Torsional Anatomy of the Lower Limb: The Appearance of Anatomy in Hemispastic Position

A consensus statement on the use of botulinum toxin in pediatric patients

Botulinum toxin has been used in medicine for the past 30 years. However, there continues to be controversy about the appropriate uses and dosing, especially in the pediatric population. A panel of nine pediatric physiatrists from different regions and previous training programs in the United States were nominated based on institutional reputation and botulinum toxin (BoNT) experience. Based on a review of the current literature, the goal was to provide the rationale for recommendations on the administration of BoNT in the pediatric population. The goal was not only to review safety, dosing, and injection techniques but also to develop a consensus on the appropriate uses in the pediatric population. In addition to upper and lower limb spasticity, the consensus also provides recommendations for congenital muscular torticollis, cervical dystonia, sialorrhea, and brachial plexus palsies.

Musculoskeletal ultrasound for traumatic and torsional alterations

The sonographic appearance of soft tissue can be altered by trauma and positional change with torsional stress. This creates challenges for ultrasonographic interpretation, because most descriptive literature and standard instructional references are displayed in anatomically neutral or other conventional positions. Knowledge of anatomic alteration and changes in sonographic appearance with torsional stress is essential for accurately assessing soft tissue abnormalities in conditions of spasticity, traumatic and post-surgical changes, and other conditions that distort musculoskeletal relationships. A systematic scanning approach to these alterations is needed for accurate diagnostic interpretation, optimizing electrode placement for electrodiagnostic techniques, effective needle placement for therapeutic ultrasound-guided procedures, and even planning for restorative surgery. This review describes expected positional changes of normal structures with torsional alteration, as well as sonographic recognition of scars, burns, hematomas, fat layer fracture, Morel-Lavallee lesions, abscesses, foreign bodies, myotendinous lesions, muscle injury and denervation, and traumatic peripheral nerve injury.