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Simple neurolysis for failed anterior submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve at the elbow.

From 1996 to 2000, we reoperated nine patients totally dissatisfied after previous surgery for cubital tunnel syndrome. All patients had simple external neurolysis in situ of the transposed ulnar nerve. Only the anterior aspect of the ulnar nerve was dissected and released. Dense scarring around the ulnar nerve was found to be the main cause of recurrence but could not explain the three initial cases of persistent symptoms. All patients were reviewed 2 years after the secondary neurolysis. The patients were asked to describe their remaining symptoms and examination included palpation of the ulnar nerve at the elbow, Tinel's sign, two-point discrimination, and palpation of the scar. Pinch and grip strength were measured. According to the Wilson and Krout classification, there were four good results with complete alleviation of symptoms, four fair results, and one poor result. Simple neurolysis proved to be effective after failed anterior submuscular transposition of the ulnar nerve at the elbow.

Adult↗

Preoperative and intraoperative topographic diagnosis of insulinomas.

Altogether 120 patients with organic hyperinsulinism underwent clinical examination and treatment (38 male, 82 female, mean age 44.2 +/- 4.6 years). The cause of hyperinsulinism was benign insulinomas in 96 (80.0%), malignant tumors in 9 (7.5%), and hyperplasia of beta cells in 6 (5.0%). In 9 (7.5%) patients the origin of hyperinsulinism was not diagnosed. The tumor was localized in the head, body, and tail of the pancreas in 31.8%, 36.4%, and 31.8% of cases, respectively. Intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) was undertaken in 37 patients, and in 83 cases only intraoperative palpation was done. Arterial stimulated venous sampling (ASVS) was performed in 17 patients (blood was sampled from the right hepatic vein for determination of the insulin level after arterial stimulation by calcium gluconate in different parts of the pancreas). The sensitivity of ultrasonography (US) was 29.5%, computed tomography (CT) 24.2%, angiography 55.9%, superselective angiography (branches of the celiac trunk) 72.2%, and intraoperative palpation 90.0%. ASVS showed an accuracy of 90.0%. Combining angiography with ASVS gave an exact diagnosis of hyperinsulinism in 100% of cases, and IOUS revealed tumors in 100% of cases. Hyperplasia of beta-cells was diagnosed only by means of ASVS. A total of 117 patients underwent surgery, including distal resection of pancreas (n = 39), enucleation of tumor (n = 70), and laparotomy (n = 8). The postoperative mortality associated with insulinomas was 7.7%. The frequency of postoperative complications was 43.6%. Benign insulinomas recurred at a rate of 5.4%. Patients with malignant insulinomas had a 5-year survival of 66.0%. The diagnosis of insulinomas was achieved by a combination of selective angiography, ASVS, and IOUS.

Adult↗

A short course of dissection for second-year medical students at the School of Medicine of Padova.

A "Short course of dissection" was introduced in 1999 for the second-year medical students at the University of Padova. The course aims to offer a direct experience of practical anatomy despite a shortage of time for anatomy courses and lack of availability of cadavers. The course is optional and is planned for 40 students, subdivided into eight working groups. It consists of five sessions on the following topics: the viscera of the male pelvis; the viscera of the female pelvis; the kidney, the testis and spermatic cord; the thorax and abdomen; the brain. Each session lasts 3 hours and is organized as follow: (A) Theory: Teacher: concise review of the systematic and topographic anatomy of the selected topic (20 min); Students: analysis of a dissection guide (20 min). (B) Practice: Students: identification of the viscera and vascular and nervous structures, through inspection and palpation (15 min); step-by-step dissection following the worksheet (80 min); presentation of the visceral blocks as prosections under a closed-circuit telecamera (anatomical variability) (30 min); Teachers and students: three-dimensional conceptualization tests (15 min). At the end of the 2000 and 2001 courses, a questionnaire was administered to the students and the results confirm the usefulness of dissection for developing a three-dimensional knowledge of anatomy. In our opinion the main guidelines in planning a short course of dissection are: (1) selection of the topics, aimed at allowing experience of the gross anatomy of single viscera, fascia and serosa as well as the evaluation of the topographical relationships between parts of different systems including the local vessels and nerves; (2) preparation of a worksheet, presenting in 10-15 points concise instructions for the step-by-step progression from inspection to palpation and dissection of the anatomical structures of the visceral block; (3) direct dissection, brief and selective, by students; (4) clinical correlation; (5) motivational teachers, who stimulate the active involvement of students in "learning by doing" and also "learning how to do".

Anatomy↗

Which of the three different tender points assessment methods is more useful for predicting the severity of fibromyalgia syndrome?

Digital palpation, myalgic scoring and dolorimetry are frequently used to count tender points in fibromyalgia syndrome. We aimed to investigate the probable relation between tender points count and fibromyalgia impact questionnaire and to assess which of the tender point counting methods is the most successful in predicting the severity of the disease. Tender point areas of 36 patients with fibromyalgia syndrome were assessed with three methods which are myalgic scoring, digital and dolorimetric tender points counting methods. Fibromyalgia impact questionnaire was used to measure the disease severity. The correlation between each of the assessment methods and fibromyalgia impact questionnaire was investigated. The mean count of digitally evaluated tender points was 14.86 +/- 2.67 and by dolorimetry was 11.81 +/- 4.48. The mean total myalgic score was found to be 24.61 +/- 8.91. All of the tender point evaluation methods correlated positively with each other (P < 0.01). Fibromyalgia impact questionnaire score was also correlated with only digital palpation tender point count of these three evaluation methods (r = 0.427, P < 0.05). Digital tender point count seemed to be sufficient for assessment, and there is no need for an additional instrument for tender point evaluation.

Adult↗

Effect of eccentric exercise on patients with chronic exertional compartment syndrome.

There are a number of similarities between chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) and the effects of high force eccentric contractions in healthy controls. We hypothesised that CECS patients would be particularly susceptible to pain, fatigue and swelling after eccentric exercise. Ten CECS patients [aged 30.3 (8.0) years, mean (SD)], 7 males) and 14 healthy controls [aged 32.3 (9.0) years, 7 males] performed 40 maximal eccentric contractions of the anterior tibial muscles at an angular velocity of 90(o) s(-1). Maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVC), force generated by electrical stimulation at 10 Hz and 50 Hz and muscle thickness (measured by real-time ultrasound scanning) were measured before exercise and for 10 min afterwards. Ratings of pain and tenderness were made before exercise, then 24 h and 48 h later. The two groups were comparable for initial isometric strength and muscle size. MVC force immediately after exercise fell to 90 (2.5)% [mean (SEM)] in patients and 86.5 (2.4)% in controls (P<0.0005 for both groups) and had not recovered after 10 min. Preferential loss of force at the low stimulation frequency occurred in both groups to a similar extent (20%, P<0.0005) and continued to decline over 10 min of recovery. There was no significant change in muscle thickness in either group. Only mild pain and tenderness were reported by the controls. The patients showed great individual variation but their mean pain scores were significantly higher during dorsiflexion and palpation (P<0.05) 24 h after exercise. After 48 h the patients reported more pain during dorsiflexion (P=0.005), plantarflexion (P<0.05) and palpation (P<0.05). These results suggest that some, but not all, CECS patients may be more susceptible to the pain associated with eccentric contractions that is thought to be the cause of damage and inflammation of connective tissue.

Adult↗

A tactile sensor for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

During laparoscopic surgery, surgeons observe the three-dimensional abdominal cavity on a two-dimensional TV monitor, which is a limitation. Another limitation is that surgeons are unable to estimate the softness of organs or tissues during laparoscopic surgery as they are only allowed to use instruments which touch objects and direct palpation is not permitted during the procedure. The tactile sensor which we used displays the object softness immediately as a digital score, which can then be superimposed on a TV monitor as a graph. With the tactile sensor, we were able to ascertain the presence of a gallstone in the gallbladder or cholecystic duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and also able to discriminate between a stone and an air bubble during intraoperative cholangiography. We were convinced that the tactile sensor would be useful in laparoscopic surgery, which does not permit surgeons to palpate objects with human fingers.

Cholangiography↗

A poly(propylene glycol-co-fumaric acid) based bone graft extender for lumbar spinal fusion: in vivo assessment in a rabbit model.

STUDY DESIGN: An animal model of posterolateral intertransverse process lumbar spinal fusion compared fusion rates amongst autologous bone (group 1), a porous, bioabsorbable, scaffold based on the biopolymer, poly(propylene glycol-co-fumaric acid) (PPF) (group 2), and a combination of autograft and the bioabsorbable scaffold (group 3). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility of augmenting spinal fusion with an osteoconductive and bioabsorbable scaffold as an alternative or as an adjunct, i.e., an extender, to autograft. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: There is little preclinical data on applications of bioabsorable bone graft extenders in spinal fusion. METHODS: New Zealand White rabbits underwent single-level lumbar posterolateral intertransverse process fusion. Animals were treated with one of three materials: autologous bone (group 1), a bioabsorable material based on PPF (group 2), and the PPF biopolymer scaffold with autologous bone graft (group 3). Animals were evaluated at 6 weeks, and fusion was evaluated by manual palpation, and radiographic, histologic, and histomorphometric analyses. RESULTS: Radiographic and manual palpation showed evidence of fusion in all three groups. Histomorphometric measurement of bone ingrowth showed the highest quantity of new bone in group 3 (91%), followed by group 1 (72%) and group 2 (53%). CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study suggested that osteoconductive bioabsorbable scaffolds prepared from PPF might be used as an autograft extender when applied as an adjunct to spinal fusion.

Animals↗

[Arthrocentesis--a highly efficient therapy for acute TMJ arthropathy].

PURPOSE: This clinical study deals with the efficiency of arthrocentesis in acute arthropathy of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total 142 patients (41.5 years average) were included in the examination. Inclusion criteria were a restriction of mouth opening <40 mm and/or TMJ pain >3 on a visual analog scale (VAS). The first examination took place the day before surgery; follow-up was performed 1 day and 4 weeks after arthrocentesis. Study parameters were active mouth opening, TMJ pain on preauricular or intra-auricular palpation, myalgia of the temporalis or masseter muscle, and a deviation clicking or crepitation during mouth opening. Arthrocentesis was performed in all patients under general anesthesia by a double puncture, continuous rinsing technique in an inferolateral approach as recommended by Murakami. The upper temporomandibular joint space was rinsed with 250 ml of a physiological sterile saline solution and a pressure of 200 mmHg. RESULTS: Arthrocentesis resulted in a highly significant increase of mouth opening and a highly significant reduction of TMJ pain on palpation (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: It can be postulated that TMJ arthrocentesis represents a highly efficient therapy of acute TMJ arthropathy. Whether the results have to be judged as a palliative short-time therapy or if even long-term results can be achieved has to be proved by long-term follow-up studies.

Acute Disease↗

Post-traumatic arteriovenous fistula presented with hypertrophic palmaris digitalis II.

A 19-year-old female was admitted to our department because of a hypertrophic palmaris digitalis II of the left hand displaying color changes. A thrill was easily palpated over the medial part of the finger. A review of her history revealed that this hypertrophy occurred after a blunt trauma to the left hand. Angiography showed arteriovenous fistulas between the digital branches of the radial and ulnar arteries and cephalic vein at the palmaris digitalis II of the left hand. These arteriovenous connections were closed with simple ligation under regional anesthesia. Post-operatively she had no sign of ischemia, and no thrill was palpated or auscultated.

Adult↗

A method for determining the grade of osteoporosis based on risk factors in postmenopausal women.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the probability of osteoporosis and osteopenia was affected by the risk factors, physical examination findings, or radiological investigations such as spinal X-rays in postmenopausal women. We assessed risk factors such as use of hormone replacement therapy, physical activity level, calcium intake, smoking, caffeine consumption, long-term immobilization, previous history of fracture, family history of fracture, presence of certain systemic diseases (hyperthyroidism or hyperparathyroidism), or use of medications (corticosteroids or others), physical examinations, and presence of vertebral fractures on spinal X-rays. Patients' bone mineral density (BMD) was evaluated using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the lumbar spine, and we compared the risk factors between osteopenic and osteoporotic women according to DXA. We evaluated 235 postmenopausal women who attended our osteoporosis outpatient clinic. Those patients were divided into two groups as either osteopenic (n = 67, mean age: 63.1 years) or osteoporotic (n = 168, mean age: 66.2 years) according to WHO criteria. The lumbar spinal (L1-L2) T-score values were -1.5 +/- 0.6 and -3.1 +/- 0.6 in osteopenic and osteoporotic groups, respectively. There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of mean age and lumbar BMD (p = 0.009 and p < 0.001, respectively). We also observed that vertebral tenderness on palpation, back pain, and existing vertebral fracture (fx) were significantly different between the osteopenic and osteoporotic groups (p < 0.05). As a result of the statistical analysis, we found an equation to determine osteopenic and osteoporotic women by using those four factors (age, vertebral tenderness on palpation, back pain, and existing vertebral fx) in multivariate stepwise logistic regression. The equation is as follows: Y (DXA) = -2.9024 + 0.044 (age in year) + 0.819 (vertebral fx) + 0.877 (pain) + 1.136 (vertebral tenderness). We can estimate whether a postmenopausal woman is osteopenic or osteoporotic based on these risk factors by using the stepwise logistic regression equation.

Aged↗

Long-term results of polyp clearance by intraoperative enteroscopy in the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome.

PURPOSE: Enteroscopy during laparotomy for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome was introduced in our unit in 1987. Its aim is to achieve more complete polyp clearance and thereby reduce the number of subsequent laparotomies for small intestinal polyps. METHODS: All patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome who had undergone intraoperative enteroscopy since its introduction into our unit in 1987 were identified. The numbers of polyps identified by palpation and transillumination and by enteroscopy were recorded. The timing of, indications for, and findings of all subsequent laparotomies were analyzed and compared with data from our unit before the introduction of intraoperative enteroscopy. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (14 females) were studied. Enteroscopy identified 350 (median 12, range 0-35) polyps not detected by palpation and transillumination. All impalpable polyps were removed endoscopically by snare or biopsy. The median follow-up was 53 (interquartile range, 13-133) months. Six patients have had an additional laparotomy (1 urgent relaparotomy for small-bowel perforation after endoscopic polypectomy, 4 polypectomies, and 1 adhesion obstruction). No patient has required operative polypectomy within 4 years of polyp clearance by intraoperative enteroscopy, compared with registry data of 4 (17 percent) of 23 patients who had more than 1 laparotomy within 1 year. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative enteroscopy for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome improves polyp clearance without the need for additional enterotomies and may help to reduce the frequency of laparotomies.

Child↗

Clinical and cost effectiveness of a new hepatocellular MRI contrast agent, mangafodipir trisodium, in the preoperative assessment of liver resectability.

BACKGROUND: Improved preoperative assessment of focal liver disease and tumors could have a potentially significant impact on their treatment. Mangafodipir trisodium (Teslascan; Nycomed Amersham Imaging, Little Chalfont, UK) is a new hepatocellular contrast agent for use with state-of-the-art MR imaging that, in early reports, is accurate in detection and characterization of liver lesions. METHODS: Records and diagnostic images of all patients undergoing enhanced Teslascan MRI (T-MRI) at our institution were reviewed. We assessed the relative sensitivities of contrast-enhanced CT scan (CECT) and T-MRI in detecting lesions, as well as the impact of T-MRI in the decision to operate or not on patients. In those patients taken to surgery, the correlation between T-MRI and intraoperative palpation and intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) was determined. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients were noted on CECT to have focal liver lesions and subsequently underwent imaging with T-MRI. The T-MRI correlated with CT findings in 22 patients (41%), upstaged the liver disease in 26, and demonstrated fewer lesions in 6. Only 43 patients were considered operative candidates and T-MRI influenced the operative decision in 32 patients (74%), dissuading operative intervention in 14. In the 25 patients without clear preoperative evidence of unresectability who were taken to the operating room, T-MRI correlated with findings of intraoperative palpation in 19 (76%). In the 20 patients who underwent IOUS, T-MRI correlated with IOUS in 14 patients (70%). IOUS detected an additional nine lesions, all of which were <1 cm. Seventeen patients underwent resection and/or ablation of their liver lesions. Compared with pathology, sensitivities of CECT, T-MRI, and intraoperative evaluation were 61%, 83%, and 93%, respectively. T-MRI failed to predict hepatic-specific unresectability in only one of eight patients, the other seven having extrahepatic disease. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that T-MRI is more sensitive than CECT in the preoperative predicting of the resectability of hepatic lesions. Despite T-MRI accurately correlating with intraoperative surgical findings, IOUS should be performed on all patients prior to a final decision to resect or ablate a focal liver lesion.

Adult↗

Primary invasive vaginal carcinoma.

A review of primary vaginal carcinoma treated at the Medical University of South Carolina from January 1970 through December 1989 included 76 squamous carcinomas, 12 adenocarcinomas, and 3 undifferentiated carcinomas. Staging was done according to the system of the International Federal of Gynecology and Obstetrics as modified by Perez et al. Stages I, II, III, and IV included 25, 39, 15, and 12 patients, respectively. Corrected 5-year survival rates were 73% for stage I, 39% for stage II, 38% for stage III, and 25% for stage IV. Sixteen percent of patients had received prior pelvic radiation. Invasive cervical cancer preceded vaginal cancer in 21% of patients. Detection of cancer was accomplished by routine cytologic testing in 17% of patients, palpation of an asymptomatic mass in 10% of patients, or palpation of a symptomatic mass in 72% of patients. Eighty-seven percent of patients were treated with radiation therapy. Survival curves of patients grouped by stage and other potential prognostic factors were compared. Lower stage (p less than 0.01), younger age (p less than 0.02), and no symptoms at detection (p less than 0.01) were statistically significant favorable prognostic factors. Histologic type, extent of vaginal involvement, vaginal location, prior radiation therapy, prior cervical cancer, and prior hysterectomy are factors that did not significantly affect survival.

Adult↗

Intraoperative ultrasonic imaging of the ascending aorta in ischemic heart disease.

In an attempt to locate any atherosclerotic lesion in the ascending aorta and to prevent embolization, intraoperative B-mode ultrasonography was performed in 100 patients with ischemic heart disease (31 women and 69 men). Ultrasonography was carried out with a 10-MHz probe placed directly on the ascending aorta. Ultrasonic imaging demonstrated an atherosclerotic lesion in the lower half of the aorta in 76 patients (76%), a lesion in the upper half of the aorta in 89 patients (89%), and a lesion at the orifice of the innominate artery in 99 patients (99%). Prospective palpation identified an atherosclerotic lesion in 12 (25%) of 48 patients. Thoracic computed tomography in 79 patients showed calcification in the lower half of the aorta in 6 patients (7.6%) and in the upper half of the aorta in 11 (13.9%). Palpation and thoracic computed tomography underestimated the frequency of atherosclerotic lesions. Intraoperative ultrasonography accurately identified atherosclerotic disease. This technique allows the surgeon to modify cannulation, aortic clamping, and operative technique to reduce the risk of perioperative stroke due to embolization of atherosclerotic debris from the ascending aorta.

Aorta↗

Inaccuracies and variability of indirect pressure measurements during cardioplegia administration.

This study shows cardioplegic delivery requires direct measurement of intravascular pressure, rather than its estimation by calibration of individual delivery systems or by aortic palpation. The effects of temperature, hematocrit, flow rate, and cannula type were tested in vitro after recording intravascular pressure during routine cardiac operations. Inaccuracies were introduced by estimating intravascular pressure, as changes in blood viscosity are affected by hematocrit and temperature, and delivery system pressure varied in relation with the type of cannula, direction of perfusion, and flow rate. Additionally, clinical delivery introduces the variable of intravascular resistance. The variability of direct intravascular pressure versus predicted pressure increased as flow rate was raised. These inaccuracies were overcome completely by directly monitoring intravascular pressure from the side ports of antegrade and retrograde cannulas. We conclude that (1) monitoring cardioplegic delivery device pressure is useful primarily to detect potential obstruction in the delivery system that must be corrected intraoperatively and (2) predicted pressure (by either palpation or in vitro calibration) is an unreliable method of determining intravascular pressure during cardioplegic delivery.

Blood Pressure↗

Neck ultrasonography for thoracic esophageal carcinoma.

The value of ultrasonography for detecting positive cervical lymph nodes in patients with intrathoracic esophageal carcinoma was studied. Positive cervical lymph nodes were detected by palpation in 26 of 209 patients. In 83 patients without palpable nodes, the sensitivity and the accuracy of ultrasonography for cervical lymph node metastases were 78.9% and 94.0%, respectively. Ultrasonography was useful for detecting positive cervical nodes in patients with intrathoracic esophageal carcinoma. For the 16 patients with positive cervical nodes detected by ultrasonography who underwent esophagectomy and neck lymph node dissection, the median survival was 26 months (range, 3 to 70 months), and the 3-year survival rate was 43.8%. There was a significant difference between the postoperative survival curves of the 12 patients with palpable cervical nodes and that of the 16 patients with positive cervical nodes detected by ultrasonography. In patients with intrathoracic esophageal carcinoma in whom palpation reveals no positive nodes, we believe that even if positive cervical nodes are revealed by ultrasonography, surgical intervention cannot be ruled out, and neck lymph node dissection is recommended for cure.

Aged↗

The evaluation of anti-parkinson drugs on reserpine-induced rigidity in rats.

The effect of anti-parkinson drugs on reserpine-induced rigidity was examined using a technique which measured rigidity by hind limb palpation. Centrally acting dopaminergic and anti-cholinergic drugs were able to antagonize reserpine-induced rigidity, whereas peripherally acting drugs had no effect. Results are discussed in terms of possible modes of action. Relative potencies of the drugs studied in this model were well correlated with the dose ranges of clinically established anti-parkinson drugs. It is concluded that measurement of reserpine-induced rigidity by hind limb palpation is a rapid and sensitive technique to evaluate potential anti-parkinson drugs.

Amantadine↗

Axial electromyogram and intervertebral length gauge responses during lordosis behavior in rats.

Electromyogram activity from transversospinalis (TS) and lateral longissimus (LL) muscles was recorded concomitant with resistance changes of an intervertebral length gauge during manually elicited lordosis performance. Subjects were estrogen-treated ovariectomized rats. The EMG activity was evoked by manual stimulation of the cutaneous fields contacted by the male rat during mounting. During bilateral palpation of flanks at 2/s, time-locked bursts of EMG activity or more generalized EMG activation was recorded. The EMG response was accompanied by continuous and cumulative length gauge shortening, reflecting progressive rump elevation. The earliest recorded length gauge response had a latency of 10 ms from the first flank stimulus in a sequence of repetitive palpations. Perineal pressure recruited motor units in both the TS and LL which fired at high frequency. The latencies of EMG responses from the TS tended to be briefer than those from the LL; 24/35 TS responses were within 50 ms of the onset of perineal pressure. During some lordoses, the EMG response in both muscles was substantially briefer than the duration of the pressure stimulus and of the length gauge response. Activation of axial muscles during postural adjustments, standing, turning, and other behaviors is also reported. These data represent the first analysis of axial EMG and vertebral length gauge recordings during an endocrine-dependent mammalian behavior.

Animals↗