Health-related quality of life of patients with zygomatic fracture

Background: The objective was to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after surgical treatment of zygomatic complex fracture and assess patients’ perceptions of the aesthetic and functional outcomes of surgery. Material and Methods: A prospective study of 79 adult patients before and after surgery for zygomatic complex fracture was conducted. HRQoL was measured using the generic 15-dimensional (15D) instrument, and patient satisfaction was assessed by an additional questionnaire. Results: The mean preoperative 15D score for patients was lower than for general population that was matched for age and gender (p=0.011). The mean 15D score was lowest on the first postoperative day (p<0.001) when patients were worse off for 6 of the 15 dimensions of the HRQoL instrument and better off for three dimensions. However, patients achieved, and even exceeded, the mean 15D score of the general population during the first month following surgery. Infraorbital sensory loss at the end of the six-month follow-up appeared to be the single most important factor that plagued the patients. Conclusions: HRQoL is significantly reduced after trauma but improves a few weeks after surgery. Infraorbital nerve sensory loss is a notable long-term factor that affects patients after zygomatic complex fracture. Key words:Zygomatic fracture, maxillofacial trauma, health-related quality of life, disturbance of infraorbital nerve, facial sensation

Health-related quality of life in patients surgically treated for orbital blow-out fracture : a prospective study

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after surgical treatment of orbital blow-out fracture. Methods This prospective study comprises of all adult patients undergoing a surgical reconstruction of an orbital blow-out fracture in 2006-2010. Their HRQoL was evaluated for 6 months postoperatively with the aid of the standardized 15D instrument and was compared with that of an age- and gender-standardized sample of the general Finnish population. A complementary questionnaire for more detailed information was also administered. Results Twenty-six patients completed the study. Mean 15D score among the patients preoperatively (0.898) was statistically significantly and clinically importantly worse than the score of the control population (0.936). Six months postoperatively, the mean 15D score was 0.920, with no significant difference compared with the control population and the significant differences on the different dimensions had disappeared. The most common complaint at 6 months postoperatively was diplopia in daily life (19%). Disturbances in facial sensation (27%) and defects in facial appearance (15%) were the most unpleasant subjective outcomes. Conclusion The HRQoL is significantly decreased after orbital blow-out fracture compared with the general population but will recover completely in 6 months. Thus, the negative impact of orbital blow-out fracture on HRQoL is only transient. Disturbances in facial sensation, defects in facial appearance, and diplopia are the most common subjective complaints after the injury and its surgical treatment. However, these do not appear to affect the overall quality of life in the long term.Peer reviewe

Diffusion tensor imaging in frontostriatal tracts is associated with executive functioning in very preterm children at 9 years of age

Background Very preterm birth can disturb brain maturation and subject these high-risk children to neurocognitive difficulties later. Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of prematurity on microstructure of frontostriatal tracts in children with no severe neurologic impairment, and to study whether the diffusion tensor imaging metrics of frontostriatal tracts correlate to executive functioning. Materials and methods The prospective cohort study comprised 54 very preterm children (mean gestational age 28.8 weeks) and 20 age- and gender-matched term children. None of the children had severe neurologic impairment. The children underwent diffusion tensor imaging and neuropsychological assessments at a mean age of 9 years. We measured quantitative diffusion tensor imaging metrics of frontostriatal tracts using probabilistic tractography. We also administered five subtests from the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment, Second Edition, to evaluate executive functioning. Results Very preterm children had significantly higher fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivity values (PPeer reviewe

Health-related quality of life in patients surgically treated for orbital blow-out fracture: a prospective study

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) before and after surgical treatment of orbital blow-out fracture. Methods This prospective study comprises of all adult patients undergoing a surgical reconstruction of an orbital blow-out fracture in 2006-2010. Their HRQoL was evaluated for 6 months postoperatively with the aid of the standardized 15D instrument and was compared with that of an age- and gender-standardized sample of the general Finnish population. A complementary questionnaire for more detailed information was also administered. Results Twenty-six patients completed the study. Mean 15D score among the patients preoperatively (0.898) was statistically significantly and clinically importantly worse than the score of the control population (0.936). Six months postoperatively, the mean 15D score was 0.920, with no significant difference compared with the control population and the significant differences on the different dimensions had disappeared. The most common complaint at 6 months postoperatively was diplopia in daily life (19%). Disturbances in facial sensation (27%) and defects in facial appearance (15%) were the most unpleasant subjective outcomes. Conclusion The HRQoL is significantly decreased after orbital blow-out fracture compared with the general population but will recover completely in 6 months. Thus, the negative impact of orbital blow-out fracture on HRQoL is only transient. Disturbances in facial sensation, defects in facial appearance, and diplopia are the most common subjective complaints after the injury and its surgical treatment. However, these do not appear to affect the overall quality of life in the long term.</div

Diffusion tensor imaging in frontostriatal tracts is associated with executive functioning in very preterm children at 9 years of age

Background Very preterm birth can disturb brain maturation and subject these high-risk children to neurocognitive difficulties later. Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of prematurity on microstructure of frontostriatal tracts in children with no severe neurologic impairment, and to study whether the diffusion tensor imaging metrics of frontostriatal tracts correlate to executive functioning. Materials and methods The prospective cohort study comprised 54 very preterm children (mean gestational age 28.8 weeks) and 20 age- and gender-matched term children. None of the children had severe neurologic impairment. The children underwent diffusion tensor imaging and neuropsychological assessments at a mean age of 9 years. We measured quantitative diffusion tensor imaging metrics of frontostriatal tracts using probabilistic tractography. We also administered five subtests from the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment, Second Edition, to evaluate executive functioning. Results Very preterm children had significantly higher fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivity values (PConclusion Prematurity has a long-term effect on frontostriatal white matter microstructure that might contribute to difficulties in executive functioning.</div

Microstructural alterations in association tracts and language abilities in schoolchildren born very preterm and with poor fetal growth

Background Prematurity and perinatal risk factors may influence white matter microstructure. In turn, these maturational changes may influence language development in this high-risk population of children.Objective To evaluate differences in the microstructure of association tracts between preterm and term children and between preterm children with appropriate growth and those with fetal growth restriction and to study whether the diffusion tensor metrics of these tracts correlate with language abilities in schoolchildren with no severe neurological impairment.Materials and methods This study prospectively followed 56 very preterm children (mean gestational age: 28.7 weeks) and 21 age- and gender-matched term children who underwent diffusion tensor imaging at a mean age of 9 years. We used automated probabilistic tractography and measured fractional anisotropy in seven bilateral association tracts known to belong to the white matter language network. Both groups participated in language assessment using five standardised tests at the same age.Results Preterm children had lower fractional anisotropy in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus 1 compared to term children (P P (P Conclusion There were some microstructural differences in language-related tracts between preterm and term children and between preterm children with appropriate and those with restricted fetal growth. Children with better language abilities had a higher fractional anisotropy in distinct white matter tracts.</p

Antenatal and neonatal risk factors in very preterm children were associated with language difficulties at 9 years of age

Aim: This Finnish study compared language and reading abilities between schoolchildren born at a very low gestational age (VLGA) of <32 weeks and at term and analysed any associations between antenatal and neonatal risk factors and language skills in the VLGA group. Methods: We prospectively followed 76 children born at a VLGA and 50 children born at term when they reached a mean age of 9.0 (8.1–10.0) years. They attended mainstream schools and had no severe neurosensory disabilities. Receptive language ability, rapid naming and word reading were evaluated using standardised tests. Results: Children in the VLGA group had lower scores for receptive language abilities (median 55.0 vs. 57.0, p = 0.01) and word reading (mean 4.4 vs. 5.1, p = 0.03) than the children in the term group. In the VLGA group, foetal growth restriction was associated with lower scores for rapid naming, early intraventricular haemorrhage was associated with poor word reading and respiratory distress syndrome was associated with poor rapid naming (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Schoolchildren born at a VLGA had more difficulties with receptive language abilities and word reading than children born at term. Foetal growth restriction and early neonatal morbidities were associated with language difficulties.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Lasi-ionomeerisementtien sidoslujuustutkimus

Tutkimuksen tarkoitus: Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoitus on tutkia lasi-ionomeerisementtien sidoslujuutta dentiiniin ja sidoslujuudessa tapahtuvia muutoksia 420 vuorokauden kuluessa. Tutkimuksessa perehdytään myös sidosten murtumatyyppeihin. Materiaalit ja menetelmät: 128 poistetun viisaudenhampaan dentiinipinnat sidostettiin tai esikäsiteltiin valmistajien ohjeiden mukaisesti ja täyteainepilarit vietiin dentiinin pinnalle. Täyteaineena käytettiin lasi-ionomeerisementtejä (GC Fuji IX GP fast ja Photac-Fil) ja vertailu-materiaalina yhdistelmämuovia (Filtek Supreme) kolmivaiheista sidosmenetelmää (Adper ScotchbondTM Multi-Purpose) ja itse-etsaavaa sidosainetta (Hybrid Bond) käyttäen. Puolet näytteistä testattiin sidoslujuuden suhteen vuorokauden kuluttua valmistuksesta ja puolet 420 vuorokauden säilytyksen jälkeen. Sidoslujuus testattiin kohdistamalla työntövoima täyteainepilarin tyveen. Tulokset: Lasi-ionomeerisementit hävisivät sidoslujuuden suhteen yhdistelmämuoveille. Parhaat sidoslujuusarvot saavutettiin käyttämällä kolmivaiheista sidostusmenetelmää yhdistelmämuovien yhteydessä. Heikoimmat sidoslujuusarvot mitattiin konventionaalisilla lasi-ionomeerisementeillä. Valtaosa testatuista näytteistä sijoittui kohesiivisten murtumien ja mixed-tyyppisten murtumien ryhmään. Adhesiivisia murtumia havaittiin lähinnä yhdistelmämuovien sidosten pettämisen yhteydessä. Johtopäätökset: Lasi-ionomeerisementeillä ei kyetä saavuttamaan yhtä suuria sidoslujuuksia dentiiniin kuin yhdistelmämuoveilla, mutta lasi-ionomeerien heikot sidoslujuusarvot kertovat ennemmin materiaalin hauraudesta, kuin huonosta kiinnittymisestä hammaskudokseen

Diffusion tensor imaging in frontostriatal tracts is associated with executive functioning in very preterm children at 9 years of age

Abstract Background: Very preterm birth can disturb brain maturation and subject these high-risk children to neurocognitive difficulties later. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of prematurity on microstructure of frontostriatal tracts in children with no severe neurologic impairment, and to study whether the diffusion tensor imaging metrics of frontostriatal tracts correlate to executive functioning. Materials and methods: The prospective cohort study comprised 54 very preterm children (mean gestational age 28.8 weeks) and 20 age- and gender-matched term children. None of the children had severe neurologic impairment. The children underwent diffusion tensor imaging and neuropsychological assessments at a mean age of 9 years. We measured quantitative diffusion tensor imaging metrics of frontostriatal tracts using probabilistic tractography. We also administered five subtests from the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment, Second Edition, to evaluate executive functioning. Results: Very preterm children had significantly higher fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivity values (P&lt;0.05, corrected for multiple comparison) in dorsolateral prefrontal caudate and ventrolateral prefrontal caudate tracts as compared to term-born children. We found negative correlations between the diffusion tensor imaging metrics of frontostriatal tracts and inhibition functions (P&lt;0.05, corrected for multiple comparison) in very preterm children. Conclusion: Prematurity has a long-term effect on frontostriatal white matter microstructure that might contribute to difficulties in executive functioning

Microstructural alterations in association tracts and language abilities in schoolchildren born very preterm and with poor fetal growth

Abstract Background: Prematurity and perinatal risk factors may influence white matter microstructure. In turn, these maturational changes may influence language development in this high-risk population of children. Objective: To evaluate differences in the microstructure of association tracts between preterm and term children and between preterm children with appropriate growth and those with fetal growth restriction and to study whether the diffusion tensor metrics of these tracts correlate with language abilities in schoolchildren with no severe neurological impairment. Materials and methods: This study prospectively followed 56 very preterm children (mean gestational age: 28.7 weeks) and 21 age- and gender-matched term children who underwent diffusion tensor imaging at a mean age of 9 years. We used automated probabilistic tractography and measured fractional anisotropy in seven bilateral association tracts known to belong to the white matter language network. Both groups participated in language assessment using five standardised tests at the same age. Results: Preterm children had lower fractional anisotropy in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus 1 compared to term children (P &lt; 0.05). Preterm children with fetal growth restriction had lower fractional anisotropy in the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus compared to preterm children with appropriate fetal growth (P &lt; 0.05). Fractional anisotropy in three dorsal tracts and in two dorsal and one ventral tract had a positive correlation with language assessments among preterm children and preterm children with fetal growth restriction, respectively (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: There were some microstructural differences in language-related tracts between preterm and term children and between preterm children with appropriate and those with restricted fetal growth. Children with better language abilities had a higher fractional anisotropy in distinct white matter tracts