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Biomedical subjects

R J Spinner

Publications and source records attributed to R J Spinner.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Surgery for peripheral nerve and brachial plexus injuries or other nerve lesions.

The selection of patients who will benefit from peripheral nerve surgery continues to evolve. The evaluation of patients with peripheral nerve problems, and the indications and timing of surgery are reviewed. This includes patients with transections, lesions in continuity, entrapments, tumors, injection injuries, and birth palsies. The treatment outlined for patients with peripheral nerve and brachial plexus injuries is based on a comprehensive clinical and electrodiagnostic evaluation complemented by imaging studies. A systematic approach to the surgical management of these neural lesions has evolved at our institution, based in part on extensive experience with intraoperative recording of nerve action potentials (NAPs) and a resultant large number of referrals. Advanced microsurgical techniques including use of grafts have expanded the scope of peripheral nerve surgery. These advances coupled with intraoperative electrophysiologic measurements have improved outcomes.

Brachial Plexus↗
PubMed2000

Model for avulsion injury in the rat brachial plexus using passive acceleration.

We have developed an experimental model for brachial plexus injuries in the rat that closely simulates the characteristics of human injury. This model produces avulsion injuries in a noninvasive manner. A prototype apparatus was designed that allowed a force to be transmitted to a restrained limb by passive acceleration. Reproducible results were obtained in 32 rats. A significant correlation was found between the test weight and the number of roots avulsed (r = 0.92; P < 0.05). The amount of force also correlated to the pattern of avulsion injury: a 230-g weight produced either C6 (54%), C7 (15%), or C6 and C7 (31%) avulsions; a 330-g weight produced C6 (18%), C7 (9%), or C6 and C7 (73%) avulsions; a 530-g weight produced C5 through C8 (75%) or C6 through T1 (25%) avulsions. This model of brachial plexus injury may be useful to further our understanding of the cellular response to this incapacitating injury and to develop therapeutic strategies with behavioral correlates.

Acceleration↗
PubMed2000

Ulnar nerve function following total elbow arthroplasty: a prospective study comparing preoperative and postoperative clinical and electrophysiologic evaluation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

A study was conducted to determine the incidence of ulnar and peripheral neuropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing total elbow arthroplasty and the effect it has on ulnar nerve function after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative clinical and electrodiagnostic examinations were completed in 10 patients. Before surgery 4 patients had clinical and electrophysiologic evidence of a neuropathy (2 each with a peripheral neuropathy and an ulnar neuropathy). One patient had subclinical evidence of a chronic T-1 radiculopathy. After surgery 2 patients showed neurologic improvement (1 had ulnar neuropathy and 1 had diabetic neuropathy). One patient who had normal test results before surgery developed transient ulnar sensory symptoms after surgery. An electrodiagnostic study confirmed an ulnar neuropathy that was not detected on physical examination; the electrodiagnostic findings improved 4 months later. We found that a large percentage of patients (40%) with rheumatoid arthritis had evidence of ulnar or peripheral neuropathy before surgery. The presence of an ulnar or peripheral neuropathy did not predispose patients to develop postoperative ulnar nerve dysfunction either clinically or electrophysiologically. Preoperative and postoperative physical and electrodiagnostic examination results correlated in 9 of the 10 patients.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Unrecognized dislocation of the medial portion of the triceps: another cause of failed ulnar nerve transposition.

OBJECT: Failed surgical treatment for ulnar neuropathy or neuritis due to dislocation of the ulnar nerve presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. The authors of this paper will establish unrecognized dislocation (snapping) of the medial portion of the triceps as a preventable cause of failed ulnar nerve transposition. METHODS: Fifteen patients had persistent, painful snapping at the medial elbow after ulnar nerve transposition, which had been performed for documented ulnar nerve dislocation with or without ulnar neuropathy. The snapping was caused by a previously unrecognized dislocation of the medial portion of triceps over the medial epicondyle. Seven of the 15 patients also had persistent ulnar nerve symptoms. The correct diagnosis of snapping triceps was delayed for an average of 22 months after the initial ulnar nerve transposition. An additional surgical procedure was performed in nine of the 15 cases and, in part, consisted of lateral transposition or excision of the offending snapping medial portion of the triceps. Of the four patients in this group who had persistent neurological symptoms, submuscular transposition was performed in the two with more severe symptoms and treatment of the triceps alone was performed in the two with milder neurological symptoms. Excellent results were achieved in all surgically treated patients. Six patients declined additional surgery and experienced persistent snapping and/or ulnar nerve symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Failure to recognize that dislocation of both the medial portion of the triceps and the ulnar nerve can exist concurrently may result in persistent snapping, elbow pain, and even ulnar nerve symptoms after a technically successful ulnar nerve transposition.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Recurrent intraneural ganglion cyst of the tibial nerve. Case report.

Different theories have evolved to explain the pathogenesis and the cell of origin of intraneural ganglion cysts. Reportedly only three cases of intraneural ganglion of the tibial nerve have been located within the popliteal fossa, and all of these were thought to arise within the nerve. The authors report a case of a recurrent tibial intraneural ganglion in which a connection to the proximal tibiofibular joint was demonstrated on magnetic resonance (MR) images and at surgery. Surgical ligation of the articular branch and evacuation of the cyst led to symptomatic relief, and an MR image obtained 1 year after surgery documented no recurrence. This case reinforces the fact that surgeons need to consider and search for an articular connection in all cases of intraneural ganglia, especially in those that have recurred.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Familial trigeminal neuralgia and contralateral hemifacial spasm.

A patient was evaluated with familial trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and contralateral hemifacial spasm. The mother of the patient, 5 of 10 siblings, and 1 nephew also had TN confirmed by neurologists. The transmission of TN was suggestive of an autosomal dominant inheritance. This family provides additional evidence of a genetic basis for TN in selected cases and also provokes further speculation on a common unifying hypothesis of pathophysiology in cranial rhizopathies.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Snapping of the triceps tendon over the lateral epicondyle.

We present a patient with translocation (snapping) of a portion of the triceps over the lateral epicondyle with elbow flexion. This condition is in many ways analogous to its counterpart at the medial aspect of the elbow, snapping of the medial head of the triceps, a clinical entity that is being increasingly recognized.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Cubitus varus associated with dislocation of both the medial portion of the triceps and the ulnar nerve.

Five patients with cubitus varus deformities from malunited childhood fractures had dislocation (snapping) of both the medial portion of the triceps and the ulnar nerve over the medial epicondyle. In addition to snapping, these patients had medial elbow pain or ulnar nerve symptoms. Cubitus varus shifts the line of pull of the triceps more medial, which can cause anteromedial displacement of the medial portion of the triceps during elbow flexion. The ulnar nerve is concomitantly pushed or pulled anteromedially by the triceps, and ulnar neuropathy may result from friction neuritis or from dynamic compression by the triceps against the epicondyle. Recognition of both the dislocating ulnar nerve and the snapping medial triceps is crucial in the successful treatment of this pathologic finding. In symptomatic individuals, we recommend either corrective valgus osteotomy of the distal humerus or partial excision or lateral transposition of the snapping medial triceps, or a combination of both. Alternatively, medial epicondylectomy can also eliminate the snapping. Transposition of the ulnar nerve can be performed for ulnar nerve symptoms and/or ulnar nerve instability. Using this approach, correction of the snapping and/or ulnar nerve symptoms was achieved in all cases.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Isolated paralysis of the extensor digitorum communis associated with the posterior (Thompson) approach to the proximal radius.

Seven patients presented with an isolated extensor digitorum communis (EDC) palsy immediately after undergoing surgery in which the posterior (Thompson) approach to the proximal radius was used. All had normal neurologic examination findings documented prior to surgery. In an attempt to localize this lesion, the authors studied the arborization of the terminal motor branches of the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) at the distal edge of the supinator. A common innervation pattern to the superficial extensor muscles was observed in 29 of 30 cadaveric limbs. In 10 of 10 specimens, when the EDC was subdivided into its individual bellies, a reproducible pattern emerged: the proximal EDC muscles of the middle and ring fingers were supplied primarily by the recurrent nerve branch(es) and the EDC muscles of the index and little fingers, by separate nerve branches. Consistent with our anatomic findings, perioperative stimulation of the recurrent branch in 1 neurologically intact patient resulted in middle and ring finger extension. Electromyography in 8 normal limbs showed that the middle and ring fingers could be activated together without the index and little fingers in all cases. We believe that these patients with isolated EDC nerve palsy may have sustained an iatrogenic injury to EDC motor branches, distal to the supinator rather than to a PIN fascicle near the proximal supinator.

Cadaver↗
PubMed1998

Snapping of the medial head of the triceps and recurrent dislocation of the ulnar nerve. Anatomical and dynamic factors.

We describe seventeen patients (twenty-two limbs) who had snapping (dislocation) of both the ulnar nerve and the medial head of the triceps over the medial epicondyle. Two patients (two limbs) were seen because of painless snapping, four patients (five limbs) had snapping and pain in the medial aspect of the elbow, three patients (three limbs) had symptoms related to the ulnar nerve only, and six patients (seven limbs) had snapping and symptoms related to the ulnar nerve. In addition, snapping was identified incidentally on routine screening in five asymptomatic limbs in four patients, one of whom was seen because of snapping and symptoms related to the ulnar nerve on the contralateral side. The diagnosis was confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging or computerized tomography, or both, in all but the first three patients, in whom the operative findings were confirmatory. Only six patients (seven limbs) were sufficiently symptomatic to be managed operatively. Of these six patients, five (six limbs) who had symptoms related to the ulnar nerve had lateral transposition or excision of the dislocating medial head of the triceps in addition to decompression and transposition of the ulnar nerve. Two of these patients had had persistent symptoms immediately after a previous transfer of the ulnar nerve performed at another institution for symptoms related to, and well documented dislocation of, the ulnar nerve; we performed the index procedure to correct the postoperative snapping, which was the result of an unrecognized dislocation of the medial head of the triceps in one patient and the result of an accessory triceps tendon in the other. One patient who had pain in the medial part of the elbow, snapping (without symptoms related to the ulnar nerve), and cubitus varus had a valgus osteotomy of the distal aspect of the humerus that corrected the line of pull of the triceps and relieved the snapping. All of the patients who were managed operatively had an excellent result (no snapping, no symptoms related to the ulnar nerve, and a full range of motion), at an average of 4.5 years postoperatively. Non-operative treatment provided control of symptoms related to the ulnar nerve in four limbs and control of pain from the snapping in four limbs. Snapping on the medial side of the elbow, even if it is associated with symptoms related to the ulnar nerve, is not necessarily caused by dislocation of the ulnar nerve alone. Patients who have a transposition of the ulnar nerve, especially those who have dislocation of the ulnar nerve, should be examined intraoperatively with the elbow in flexion and extension so that the surgeon can be certain that the medial head of the triceps does not snap over the medial epicondyle. Failure to recognize concurrent dislocation of the ulnar nerve and the medial head of the triceps can result in persistent, symptomatic snapping after an otherwise successful transposition of the ulnar nerve.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Tardy sciatic nerve palsy following apophyseal avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity. Case report.

This 4 1-year-old man presented with a 2-year history of symptoms and signs of sciatic nerve compression. Imaging studies revealed a large ossified fragment within the biceps muscle of the thigh abutting the sciatic nerve at the level of the lesser trochanter. The bony fragment resulted from an unrecognized apophyseal avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity, which the patient had sustained while sprinting 27 years earlier. External neurolysis of the sciatic nerve and excision of the mass led to a successful outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Dislocating medial triceps and ulnar neuropathy in three generations of one family.

Variations in the medial triceps in conjunction with bilateral ulnar neuropathy have been identified in three generations of one family also possessing the phenotype of Waardenburg syndrome (a rare autosomal-dominant disorder with clinical features including cochlear deafness, dystopia canthorum, and pigmentation problems). To our knowledge, no other inherited condition with triceps anomalies has been reported. Study of this family provided insight into the relationship between dislocating medial triceps and ulnar neuropathy and demonstrated that a broad spectrum of clinical presentations exists-from being completely asymptomatic to producing symptomatic snapping and ulnar neuropathy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Tardy posterior interosseous nerve palsy due to childhood osteomyelitis: a case report.

A partial posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) paralysis developed in a patient more than 2 decades after having childhood osteomyelitis of the metaphysis of the radius. In previous reports of tardy PIN palsy, the radial head was dislocated (frequently in cases of unrecognized Monteggia fracture-dislocations), causing compression at the arcade of Frohse. In the patient whose case is discussed here, the radial head was located; compression of the PIN at the arcade of Frohse, in combination with traction against inflamed periosteum, likely resulted in the late development of clinical symptoms and signs.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A comparative mechanical analysis of plate fixation in a proximal phalangeal fracture model.

A biomechanical study compared the mechanical properties of hand and craniofacial plating systems commonly used in proximal phalangeal fractures. Two plates of each of the various systems were mounted dorsally on a yellow-birch-dowel model of a proximal phalanx after a transverse cut was made in the middle of the section of the dowel, modeling a midshaft transverse osteotomy or fracture. Torsional rigidity, as well as four-point bending rigidity in apex dorsal, lateral and volar directions, was achieved. Failure testing in apex palmar four-point bending was then examined. Between plating systems, torsion varied 1,600% and results of apex palmar testing varied 1,500%. Apex palmar moment-to-failure testing varied 1,000% and represented a 3.5%-38% range of intact proximal phalangeal strength. This also represented 12%-128% of the maximum calculated in vivo bending moments of the proximal phalanx. The wide variation in plate strengths and stiffness raises questions as to the suitability of certain plating systems with regard to early mobilization. Moreover, some plating systems tested were mechanically weaker than the reported strengths of certain Kirschner wire fixation techniques.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗