title: Standardized evaluation and documentation of findings in patients with craniosynostosis.
abstract: Surgical correction of craniosynostosis is usually performed according to standard procedures. However, a standard for clinical examination and report of findings for patients with craniosynostosis does not exist as yet. To compare findings from different hospitals, a documentation system was developed by a national craniosynostosis group. This system comprises a two-page document, clinical photographs, radiographs, CT scans, anthropometric measurements and molecular genetic findings. Data from craniosynostosis patients collected from participating hospitals are stored in a database, which facilitates online access. The documentation system was developed in cooperation with the group during 3 years since 1996. It was evaluated as being practicable and reliable and enables a comparability of findings reported in different hospitals. Molecular genetic analysis was found to support the investigation of patients with craniosynostosis and should therefore be integrated in the clinical evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillofacial and Facial Plastic Surgery, Justus Liebig-University Medical School Giessen, Germany. thies.junger@chiru.med.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: T H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Jünger
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reicherts
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steinberger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Collmann
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kotrikova
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zöller
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Howaldt
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D002508:Cephalometry; D003398:Craniosynostoses / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019992:Databases as Topic; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005568:Forms and Records Control; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records / Q000592:standards*; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D008967:Molecular Biology; D009862:Online Systems; D010781:Photography; D010808:Physical Examination; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed