Accessory Nerve to Suprascapular Nerve Transfer to Restore Shoulder Exorotation in Otherwise Spontaneously Recovered Obstetric Brachial Plexus Lesions

Neurosurgery ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 858-869 ◽  
Author(s):  
Willem J.R. van Ouwerkerk ◽  
Bernard M.J. Uitdehaag ◽  
Rob L.M. Strijers ◽  
Frans Nollet ◽  
Kurt Holl ◽  
...  

Abstract OBJECTIVE: A systematic follow-up of infants with an obstetric brachial plexus lesion of C5 and C6 or the superior trunk showing satisfactory spontaneous recovery of shoulder and arm function except for voluntary shoulder exorotation, who underwent an accessory to suprascapular nerve transfer to improve active shoulder exorotation, to evaluate for functional recovery, and to understand why other superior trunk functions spontaneously recover in contrast with exorotation. METHODS: In 54 children, an accessory to suprascapular nerve transfer was performed as a separate procedure at a mean age of 21.7 months. Follow-up examinations were conducted before and at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 36 months after operation and included scoring of shoulder exorotation and abduction. Intraoperative reactivity of spinatus muscles and additional needle electromyographic responses were registered after electrostimulation of suprascapular nerves. Histological examination of suprascapular nerves was performed. Trophy of spinatus muscles was followed by magnetic resonance imaging scanning. The influence of perinatal variables and results of ancillary investigations on outcome were evaluated. RESULTS: Exorotation improved from 70 degrees to functional levels exceeding 0 degrees, except in two patients. Abduction improved in 27 patients, with results of 90 degrees or more in 49 patients. Electromyography at 4 months did not show signs of denervation in 39 out of 40 patients. Intraoperative electrostimulation of suprascapular nerves elicited spinatus muscle reaction in 44 out of 48 patients. Histology of suprascapular nerves was normal. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging scans showed only minor wasting of spinatus muscles in contrast with major wasting after successful operations. CONCLUSION: An accessory to suprascapular nerve transfer is effective to restore active exorotation when performed as the primary or a separate secondary procedure in children older than 10 months of age. Contradictory spontaneous recovery of other superior trunk functions and integrity of suprascapular nerves, as well as absence of spinatus muscle wasting direct to central nervous changes are possible main causes for the lack of exorotation.

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (04) ◽  
pp. 405-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
James F. Griffith ◽  
Radhesh Krishna Lalam

AbstractWhen it comes to examining the brachial plexus, ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are complementary investigations. US is well placed for screening most extraforaminal pathologies, whereas MRI is more sensitive and accurate for specific clinical indications. For example, MRI is probably the preferred technique for assessment of trauma because it enables a thorough evaluation of both the intraspinal and extraspinal elements, although US can depict extraforaminal neural injury with a high level of accuracy. Conversely, US is probably the preferred technique for examination of neurologic amyotrophy because a more extensive involvement beyond the brachial plexus is the norm, although MRI is more sensitive than US for evaluating muscle denervation associated with this entity. With this synergy in mind, this review highlights the tips for examining the brachial plexus with US and MRI.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 58 (6) ◽  
pp. 1081-1089 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Sinclair ◽  
Steven D. Chang ◽  
Iris C. Gibbs ◽  
John R. Adler

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Intramedullary spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) have an unfavorable natural history that characteristically involves myelopathy secondary to progressive ischemia and/or recurrent hemorrhage. Although some lesions can be managed successfully with embolization and surgery, AVM size, location, and angioarchitecture precludes treatment in many circumstances. Given the poor outlook for such patients, and building on the successful experience with radiosurgical ablation of cerebral AVMs, our group at Stanford University has used CyberKnife (Accuray, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) to treat selected spinal cord AVMs since 1997. In this article, we retrospectively analyze our preliminary experience with this technique. METHODS: Fifteen patients with intramedullary spinal cord AVMs (nine cervical, three thoracic, and three conus medullaris) were treated by image-guided SRS between 1997 and 2005. SRS was delivered in two to five sessions with an average marginal dose of 20.5 Gy. The biologically effective dose used in individual patients was escalated gradually over the course of this study. Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging follow-up were carried out annually, and spinal angiography was repeated at 3 years. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up period of 27.9 months (range, 3–59 mo), six of the seven patients who were more than 3 years from SRS had significant reductions in AVM volumes on interim magnetic resonance imaging examinations. In four of the five patients who underwent postoperative spinal angiography, persistent AVM was confirmed, albeit reduced in size. One patient demonstrated complete angiographic obliteration of a conus medullaris AVM 26 months after radiosurgery. There was no evidence of further hemorrhage after CyberKnife treatment or neurological deterioration attributable to SRS. CONCLUSION: This description of CyberKnife radiosurgical ablation demonstrates its feasibility and apparent safety for selected intramedullary spinal cord AVMs. Additional experience is necessary to ascertain the optimal radiosurgical dose and ultimate efficacy of this technique.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 737-746
Author(s):  
Yiwen Hu ◽  
Yuyang Zhang ◽  
Qianru Li ◽  
Yuxue Xie ◽  
Rong Lu ◽  
...  

Background: Cartilage degeneration is a common issue in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability. However, there are limited studies regarding the effectiveness of lateral ligament surgery on preventing talar and subtalar joint cartilage from further degenerative changes. Purpose: To longitudinally evaluate talar and subtalar cartilage compositional changes using magnetic resonance imaging T2* mapping in anatomic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL)–repaired and ATFL-reconstructed ankles and to compare them with measures in asymptomatic controls. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Between January 2015 and December 2016, patients with chronic lateral ankle instability who underwent anatomic ATFL repair (n = 19) and reconstruction (n = 20) were prospectively recruited. Patients underwent 3.0-T magnetic resonance imaging at baseline and 3-year follow-up. As asymptomatic controls, 21 healthy volunteers were recruited and underwent imaging at baseline. Talar dome cartilage was divided into (1) medial anterior, central, and posterior and (2) lateral anterior, central, and posterior. Posterior subtalar cartilage was divided into (1) central talus and calcaneus and (2) lateral talus and calcaneus. Ankle function was assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society scores. Results: There were significant increases in T2* values in medial and lateral posterior and central talus cartilage from baseline to 3-year follow-up in patients who underwent repair. T2* values were significantly higher in ATFL-repaired ankles at follow-up for all cartilage regions of interest, except medial and lateral anterior and lateral central, compared with those in healthy controls. From baseline to 3-year follow-up, ATFL-reconstructed ankles had a significant increase in T2* values in lateral central and posterior cartilage. T2* values in ATFL-reconstructed ankles at follow-up were elevated in all cartilage regions of interest, except medial and lateral anterior, compared with those in healthy controls. ATFL-repaired ankles showed a greater decrease of T2* values from baseline to follow-up in lateral calcaneus cartilage than did ATFL-reconstructed ankles ( P = .031). No significant differences in American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score were found between repair and reconstruction procedures (mean ± SD, 19.11 ± 7.45 vs 16.85 ± 6.24; P = .311). Conclusion: Neither anatomic ATFL repair nor reconstruction could prevent the progression of talar dome and posterior subtalar cartilage degeneration; however, ankle function and activity levels were not affected over a short period. Patients who underwent ATFL repair exhibited lower T2* values in the lateral calcaneus cartilage than did those who underwent reconstruction.


Author(s):  
Shinya Ito ◽  
Akihiro Isotani ◽  
Kyohei Yamaji ◽  
Kenji Ando

Abstract Background  Löffler endocarditis is a condition characterized by cardiac infiltration of eosinophils. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a modality for the diagnosis of myocardial damage. Case summary  This is the case of a 77-year-old man with acute decompensated heart failure who was admitted. Transthoracic echocardiography showed preserved left ventricular (LV) systolic function along with LV thrombi attached to the septo-apical wall and the posterior wall, consistent with Löffler endocarditis. Cardiac MRI revealed obliteration of the LV apex and partial filling of the LV cavity, as well as near circumferential subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in the mid- and apical segments. T2-weighted images showed a near circumferential high-intensity area of the LV subendocardial muscle in the mid- and apical segments. High-dose corticosteroids and intravenous heparin were initiated, followed by maintenance warfarin therapy. At 18 months, follow-up cardiac MRI revealed the disappearance of the LV thrombi, and a reduction of LGE, as well as high-intensity areas in the T2-weighted images. Discussion  The high-intensity area of T2-weighted images indicate the presence of subendocardial oedema. Eosinophil-mediated heart damage evolves through three stages: (i) acute necrotic, (ii) thrombotic, and (iii) fibrotic stages. Since the deposition of toxic eosinophil granule proteins and eosinophil infiltration injured the endocardium, the first-line treatment for Löffler endocarditis is corticosteroid therapy. In this case, LGE in the subendocardium and the high-intensity area in the T2-weighted images were reduced at 18 months. High-intensity areas of T2-weighted images in the acute phase might indicate the possibility of therapeutic response to corticosteroid therapy.


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