Is craniofacial asymmetry progressive in untreated congenital muscular torticollis?

BACKGROUND: Although craniofacial asymmetry is frequently involved in patients with congenital muscular torticollis, it has not been evaluated appropriately. The authors analyzed preoperative craniofacial asymmetry objectively and confirmed the relationship between craniofacial asymmetry and aging in congenital muscular torticollis patients who underwent surgical release. METHODS: The authors retrospectively measured preoperative craniofacial asymmetry using the Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index and intercommissural angle and reviewed preoperative rotational and flexional deficit of neck movement for 123 congenital muscular torticollis patients who underwent surgical release at Ajou Medical Center from February of 2007 to February of 2011. The relationships among Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index, intercommissural angle, rotational deficit, flexional deficit, and age were analyzed. Mean values of dependent variables were compared after patients were grouped by age. RESULTS: Mean age at operation was 82.5 months (range, 5 to 498 months). Seventy-one percent (n=87) of patients had a significant cranial asymmetry and 87 percent (n=107) had a significant facial asymmetry. In correlation analysis, intercommissural angle increased proportional to age (r=0.334, p=0.000), especially before 3 years (r=0.42, p=0.001). Cranial Vault Asymmetry Index was unrelated to age or rotational or flexional deficit. Rotational deficit decreased proportional to age (r=-0.229, p=0.032). By analysis of variance test, intercommissural angle and rotational deficit between the age groups were statistically significantly different (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In congenital muscular torticollis, facial asymmetry is progressive if the contracted sternocleidomastoid muscle is not released, although cranial asymmetry is already determined in those younger than 6 months. Early correction of torticollis should be considered to prevent progression of facial asymmetry in congenital muscular torticollis patients. CLINICAL QUESTION /LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Sepsis with multiple abscesses after massive autologous fat grafting for augmentation mammoplasty: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Autologous fat grafting to the breast for breast reconstruction and cosmetic breast augmentation has gained much attention recently. However, its efficacy and the severities of its associated complications are of concern. The authors experienced one case of multiple breast abscesses after augmentation mammoplasty by autologous fat grafting. METHODS: A 42-year-old woman presented to the authors' emergency department reporting tenderness, swelling, and a sensation of heat in both breasts. The patient had undergone augmentation mammoplasty by autologous fat grafting 7 days previously. Abscess formation was suspected based on the patient's history, physical examination, laboratory findings, and image study. RESULTS: Incision and drainage were performed immediately with the patient under general anesthesia, and 500 ml of a foul, brown, turbid, purulent fluid containing necrotic fat debris was drained from each breast. Empiric antibiotics were started on the first hospital day, and betadine and saline-irrigation were administered daily for 2 weeks. Incisions were closed on hospital day 19 when laboratory data and local infection signs had improved. At the patient's 9-month follow-up assessment, breast contours were found to be well preserved, and scarring was minimal. CONCLUSION: Immediate complications such as edema, hematoma, and infection require serious consideration after autologous fat grafting in the breast. In particular, infection probably is the most serious complication because the volume of the fat injected is large and can induce systemic infections such as sepsis and distort the contours of the breast. To avoid such infections, systemic and multicenter studies are required to determine how fat grafting should be performed to minimize the risks of fat necrosis and infection.

A case of non-involuting congenital haemangioma with multiple epidermal cysts.

While infantile haemangiomas are the most common tumours of childhood, rare congenital haemangiomas grow to maximum size at birth and then spontaneously and rapidly regress (rapidly involuting congenital haemangiomas). However, certain congenital haemangiomas, described recently as 'non-involuting congenital haemangiomas', evolve differently and do not regress. There are several options regarding the treatment of infantile haemangiomas, but few reports have addressed the treatments of non-involuting congenital haemangiomas, though a small number have recommended surgical excision. However, the treatments of non-involuting congenital haemangiomas with multiple epidermal cysts have not been investigated. Epidermal cysts can cause recurrent infection, and we suspect that recurrent ulceration might cause the implantation of epidermal cells into the dermis, and result in the development of multiple epidermal cysts. Currently, epidermal cysts are treated by surgical excision, which should reduce complication rates. Herein, we report our experience of treating repeatedly infected non-involuting congenital haemangioma with multiple epidermal cysts.