Development of eye-hand coordination in typically developing children and adolescents assessed using a reach-to-grasp sequencing task.

Eye-hand coordination is required to accurately perform daily activities that involve reaching, grasping and manipulating objects. Studies using aiming, grasping or sequencing tasks have shown a stereotypical temporal coupling pattern where the eyes are directed to the object in advance of the hand movement, which may facilitate the planning and execution required for reaching. While the temporal coordination between the ocular and manual systems has been extensively investigated in adults, relatively little is known about the typical development of eye-hand coordination. Therefore, the current study addressed an important knowledge gap by characterizing the profile of eye-hand coupling in typically developing school-age children (n = 57) and in a cohort of adults (n = 30). Eye and hand movements were recorded concurrently during the performance of a bead threading task which consists of four distinct movements: reach to bead, grasp, reach to needle, and thread. Results showed a moderate to high correlation between eye and hand latencies in children and adults, supporting that both movements were planned in parallel. Eye and reach latencies, latency differences, and dwell time during grasping and threading, showed significant age-related differences, suggesting eye-hand coupling becomes more efficient in adolescence. Furthermore, visual acuity, stereoacuity and accommodative facility were also found to be associated with the efficiency of eye-hand coordination in children. Results from this study can serve as reference values when examining eye and hand movement during the performance of fine motor skills in children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Influence of a negative sestamibi scan on the decision for parathyroid operation by the endocrinologist and surgeon.

BACKGROUND: It has been observed that negative sestamibi scans may impact practice patterns in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. However, there are no published data on the issue. The objective was to elucidate the influence of negative sestamibi scans on referrals by endocrinologists for parathyroidectomy and surgeon decision-making. METHODS: All patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were identified within a region-wide health care system over a 2-year period. Data, including age, calcium, parathyroid hormone, renal function, bone density, and sestamibi scan results, were collected from the electronic medical record of all patients. The electronic referral system was used to track consultations with endocrinologists and surgeons. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to model factors involved in endocrinologist recommendations (referral or no referral to operation) and surgeon recommendations (parathyroidectomy or no parathyroidectomy). RESULTS: A total of 539 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were identified, and 452 were seen by endocrinologists. Of these, 260 patients had sestamibi scans done (120 negative and 140 positive), and 201 (77%) patients were referred to surgeons. Compared with positive sestamibi scans, negative sestamibi scans were independently associated with no referral to surgeons, after adjusting for presence of classic symptoms, age, fitness for operation, calcium, parathyroid hormone, glomerular filtration rate, and bone density (odds ratio = 0.36; 95% confidence interval 0.18-0.73). Surgeons saw an additional 54 patients referred from nonendocrinologists or primary care physicians and sestamibi scans were completed. Surgeons recommended parathyroidectomy in 236 of the 255 patients. Negative sestamibi scans were independently associated with no recommendation for operation (odds ratio = 0.32; 95% confidence interval 0.11-0.91). Surgeons initially scheduled and completed parathyroidectomies in 211/255 patients. Cure rate after operation was 98%, and this was not influenced by the sestamibi scan result. CONCLUSION: Negative sestamibi scans influence decision making in the management of patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Endocrinologists commonly order sestamibi scans, and if negative, they are less likely to refer patients to surgeons. Surgeons are also influenced by sestamibi scans, and if negative, they are less likely to recommend parathyroidectomy. Cure rate in sestamibi-negative patients is excellent after operation.

Case for diagnosis. Puncture lesions with foreign body in the feet.

Patients presenting with plantar puncture wounds with presence of foreign bodies are treated in emergency departments, dermatology and orthopedic clinics. The clinical features of these lesions are rarely cited in journals and textbooks of dermatology. We report a case of foreign body in the plantar surface of the foot, in which clinical history and dermatological examination were decisive for the diagnosis.

Caso para diagnóstico / Case for diagnosis

Pacientes com ferimentos penetrantes plantares com presença de corpo estranho são atendidos em serviços de emergência, clínicas ortopédicas e dermatológicas. As características clínicas dessas lesões são pouco citadas em periódicos e livros textos dermatológicos. Relatamos um caso de corpo estranho plantar em que a história clínica e o exame dermatológico foram decisivos para o diagnóstico.

Patients presenting with plantar puncture wounds with presence of foreign bodies are treated in emergency departments, dermatology and orthopedic clinics. The clinical features of these lesions are rarely cited in journals and textbooks of dermatology. We report a case of foreign body in the plantar surface of the foot, in which clinical history and dermatological examination were decisive for the diagnosis.

Caso para diagnóstico / Case for diagnosis

Pacientes com ferimentos penetrantes plantares com presença de corpo estranho são atendidos em serviços de emergência, clínicas ortopédicas e dermatológicas. As características clínicas dessas lesões são pouco citadas em periódicos e livros textos dermatológicos. Relatamos um caso de corpo estranho plantar em que a história clínica e o exame dermatológico foram decisivos para o diagnóstico