ABSTRACT
The child's growing, ever-changing nature presents a dynamic challenge to clinics that provide pediatric prostheses for children. Over the years clinics have developed strategies for prescribing and fitting pediatric prostheses. As new components, materials, or techniques are introduced, management of children with limb deficiencies may begin to take on a new look as well.
Subject(s)
Artificial Limbs/supply & distribution , Artificial Limbs/trends , Pediatrics/methods , Rehabilitation/methods , Artificial Limbs/classification , Child , Forecasting , Growth , Humans , Patient Selection , Prosthesis Design , Prosthesis FittingABSTRACT
This article will present a new soft tissue cephalometric analysis tool. This analysis may be used by the orthodontist and surgeon as an aid in diagnosis and treatment planning. The analysis is a radiographic instrument that was developed directly from the philosophy expressed in Arnett and Bergman "Facial keys to orthodontic diagnosis and treatment planning, Parts I and II" (Am J Orthop Dentofacial Orthod 1993; 103:299-312 and 395-411). The novelty of this approach, as with the "Facial Keys" articles, is an emphasis on soft tissue facial measurement.
Subject(s)
Cephalometry , Face/anatomy & histology , Face/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Cephalometry/methods , Dental Occlusion , Female , Humans , Male , Malocclusion/diagnostic imaging , Patient Care Planning , Radiography , Reference Values , Sex Characteristics , Vertical DimensionABSTRACT
Although the standard acid reflux test is often used to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux (GER), the cost and benefit of this diagnostic test has never been evaluated. In this study, 184 consecutive referrals with esophageal symptoms were interviewed and had an esophagram, an esophageal manometry, and a modified acid reflux test (MART). The results were analyzed to determine how frequently MART altered the clinical diagnosis and to assess the cost of the new information. Patients with typical symptoms of GER (heartburn or regurgitation) were compared to those with atypical presentation (chest pain or dysphagia). Previously unsuspected GER was demonstrated in 63% of the atypical group, whereas no altered diagnosis was made in the typical group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups when mean lower esophageal sphincter pressures and mean pH scores were compared. MART was cost effective only in the atypical group, in which the cost of an altered diagnosis was $633.00.
