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Mechanism of rib cage inspiratory muscle recruitment in diaphragmatic paralysis.

Paralysis of the diaphragm promotes an increase in the activation of the rib cage inspiratory muscles, and previous studies have suggested that this compensation is primarily due to vagal mechanisms (6). To test this hypothesis, we have assessed the effect of diaphragmatic paralysis on the electrical response of 19 parasternal intercostal muscles in eight anesthetized, vagotomized, spontaneously breathing dogs in the supine posture. Complete diaphragmatic paralysis was induced by section of the C5, C6, and C7 phrenic nerve roots in the neck. With the animals breathing room air, diaphragmatic paralysis resulted in a mean 94% increase in the peak height of integrated parasternal activity (p less than 0.001) associated with a 14 mm Hg decrease in arterial PO2 (p less than 0.05) and an 8 mm Hg increase in arterial PCO2 (p less than 0.001). The augmented parasternal activity was unrelated to the duration of inspiration and persisted when the animals were given a hyperoxic gas mixture. Thus the rib cage inspiratory muscles still compensate for diaphragmatic paralysis in the absence of vagal signals and of hypoxemia. This compensation probably results from the considerably augmented CO2 load placed on the extradiaphragmatic muscles.

Animals↗

Vocal cord paralysis caused by esophageal cancer surgery.

Esophageal cancer surgery was the cause of paralysis in 111 (16.7%) of 664 patients with vocal cord paralysis seen from 1981 to 1990 at Kurume University Hospital. Eighty-six patients had unilateral paralysis, whereas 25 had bilateral lesions. Of the 111, 95 (86%) had hoarseness and 59 (53%) had aspiration. The crude survival rate was 63% for 1-year, 32% for 3-year, and 22% for 5-year follow-up. The average life expectancy was short. The general condition was poor in many patients. Thirty-four of the 136 paralytic vocal cords (25%) recovered mobility. An intracordal silicone injection was done in 30 patients, and a medialization procedure was performed in 1. The vocal function was improved in the majority of cases. In 4 patients, severe aspiration persisted following intracordal injection. Of the 4, 1 had cricopharyngeal myotomy and laryngeal suspension and 2 underwent total laryngectomy. The fourth patient died of aspiration pneumonia. The results of the review of the 111 patients have led us to the following treatment policy for patients with vocal cord paralysis caused by esophageal cancer surgery. When the patient has aspiration, vocal cord medialization should be performed as early as possible. If severe aspiration persists even after the medialization procedure, some additional intervention, including cricopharyngeal myotomy, laryngeal suspension, laryngotracheal separation, or total laryngectomy, should be considered. When hoarseness is the only major problem, the prognosis of vocal cord paralysis should be determined on the basis of the state of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and, if available, electromyography findings.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Electromyography↗

Contemporary evaluation of unilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Unilateral vocal cord paralysis is a common finding in the practice of otolaryngology. Multiple etiologies have been described and have not changed appreciably in the last century. We attempted to characterize the contemporary evaluation of unilateral vocal cord paralysis, with consideration given to cost-effectiveness. Thirty-one board-certified otolaryngologists were interviewed to determine their typical evaluation protocol. The average cost of an evaluation totaled $1706.18, with a range of $112.56 to $3439.52. Otolaryngologists with more years of experience tended to pursue briefer and less expensive evaluations. The charts of 187 patients with a diagnosis of vocal paralysis from 1983 to 1991 were reviewed, of which 113 were evaluable. Eighty-four of these 113 (74%) were unilateral. In 48 of 84 cases (57%), the cause was apparent at the time of diagnosis. In 36 of 84 cases (43%), an evaluation was necessary. A diagnosis was achieved in 27 of these 36 instances (75%), with the most useful test being a chest roentgenogram (n = 13, 48%). The most common cause of unilateral vocal cord paralysis in our series was neoplasm (n = 34, 40%), followed by surgical trauma (n = 29, 35%). In no instance was a malignancy discovered subsequent to the initial evaluation. The most cost-efficient, inclusive diagnostic evaluation of unilateral vocal cord paralysis involves a stepwise progression through the tests that are most likely to yield a diagnosis, with endoscopy reserved for those cases in which simpler, less invasive tests have not indicated a cause.

Adult↗

Epidemiology of childhood Guillain-Barré syndrome as a cause of acute flaccid paralysis in Honduras: 1989-1999.

The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of acute flaccid paralysis in the pediatric population of Honduras over an 11-year period, determine what percentage of acute flaccid paralysis was Guillain-Barré syndrome, and identify the epidemiologic features of Guillain-Barré syndrome. There were 546 childhood cases of acute flaccid paralysis seen between January 1989 and December 1999 at the Hospital Escuela Materno-Infantil in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Of these cases with acute flaccid paralysis, 394 (72.2%) were diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Our incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome in the Honduran pediatric population (1.37/100,000 per year) is higher than that shown in other studies. There was a significantly higher incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome in younger children (ages 1-4 years), a significant preponderance of cases from rural areas, and a mild predominance in boys but a typical clinical presentation. The Honduran pediatric Guillain-Barré syndrome population had an increased mortality rate. Guillain-Barré syndrome has become the leading cause of childhood paralysis in Honduras. A better understanding of the population at highest risk and opportunities for earlier intervention with more effective therapeutic modalities may permit reducing the mortality among Honduran children who develop Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Acute Disease↗

Cultural variation in the clinical presentation of sleep paralysis.

Sleep paralysis is one of the lesser-known and more benign forms of parasomnias. The primary or idiopathic form, also called isolated sleep paralysis, is illustrated by showing how patients from different cultures weave the phenomenology of sleep paralysis into their clinical narratives. Clinical case examples are presented of patients from Guinea Bissau, the Netherlands, Morocco, and Surinam with different types of psychopathology, but all accompanied by sleep paralysis. Depending on the meaning given to and etiological interpretations of the sleep paralysis, which is largely culturally determined, patients react to the event in specific ways.

Adult↗

[Hypokalemic thyrotoxic periodic paralysis: a case report].

A 25-year-old Caucasian man is admitted to hospital because of severe hyperthyroidism. Soon after his admission, he develops a lower limbs proximal muscles paresis with tendinous hyporeflexia. He has presented similar episodes in the previous months. Serum potassium level is 2.9 meq/l whereas it was 4.1 meq/l a few hours before. The patient receives intravenous potassium and propranolol. He will not develop a similar episode afterwards. Hypokalemic thyrotoxic periodic paralysis associated with Basedow's disease is diagnosed. Hypokalemic thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is a very rare cause of intermittent muscular weakness in the young Caucasian male. The frequency of this entity is at least ten times higher in Asiatic hyperthyroid people. Its physiopathology involves intracellular potassium shifts in which Na/K ATP-ases of cell membranes, the number and the activity of which increase in hyperthyroid people, seem to play a major role. Treatment consists of correction of hyperthyroidism and administration of potassium during the acute episode Propranolol is efficient in preventing recurrent episodes of paralysis. Points of comparison between hypokalemic thyrotoxic periodic paralysis and hypokalemic familial periodic paralysis are discussed.

Adult↗

Postoperative residual paralysis in outpatients versus inpatients.

Postoperative residual paralysis is an important complication of the use of neuromuscular blocking drugs. In this prospective study, the incidence of residual paralysis detected as a train-of-four response <90% was less frequent in surgical outpatients (38%) than inpatients (47%) (P = 0.001). This might have been the result of the more frequent use of mivacurium for outpatients. Before undertaking tracheal extubation, the anesthesiologists had applied clinical criteria (outpatients, 49%; inpatients, 45%), pharmacological reversal (26%, 25%), neuromuscular transmission monitoring (12%, 11%), or a combination of these. None of these measures seemed to reduce the incidence of residual paralysis except for quantitative train-of-four monitoring. Postoperatively, eight individual clinical tests or a sum of these tests were also unable to predict residual paralysis by train-of-four. Although the incidence of residual paralysis was less frequent in surgical outpatients, predictive criteria were not evident.

Adult↗

Surgical and nonsurgical management of facial paralysis following closed head injury.

The outcomes of facial nerve decompression, surgical exploration, and nonsurgical treatment for facial paralysis following closed head injury were analyzed in 30 patients with an intact facial nerve, and complete evaluation. Objective evaluation of outcome was achieved by calculation of a Facial Paralysis Recovery Profile and Recovery Index (Profile minus complications). Twelve of 15 patients with incomplete facial paralysis were treated medically. All followed patients with incomplete paralysis and bilaterally equal facial nerve excitability had a Recovery Index of + 10 (complete recovery of function, no complications). Three with partial denervation had a Recovery Profile of + 10 with mild contracture and synkinesis. The average Recovery Profiles for all patients treated by decompression, exploration, or nonsurgically were respectively 4.0, 5.7, and 5.7. The Recovery Indices were +1.8, +3, and +2.7, respectively. Where nerve excitability had become abnormal, facial nerve decompression was of no benefit in traumatic facial paralysis due to closed head injury. Nerve excitability tests of peripheral branches are of great value for prognosis and selection of patients who do not need surgical intervention. Substitution of facial nerve exploration for facial nerve decompression seems reasonable. Polytomography of the facial canal is invaluable in selection of patients for operation.

Adolescent↗

Vincristine-induced recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis.

Vincristine-sulfate-related vocal cord paralysis has been reported infrequently in the literature. The neurotoxicity of the vinca alkaloids is well-known; however, the potential for cranial nerve involvement is not widely recognized. Given the complexity of the typical patient receiving such a chemotherapeutic agent, the potential for misdiagnosis is high. Many patients have primary tumors or metastatic lesions in sites that could cause the clinician to overlook this reversible cause of neurologic dysfunction. This study describes the first three reported pediatric cases of vincristine-induced vocal cord paralysis. Two patients developed increasing stridor secondary to bilateral vocal cord paralysis; the third developed a unilateral vocal cord paralysis. All resolved spontaneously upon withdrawal of the vincristine. Vinca-alkaloid-induced vocal cord paralysis is a potentially dangerous but reversible lesion. Otolaryngologists should be aware of the association between these agents and cranial nerve neuropathies.

Adolescent↗

Early temporalis muscle transposition for the management of facial paralysis.

Temporalis muscle transposition is a reliable surgical technique for the reanimation of patients with long-standing facial paralysis. It is often employed when facial nerve reinnervation via crossover or cable grafting is not possible. Temporalis muscle transposition can also be used for the immediate treatment of complete facial paralysis due to insults leaving the facial nerve anatomically intact but requiring a prolonged recovery time (more than 1 year). Because temporalis muscle transposition does not interfere with neuronal regeneration, it may be employed early in the management of complete facial paralysis when recovery is predicted to be extended and incomplete. The authors report their experience with early temporalis muscle transposition in the management of facial paralysis in 56 patients with an anatomically intact facial nerve. More than 90% of these patients achieved improved symmetry at rest as well as purposeful movement at the corner of the mouth. In the last 30 patients, the temporoparietal fascial flap was simultaneously harvested and successfully used to obliterate the donor site defect. In conjunction with the immediate implantation of a gold weight in the ipsilateral upper eyelid, this approach to the early management of facial paralysis helps reduce the period of facial disability from years to weeks in a select group of patients.

Adult↗

Extra-anatomical bypass formation and exclusion of thoracic aortic aneurysms by "paired clamp method": the development of hind leg paralysis, the thrombus formation and the pressure ratio between the excluded cavity and the aorta.

The extra-anatomical bypass formation and the exclusion of thoracic aortic aneurysms by the "paired clamp method" applied to the thoracic aorta of mongrel dogs, and the development of hind leg paralysis was studied experimentally in relation to the ratio between the mean excluded cavity pressure and the mean aortic pressure ratio (EA-ratio). The relationship between thrombus formation in the excluded cavity and the EA-ratio was also studied. Animals were divided into 4 groups: Group 1 underwent the cross-clamping of the descending thoracic aorta for 8 min; Group 2 underwent exclusion of the entire thoracic aorta under permanent bypass; Group 3 underwent ligation of 2/3 of the proximal intercostal arteries which branched from the excluded thoracic aorta; and Group 4 underwent division of the excluded thoracic aorta into 3 parts by ligation. No animals in group 1 developed paralysis. When EA-ratios were higher than 0.48, animals in groups 2 and 3 were not paralyzed, whereas all but 1 animals with EA-ratios lower than or equal to 0.48 were paralyzed. There was statistically significant difference between the EA-ratio of the non-paralyzed animals and that of the paralyzed animals in groups 2 and 3. Four out of 5 animals in group 4 were paralyzed. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the EA-ratio in these 4 paralyzed animals and that in the non-paralyzed animals in groups 2 and 3. When the EA-ratio was lower than or equal to 0.59, all but 1 excluded cavities of groups 2 and 3 animals were fully thrombosed 7 or 8 days after the operation. None of these animals showed the aggravation of the paralysis during the observation period and, conversely, the paralysis of almost all animals was ameliorated. These results suggested that the EA-ratio is useful in predicting the development of paralysis and thrombus formation in the excluded cavity after the operation of thoracic aortic aneurysms by the "paired clamp method".

Animals↗

Predictors of paralysis in the rheumatoid cervical spine in patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis is sometimes associated with radiographic evidence of instability of the cervical spine, most commonly an abnormal subluxation between vertebrae. When this instability compromises the space that is available for the spinal cord, it may be predictive of paralysis. However, the prevalence of radiographic signs of instability that are predictive of paralysis among patients with nonspinal orthopaedic manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. METHODS: Radiographs of the cervical spine of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had undergone total joint arthroplasty over a five-year period were retrospectively reviewed. The radiographs were evaluated for predictors of paralysis (a posterior atlantodental interval of <14 mm or a subaxial space available for the cord measuring <14 mm) and were compared with traditional parameters of instability (an anterior atlantodental interval of >3 mm or subaxial subluxation of >3 mm). RESULTS: Forty-nine of the sixty-five patients who were identified had flexion and extension lateral radiographs available for review. Only one of these patients had a posterior atlantodental interval of <14 mm, and only three had a space available for the cord that measured <14 mm at one level or more. In comparison, twenty patients had radiographic evidence of instability on the basis of traditional parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Although nearly one-half of the patients in the present study had radiographic evidence of cervical instability on the basis of traditional measurements, only four patients (8%) had a radiographic finding that was predictive of paralysis. Thus, while radiographic evidence of cervical instability was not infrequent in this population of patients who underwent total joint arthroplasty for rheumatoid arthritis, radiographic predictors of paralysis were much less common.

Adult↗

Using CT to localize side and level of vocal cord paralysis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to assess the relative accuracy of imaging findings related to peripheral recurrent nerve paralysis on axial CT studies of the neck. Also assessed were imaging findings of a central vagal neuropathy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified 40 patients who had clinically diagnosed vocal cord paralysis and had undergone CT. Eight imaging signs of vocal cord paralysis were assessed, and an imaging distinction between a central or peripheral vagal neuropathy was made by evaluating asymmetric dilatation of the oropharynx with thinning of the constrictor muscles. In two patients, we studied the use of reformatted coronal images from a multidetector CT scanner. RESULTS: For unilateral vocal cord paralysis, the most sensitive imaging findings were ipsilateral pyriform sinus dilatation, medial positioning and thickening of the ipsilateral aryepiglottic fold, and ipsilateral laryngeal ventricle dilatation. In two patients, coronal reformatted images aided the diagnosis by better showing flattening of the subglottic arch. Imaging findings allowed localization of a central vagal neuropathy in four patients. CONCLUSION: Three reliable imaging findings associated with vocal cord paralysis were identified on routine axial CT studies: ipsilateral pyriform sinus dilatation, medial positioning and thickening of the ipsilateral aryepiglottic fold, and ipsilateral laryngeal ventricle dilatation. Coronal reformatted images of the larynx may be helpful, but they are not necessary in 95% of patients. Ipsilateral pharyngeal constrictor muscle atrophy is a helpful imaging finding to localize a more central vagal neuropathy. Our findings can aid radiologists in identifying peripheral and central vagal neuropathy in patients who present for CT of the neck who have a normal voice and are without a history suggestive of a vagal problem.

Female↗

Case of Bartter syndrome presenting with hypokalemic periodic paralysis.

Hypokalemic periodic paralysis can occur secondarily to excessive potassium loss. Thyrotoxicosis, diuretic ingestions, hyperaldosteronism, barium poisoning, Gitelman syndrome, and Bartter syndrome are among the disorders causing secondary hypokalemic periodic paralysis. Clinical presentation of Bartter syndrome with hypokalemic periodic paralysis is rare. A 12-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital because of transient paralysis. He had been suffering from transient weakness attacks for 2 years and had had a total of 10 attacks, lasting 1 to 3 days. He had growth retardation, polyuria, and polydipsia. Laboratory examinations revealed hypokalemic alkalosis, normomagnesemia, hypercalciuria, and hyperaldosteronism. The clinical and laboratory findings were in accordance with Bartter syndrome. He has been followed up for 6 months and has suffered no further paralytic attacks under indomethacin therapy. This case highlights the importance of blood pH measurement in patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis; it might prevent misdiagnosis and mismanagement in such diseases.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

Neurophysiology of ischemic facial nerve paralysis in an animal model.

The establishment of an animal model for facial nerve paralysis is assuming increasing importance in clinical medicine and also in basic facial nerve research. We previously reported an animal model for ischemic facial nerve paralysis using selective vascular embolization through the internal maxillary and posterior auricular arteries in cats using Avitene which contains bovine microfibril collagen. In this paper, we determined the exact site of the lesion in established facial paralysis. A descending signal produced by direct stimulation to the contralateral motor cortex was able to elicit firing of the motor nucleus of the facial nerve, the extra-temporal portion of the peripheral nerve, and the orbicularis oris muscle. After achieving complete facial nerve paralysis, this descending signal was completely abolished within the temporal bone area, whereas peripheral facial nerve stimulation elicited a normal evoked electromyogram of the orbicularis oris muscle. The present results suggest that the site of the lesion of ischemic facial nerve paralysis produced by embolization in an animal model is within the temporal portion of the seventh nerve, and this animal model may lead to the advancement of future facial nerve research which cannot be conducted in humans.

Angiography↗

Facial paralysis caused by malignant skull base neoplasms.

OBJECT: Bell palsy remains the most common cause of facial paralysis. Unfortunately, this term is often erroneously applied to all cases of facial paralysis. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective review of data obtained in 11 patients who were treated at a university-based referral practice between July 1988 and September 2001 and who presented with acute facial nerve paralysis mimicking Bell palsy. All patients were subsequently found to harbor an occult skull base neoplasm. A delay in diagnosis was demonstrated in all cases. Seven patients died of their disease, and four patients are currently free of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Although Bell palsy remains the most common cause of peripheral facial nerve paralysis, patients in whom neoplasms invade of the facial nerve may present with acute paralysis mimicking Bell palsy that fails to resolve. Delays in diagnosis and treatment in such cases may result in increased rates of mortality and morbidity.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Bilateral vocal cord paralysis in children].

Eighteen infantile cases with bilateral vocal cord paralysis were treated at our hospital from 1970 to 1993. All cases were diagnosed using a flexible fiberscope to examine the larynx. Direct laryngoscopy was performed under general anesthesia for the definite diagnosis and differential diagnosis from laryngomalacia, subglottic stenosis, tracheal stenosis, or laryngeal web. Bilateral vocal cord paralysis in children is a rare disease, there have been few and reported cases. Eight cases were male and 10 cases were female. Thirteen cases were congenital, 4 cases acquired and 1 case was unknown. The characteristic symptoms of bilateral vocal cord paralysis include normal or near normal phonation with inspiratory stridor which may progress to complete respiratory obstruction. Associated anomalies and diseases included 3 cases of immature infant, 2 of myelomeningocele, and single cases of Arnold-Chiari malformation, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, laryngomalacia, William's syndrome, Wiedemann-Beckwith syndrome, hypoxia, esophageal hiatus hernia, gastroesophageal reflex, spina bifida, COFS syndrome, and cerebral atrophy. Laryngeal function was completely recovered in seven cases following growth of the children incompletely recovered in five cases, and 2 cases retained right vocal cord paralysis. Tracheostomy was performed in 2 cases. One case died from the original disease, and the other one case was unknown. Swallowing function, phonation and development were good. Our experience suggests that the airway with bilateral vocal cord paralysis in children can be managed well without the need for tracheostomy.

Female↗

[Nerve paralysis after third molar extraction].

This paper described the incidence of inferior alveolar nerve paralysis following surgical removal of impacted third molars. The investigated cases were 789 patients with 1,299 teeth that were surgically extracted. Eight (0.6%) patients had the inferior alveolar nerve paralysis and one (0.08%) had lingual nerve paralysis. As for the patients with inferior alveolar nerve paralysis, the incidence was 0.4% in those aged 20 to 29 years, 0.6% in those aged 30 to 39 years, and 3.5% in those aged over 40 years. This study showed that the incidence of inferior alveolar nerve paralysis occurred more frequently in older age cases and in the cases in which the root splitting or the removing the surrounding bone was needed.

Adult↗