Effectiveness of Helmet Therapy in Infants with Positional Skull Deformity: A Literature Review

Background: Positional skull deformity usually manifests during first six months of life due to various factors like premature births or multiple births, improper positioning of infant’s head as the head of an infant is softer than the older children’s head, thus leading to either positional brachycephaly or positional plagiocephaly. Early helmet therapy intervention may improve the shape of the skull by reducing the risk of secondary cosmetic and nervous system complications. Aim: To study the effectiveness of helmet therapy in infants with positional skull deformity. Methods: The data source for this literature review is done by studying and reviewing articles through various data like Pub Med, Google Scholar, science direct, Elsevier and medicine Cochrane library. Conclusion: Helmet therapy is contemplated to be effective in the treatment of mild-moderate-severe positional skull deformity than repositioning therapy by improving the structure of the misshaped skull, as well as the use of helmet therapy is reviewed not to hinder the head circumference growth in infants.

The use of head helmets to deliver noninvasive ventilatory support: a comprehensive review of technical aspects and clinical findings

A helmet, comprising a transparent hood and a soft collar, surrounding the patient’s head can be used to deliver noninvasive ventilatory support, both as continuous positive airway pressure and noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV), the latter providing active support for inspiration. In this review, we summarize the technical aspects relevant to this device, particularly how to prevent CO2 rebreathing and improve patient–ventilator synchrony during NPPV. Clinical studies describe the application of helmets in cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, pneumonia, COVID-19, postextubation and immune suppression. A section is dedicated to paediatric use. In summary, helmet therapy can be used safely and effectively to provide NIV during hypoxemic respiratory failure, improving oxygenation and possibly leading to better patient-centred outcomes than other interfaces.

Natural-Course Evaluation of Infants with Positional Severe Plagiocephaly Using a Three-Dimensional Scanner in Japan: Comparison with Those Who Received Cranial Helmet Therapy

This study aimed to clarify the natural course of positional plagiocephaly using a three-dimensional (3D) scanner and investigate the effectiveness of cranial helmet therapy (CHT). One hundred infants with severe plagiocephaly who visited our institutions between April 2020 and March 2021 were included. Cranial shape was measured using an Artec Eva 3D scanner. A cranial asymmetry (CA) >12 mm was diagnosed as severe plagiocephaly. An infant whose CA subsided to <12 mm was considered to have improved naturally or by CHT. The difference in CA between the second and initial scans was defined as the improvement value (median scan interval was two months). In the natural-course group comprising 56 infants with severe plagiocephaly, 37 (66%) with a median CA of 15.6 mm exhibited no improvement after two months. In the scan age- and evaluation interval-matched case-control study, the CA value in the CHT group improved by three times that in the natural-course group (−4.6 mm [n = 33] vs. −1.55 mm [n = 24], p < 0.001). Severe plagiocephaly did not improve naturally in 66% of the cases. Therefore, CHT should be considered if the CA is >12 mm on the initial evaluation.

Endoscopic-assisted repair for sagittal synostosis

The craniofacial team at St. Louis Children's Hospital has been performing endoscopy-assisted synostosis surgery since 2006. Most infants with single-suture synostosis younger than 6 months of age are candidates. The sphinx position is used, with two incisions: one posterior to the bregma and one anterior to the lambda. The endoscope is incorporated primarily for epidural dissection and bone edge cauterization. Blood products are available but rarely needed with single suturectomies. Patients are managed on the floor after surgery and discharged to home on postoperative day 1, with helmet therapy coordinated and initiated immediately after surgery and continued until about 12 months of age. The video can be found here: https://vimeo.com/513939623

Comparison of 2 Sagittal Craniosynostosis Repair Techniques: Spring-Assisted Surgery Versus Endoscope-Assisted Craniectomy With Helmet Molding Therapy

Introduction: This study compares anthropometric outcomes of 2 sagittal synostosis repair techniques: spring-assisted surgery and endoscope-assisted craniectomy with molding helmet therapy. Methods: Patients undergoing spring-assisted surgery (n = 27) or endoscope-assisted craniectomy with helmet therapy (n = 40) at separate institutions were retrospectively reviewed. Pre- and 1-year postoperative computed tomography (CT) or laser scans were analyzed for traditional cranial index (CI), adjusted cranial index (aCI), and cranial vault volume (CVV). Nine patient-matched scans were analyzed for measurement consistency. Results: The spring-assisted group was older at both time points ( P < .050) and spring-assisted group CVV was larger preoperatively and postoperatively ( P < .01). However, the change in CVV did not differ between the groups ( P = .210). There was no difference in preoperative CI (helmet vs spring: 70.1 vs 71.2, P = .368) between the groups. Postoperatively, helmet group CI (77.0 vs 74.3, P = .008) was greater. The helmet group also demonstrated a greater increase in CI (6.9 vs 3.1, P < .001). The proportion of patients achieving CI of 75 or greater was not significantly different between the groups (helmet vs spring: CI, 65% vs 52%, P = .370). There was no detectable bias in CI between matched CT and laser scans. Differences were identified between scan types in aCI and CVV measurements; subsequent analyses used corrected CVV and aCI measures for laser scan measures. Conclusions: Both techniques had equivalent proportions of patients achieving normal CI, comparable effects on cranial volume, and similar operative characteristics. The study suggests that there may be greater improvement in CI in the helmet group. However, further research should be performed.