title: Evaluation of gross and fine motor functions in children with hemidecortication: predictors of outcomes and timing of surgery.
abstract: The purpose of this study is three-fold: First, to determine the levels of gross and fine motor functions in children before and after hemidecortication, using standardized measurement tools; second, to investigate if predictors of these outcomes can be characterized; and third, to explore if both clinical measures and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) potentially can identify optimal timing of surgery. The Gross Motor Function Measure and the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test are shown to be comprehensive, standardized outcome measures of movement performance in affected children. Age at surgery and interval between age at seizure onset and age at surgery could be the most reliable predictors of clinical outcomes. Functional MRI studies are valuable in exploring the potential of the cortical reorganization that sustains residual sensorimotor function. The combination of clinical measures with functional MRI is a promising method of inquiry into developmental and plasticity processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Services, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada. chantal.graveline@mailhub.sickkids.on.ca
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Graveline
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bone
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shikolka
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Crawley
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mikulis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002541:Cerebral Decortication; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index