Standardized evaluation and documentation of findings in patients with craniosynostosis.
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.
Jünger
T H
TH
Department of Maxillofacial and Facial Plastic Surgery, Justus Liebig-University Medical School Giessen, Germany. thies.junger@chiru.med.uni-giessen.de
Reicherts
M
M
Steinberger
D
D
Collmann
H
H
Kotrikova
B
B
Zöller
J
J
Howaldt
H P
HP
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