolli

Unilateral condylar hyperplasia: a 3-dimensional quantification of asymmetry

Contains fulltext : 117914.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)PURPOSE: Objective quantifications of facial asymmetry in patients with Unilateral Condylar Hyperplasia (UCH) have not yet been described in literature. The aim of this study was to objectively quantify soft-tissue asymmetry in patients with UCH and to compare the findings with a control group using a new method. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty 3D photographs of patients diagnosed with UCH were compared with 30 3D photographs of healthy controls. As UCH presents particularly in the mandible, a new method was used to isolate the lower part of the face to evaluate asymmetry of this part separately. The new method was validated by two observers using 3D photographs of five patients and five controls. RESULTS: A significant difference (0.79 mm) between patients and controls whole face asymmetry was found. Intra- and inter-observer differences of 0.011 mm (-0.034-0.011) and 0.017 mm (-0.007-0.042) respectively were found. These differences are irrelevant in clinical practice. CONCLUSION: After objective quantification, a significant difference was identified in soft-tissue asymmetry between patients with UCH and controls. The method used to isolate mandibular asymmetry was found to be valid and a suitable tool to evaluate facial asymmetry

Mucoceles gigantes: visão neurocirúrgica. Relato de dois casos Giant mucoceles: neurosurgical view. Report of two cases

São apresentados dois casos de mucocele gigante do seio frontal submetidos a tratamento cirúrgico. A manifestação clínica foi cefaléia de evolução prolongada, associada com protrusão unilateral do globo ocular de curta duração. Em ambos os casos foi realizada craniotomia frontal com remoção completa da lesão, reparação do soalho frontal com retalho pediculado de gálea e cranialização do seio frontal. No segundo caso, uma abordagem endoscópica intranasal foi combinada à abordagem externa no mesmo ato cirúrgico. Alguns aspectos abordando a etiologia, associação com outras afecções e tratamento cirúrgico são discutidos.<br>Two patients harboring giant frontal mucoceles are reported. In both cases complaints of chronic headaches and progressive unilateral proptosis were preponderant. Surgical treatment included a frontal craniotomy with excision of the lesion, skull base reinforcement with pedicled galea and wide opening of the frontal sinuses. In the second case an intranasal endoscopic approach was combined with craniotomy at the same surgical operative time. Some aspects regarding etiology, association with other diseases and some surgical aspects are discussed