scholarly journals Surfer's myelopathy: case report and review

CJEM ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (05) ◽  
pp. 357-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amna Karabegovic ◽  
Shirley Strachan-Jackman ◽  
David Carr
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Lower Extremity Weakness ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
History Of ◽  
Sensory Changes

ABSTRACTNontraumatic spinal cord injury from surfing is a new entity first described in 2004 and likely of ischemic etiology. We report the case of a 25-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with a 2-week history of lower extremity weakness after surfing in Indonesia. The patient reported developing low back pain, lower extremity weakness, sensory changes, and urinary retention shortly after his first surfing lesson. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with surfer's myelopathy. The purpose of this report is to review the clinical presentation, etiology, risk factors, and management of this increasingly described entity.

scholarly journals Stroke prediction in patients presenting with isolated dizziness in the emergency department

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
June-sung Kim ◽  
Hong Jun Bae ◽  
Muyeol Kim ◽  
Shin Ahn ◽  
Chang Hwan Sohn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Cerebrovascular Injury ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
History Of ◽  
Independent Risk Factors ◽  
Record Review

AbstractDiagnosing stroke in patients experiencing dizziness without neurological deficits is challenging for physicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of acute stroke in patients who presented with isolated dizziness without neurological deficits at the emergency department (ED), and determine the relevant stroke predictors in this population. This was an observational, retrospective record review of consecutive 2215 adult patients presenting with dizziness at the ED between August 2019 and February 2020. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for acute stroke. 1239 patients were enrolled and analyzed. Acute stroke was identified in 55 of 1239 patients (4.5%); most cases (96.3%) presented as ischemic stroke with frequent involvement (29.1%) of the cerebellum. In the multivariate analysis, the history of cerebrovascular injury (odds ratio [OR] 3.08 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.24 to 7.67]) and an age of > 65 years (OR 3.01 [95% CI 1.33 to 6.83]) were the independent risk factors for predicting acute stroke. The combination of these two risks showed a higher specificity (94.26%) than that of each factor alone. High-risk patients, such as those aged over 65 years or with a history of cerebrovascular injury, may require further neuroimaging workup in the ED to rule out stroke.

Self-Myofascial Release of the Superficial Back Line Improves Sit-and-Reach Distance

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Whitney Williams ◽  
Noelle M. Selkow
Keyword(s):  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Myofascial Release ◽  
Plantar Surface ◽  
The Past ◽  
Plantar Aspect ◽  
History Of ◽  
Hamstring Flexibility

Context: Decreased hamstring flexibility can lead to a plethora of musculoskeletal injuries, including low back pain, hamstring strains, and patellofemoral pain. Lack of flexibility may be the result of myofascial adhesions. The fascia connected to the hamstrings is part of the superficial back line that runs from the cranium to the plantar aspect of the foot. Any disruption along this chain may limit the flexibility of the hamstring. Objective: To investigate if self-myofascial release (SMR) of the plantar surface of the foot in addition to the hamstring group was more effective at improving the flexibility of the hamstrings when compared with either intervention alone. Design: Cross-over study. Setting: Athletic training facility. Participants: Fifteen college students (5 males and 10 females; age: 20.9 [1.4] y, height: 173.1 [10.3] cm, mass: 80.0 [24.9] kg) who were not older than 30, with no history of low back pain or injury within the past 6 months, no history of leg pain or injury within the past 6 months, no current signs or symptoms of cervical or lumbar radicular pain, no current complaint of numbness or tingling in the lower-extremity, and no history of surgery in the lower-extremity or legs. Interventions: Each participant received each intervention separated by at least 96 hours in a randomized order: hamstring foam rolling, lacrosse ball on the plantar surface of the foot, and a combination of both. Main Outcome Measures: The sit-and-reach test evaluated hamstring flexibility of each participant before and immediately after each intervention. Results: There were no significant differences found among the SMR techniques on sit-and-reach distance (F2,41 = 2.7, P = .08, ). However, at least 20% of participants in each intervention improved sit-and-reach distance by 2.5 cm. Conclusions: SMR may improve sit-and-reach distance, but one technique of SMR does not seem to be superior to another.

scholarly journals Clinical and angioarchitectural characteristics of spinal vascular malformations of the cervical spine

2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 755-762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Waleed Brinjikji ◽  
Elisa Colombo ◽  
Giuseppe Lanzino
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Spine ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Clinical Presentation ◽  
Vascular Malformations ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Acute Onset ◽  
Lower Extremity Weakness ◽  
Arteriovenous Fistulas ◽  
Spinal Vascular Malformations ◽  
Interventional Neuroradiologist

OBJECTIVEVascular malformations of the cervical spine are exceedingly rare. To date there have been no large case series describing the clinical presentation and angioarchitectural characteristics of cervical spine vascular malformations. The authors report their institutional case series on cervical spine vascular malformations diagnosed and treated at their institution.METHODSThe authors retrospectively reviewed all patients with spinal vascular malformations from their institution from January 2001 to December 2018. Patients with vascular malformations of the cervical spine were included. Lesions were characterized by their angioarchitectural characteristics by an interventional neuroradiologist and endovascular neurosurgeon. Data were collected on clinical presentation, imaging findings, treatment outcomes, and long-term follow-up. Descriptive statistics are reported.RESULTSOf a total of 213 patients with spinal vascular malformations, 27 (12.7%) had vascular malformations in the cervical spine. The mean patient age was 46.1 ± 21.9 years and 16 (59.3%) were male. The most common presentations were lower-extremity weakness (13 patients, 48.1%), tetraparesis (8 patients, 29.6%), and lower-extremity sensory dysfunction (7 patients, 25.9%). Nine patients (33.3%) presented with hemorrhage. Fifteen patients (55.6%) had modified Rankin Scale scores of 0–2 at the time of diagnosis. Regarding angioarchitectural characteristics, 8 patients (29.6%) had intramedullary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), 5 (18.5%) had epidural arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), 4 (14.8%) had paraspinal fistulas, 4 (14.8%) had mixed epidural/intradural fistulas, 3 (11.1%) had perimedullary AVMs, 2 (7.4%) had dural fistulas, and 1 patient (3.7%) had a perimedullary AVF.CONCLUSIONSThis retrospective study of 27 patients with cervical spine vascular malformations is the largest series to date on these lesions. The authors found substantial angioarchitectural heterogeneity with the most common types being intramedullary AVMs followed by epidural AVFs, paraspinal fistulas, and mixed intradural/extradural fistulas. Angioarchitecture dictated the clinical presentation as intradural shunts were more likely to present with hemorrhage and acute onset myelopathy, while dural and extradural shunts presented as either incidental lesions or gradually progressive congestive myelopathy.

scholarly journals Stroke prediction in patients presenting with isolated dizziness in the emergency department

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
June-sung Kim ◽  
Hong Jun Bae ◽  
Muyeol Kim ◽  
Shin Ahn ◽  
Chang Hwan Sohn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Acute Stroke ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Cerebrovascular Injury ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
History Of ◽  
Independent Risk Factors ◽  
Record Review

Abstract Diagnosing stroke in patients experiencing dizziness without neurological deficits is challenging for physicians. This study tried to evaluate the prevalence of acute stroke in patients who presented with isolated dizziness without neurological deficits at the emergency department (ED), and determine the relevant stroke predictors in this population. This was an observational, retrospective record review of consecutive 2,215 adult patients presenting with dizziness at the ED between August 2019 and February 2020. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors for acute stroke. 1,239 patients were enrolled and analyzed. Acute stroke was identified in 55 of 1,239 patients (4.5%); most cases (96.3%) presented as ischemic stroke with frequent involvement (29.1%) of the cerebellum. In the multivariate analysis, the history of cerebrovascular injury (odds ratio [OR] 3.08 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.24 to 7.67]) and an age of > 65 years (OR 3.01 [95% CI 1.33 to 6.83]) were the independent risk factors for predicting acute stroke. The combination of these two risks showed a higher specificity (94.26%) than that of each factor alone. High-risk patients, such as those aged over 65 years or with a history of cerebrovascular injury, may require further neuroimaging workup in the ED to rule out stroke.

scholarly journals Design and Experimental Evaluation of a Vertical Lift Walker for Sit-to-Stand Transition Assistance

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas C. Bulea ◽  
Ronald J. Triolo
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Grip Force ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Lower Extremity Weakness ◽  
Sit To Stand ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Vertical Lift

A walker capable of providing vertical lift support can improve independence and increase mobility of individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI). Using a novel lifting mechanism, a walker has been designed to provide sit-to-stand assistance to individuals with partially paralyzed lower extremity muscles. The design was verified through experiments with one individual with SCI. The results show the walker is capable of reducing the force demands on the upper and lower extremity muscles during sit-to-stand transition compared to standard walkers. The walker does not require electrical power and no grip force or harness is necessary during sit-to-stand operation, enabling its use by individuals with limited hand function. The design concept can be extended to aid other populations with lower extremity weakness.

scholarly journals Prediction of Core and Lower Extremity Strains and Sprains in Collegiate Football Players: A Preliminary Study

2012 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 264-272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary B. Wilkerson ◽  
Jessica L. Giles ◽  
Dustin K. Seibel
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Receiver Operating Characteristic ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Operating Characteristic ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Collegiate Football ◽  
Receiver Operating

Context: Poor core stability is believed to increase vulnerability to uncontrolled joint displacements throughout the kinetic chain between the foot and the lumbar spine. Objective: To assess the value of preparticipation measurements as predictors of core or lower extremity strains or sprains in collegiate football players. Design: Cohort study. Setting: National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Championship Subdivision football program. Patients or Other Participants: All team members who were present for a mandatory physical examination on the day before preseason practice sessions began (n  =  83). Main Outcome Measure(s): Preparticipation administration of surveys to assess low back, knee, and ankle function; documentation of knee and ankle injury history; determination of body mass index; 4 different assessments of core muscle endurance; and measurement of step-test recovery heart rate. All injuries were documented throughout the preseason practice period and 11-game season. Receiver operating characteristic analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to identify dichotomized predictive factors that best discriminated injured from uninjured status. The 75th and 50th percentiles were evaluated as alternative cutpoints for dichotomization of injury predictors. Results: Players with ≥2 of 3 potentially modifiable risk factors related to core function had 2 times greater risk for injury than those with <2 factors (95% confidence interval  =  1.27, 4.22), and adding a high level of exposure to game conditions increased the injury risk to 3 times greater (95% confidence interval  =  1.95, 4.98). Prediction models that used the 75th and 50th percentile cutpoints yielded results that were very similar to those for the model that used receiver operating characteristic-derived cutpoints. Conclusions: Low back dysfunction and suboptimal endurance of the core musculature appear to be important modifiable football injury risk factors that can be identified on preparticipation screening. These predictors need to be assessed in a prospective manner with a larger sample of collegiate football players.

Neurologist, 13 years’ experience, Australia

2020 ◽  
pp. 204-206
Author(s):  
Markus Reuber ◽  
Gregg H. Rawlings ◽  
Steven C. Schachter
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Eeg Monitoring ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
History Of ◽  
Convulsive Seizures ◽  
One Year ◽  
Video Eeg

This chapter discusses the experience of a Neurologist with a patient who presented with a history of three bilateral convulsive seizures over a period of several months. The Neurologist started him on an adjunct antiepileptic therapy and he became seizure free. However, the situation changed dramatically after a stable period of twelve months. He started having seizures again and his mother was able to recognize that these seizures were different from those he had had one year earlier. Prolonged video-EEG monitoring confirmed the diagnosis of Non-Epileptic Seizures (NES). The Neurologist then referred the patient to a Clinical Psychologist, who used Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and taught him some techniques to cope with the condition. Eventually, the patient and his family were able to manage the NES better with the help of the psychologist. The patient reported a significant improvement clinically with less frequent NES and they learned how to manage the situation without visiting the Emergency Department.

Risk Factors for Serious Underlying Pathology in Adult Emergency Department Nontraumatic Low Back Pain Patients

2014 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Venkatesh Thiruganasambandamoorthy ◽  
Ekaterina Turko ◽  
Dominique Ansell ◽  
Aparna Vaidyanathan ◽  
George A. Wells ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Low Back Pain ◽  
Back Pain ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Pain Patients ◽  
Underlying Pathology

Risk factors of vitamin K antagonist overcoagulation

2008 ◽  
Vol 100 (10) ◽  
pp. 685-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwenaëlle Cadiou ◽  
Rémi Varin ◽  
Hervé Levesque ◽  
Vanessa Grassi ◽  
Jacques Benichou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Medical History ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonist ◽  
High Morbidity ◽  
Duration Of Hospitalization ◽  
History Of ◽  
Previous Medical History

SummaryThe aims of this case-control study were to identify in vitamin K antagonist (VKA)-treated unselected patients, factors associated with international normalised ratio (INR) values: (i) greater than 6.0.;and (ii) ranging from 4.0 to 6.0 complicated with bleeding. We also assessed VKA-related morbidity in these patients. During a two-month period, 4,188 consecutive and unselected patients were referred to our Emergency Department. At admission, the medical records of each patient and two age- and sex-matched controls were reviewed for: both duration and indication of VKA therapy, previous medical history of VKA-related haemorrhage, underlying co-morbidities, concomitant medications other than VKA, duration of hospitalization and deaths’ causes. Of these 4,188 subjects,50 case-patients (1.19%) were identified; both case-patients and controls did not differ as regards indications and patterns of VKA therapy. Interestingly, two-thirds of case-patients were women, suggesting that female gender may be a risk factor of VKA over-coagulation onset. We identified the following risk factors of VKA over-coagulation: previous medical history of INR levels over therapeutic range, therapy with antibiotics, amiodarone and proton pump inhibitors, as well as fever. A total of 88% of case-patients were hospitalized; mean duration of patients’ hospitalization was seven days [range:1–56 days];no patient died from major bleeding. Our study underscores that it is of utmost importance to consider the strength of indication before starting VKA therapy, as this therapy has been responsible for as high as 1.19% of admissions in unselected subjects referred to an Emergency Department. Our data therefore suggest that internists should be aware of VKA-related high morbidity, particularly in situations at risk of VKA over-coagulation.

Predictors of ICU admission and long-term outcomes in overdose presentations to Emergency Department

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-79
Author(s):  
Mark Savage ◽  
Ross Kung ◽  
Cameron Green ◽  
Brandon Thia ◽  
Dinushka Perera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Psychiatric Illness ◽  
Atypical Antipsychotics ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Icu Admission ◽  
History Of

Objective: To describe the characteristics of patients presenting to an Emergency Department (ED) following overdoses; to identify risk factors for intensive care unit (ICU) admission among these patients; and to identify the rate of mortality and repeat overdose presentations over four years. Methods: Adult patients presenting to ED following drug overdose during 2014 were included. Data were collected from medical notes and hospital databases. Results: During the study period, 654 patients presented to ED 800 times following overdose. Seventy-eight (9.8%) resulted in ICU admission, and 59 (7.4%) required intubation; 57.2% had no history of overdose presentations, and 72.9% involved patients with known psychiatric illness. Overdose of atypical antipsychotics (AAP), age and history of prior overdose independently predicted ICU admission. A third of patients ( n = 196, 30%) had subsequent presentations to ED following overdose, in the four years from their index presentation, with an all-cause four-year mortality of 3.4% ( n = 22). Conclusion: A history of overdose, use of AAP and older age were risk factors for ICU admission following ED presentations. Over a third of patients had repeat overdose presentation in the four-year follow-up with a mortality of 3.4%.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document