Dual Aneurysm Formation in an Occupationally Predisposed Male: Atypical Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome

Hypothenar hammer syndrome is typically described as a chronic repetitive injury to the ulnar artery at the level of hamulus of hamate and shows certain occupational predilection. Our case is an occupationally predisposed patient who had two aneurysm formations from the superficial palmar branch of ulnar artery and the digital branch, respectively, diagnosed and treated surgically. We call it an atypical hypothenar hammer syndrome as the arterial involvement was not typically at the level of hamate bone and only corresponded to the site of recurrent friction. This article also discusses the role of imaging and treatment options.

Modeling links softening of myelin and spectrin scaffolds of axons after a concussion to increased vulnerability to repeated injuries

Damage to the microtubule lattice, which serves as a rigid cytoskeletal backbone for the axon, is a hallmark mechanical initiator of pathophysiology after concussion. Understanding the mechanical stress transfer from the brain tissue to the axonal cytoskeleton is essential to determine the microtubule lattice’s vulnerability to mechanical injury. Here, we develop an ultrastructural model of the axon’s cytoskeletal architecture to identify the components involved in the dynamic load transfer during injury. Corroborative in vivo studies were performed using a gyrencephalic swine model of concussion via single and repetitive head rotational acceleration. Computational analysis of the load transfer mechanism demonstrates that the myelin sheath and the actin/spectrin cortex play a significant role in effectively shielding the microtubules from tissue stress. We derive failure maps in the space spanned by tissue stress and stress rate to identify physiological conditions in which the microtubule lattice can rupture. We establish that a softer axonal cortex leads to a higher susceptibility of the microtubules to failure. Immunohistochemical examination of tissue from the swine model of single and repetitive concussion confirms the presence of postinjury spectrin degradation, with more extensive pathology observed following repetitive injury. Because the degradation of myelin and spectrin occurs over weeks following the first injury, we show that softening of the myelin layer and axonal cortex exposes the microtubules to higher stress during repeated incidences of traumatic brain injuries. Our predictions explain how mechanical injury predisposes axons to exacerbated responses to repeated injuries, as observed in vitro and in vivo.

Injuries and Illness in Elite Equestrian Athletes: A Two-Season Prospective Study

Problem/Intro: Epidemiological data of injuries and illnesses in equestrian athletes are limited. The objective of this study was to describe the incidence, prevalence, and severity of health Problems among a cohort of elite riders. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study with 38 elite equestrian athletes over a two-year follow-up period. Health Problems were recorded weekly with the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Questionnaire on health problems and subsequently categorized into illnesses and injuries according to the recently published International Olympic Committee guidelines. Based on the athlete’s weekly responses, we calculated health Problem prevalence, incidence and severity. Results: A total of 93 health problems were reported including 30 illnesses and 63 injuries resulting in a weekly prevalence of 12.1% (95% CI: 10.5-13.7) for all health problems. For acute injuries, the chest, lumbosacral region, and neck were the most commonly reported body locations. The lumbosacral Region was the most commonly reported repetitive injury mechanism body region. Illnesses most often affected the upper respiratory and gastrointestinal body systems. Conclusion: There was a low prevalence of injuries among this cohort of elite athletes. Future efforts that further improve athlete safety should focus on repetitive mechanism injuries and implementation and scale-up of preventive equipment to the broader equestrian population.

Cellular metabolomics of pulmonary fibrosis, from amino acids to lipids.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive lung disease of unknown etiology with limited treatment options. It is characterized by repetitive injury to alveolar epithelial cells and aberrant activation of numerous signaling pathways. Recent evidence suggests that metabolic reprogramming, metabolic dysregulation, and mitochondria dysfunction are distinctive features of the IPF lungs. Through numerous mechanisms, metabolomic abnormalities in alveolar epithelial cells, myofibroblast, macrophages, and fibroblasts contribute to the abnormal collagen synthesis and dysregulated airway remodeling described in lung fibrosis. This review summarizes the metabolomic changes in amino acids, lipids, glucose, and heme seen in IPF lungs. Simultaneously, we provide new insights into potential therapeutic strategies by targeting a variety of metabolites.

Corneal Endothelial Decompensation

Endothelial decompensation can occur from a variety of insults to the endothelium that result in loss of stromal clarity. Direct insults to the endothelium commonly occur in inherited, inflammatory, traumatic, immunological, and infectious etiologies. These injuries may cause transient injury without decompensation, but repetitive injury or severe isolated injury can lead to permanent non-compensatory endothelial cell loss. Elevated intraocular pressure can induce stromal hydration, either primarily or secondarily. With partial and full thickness corneal transplants, chronic endothelial dysfunction can be treated surgically when medical therapy proves inadequate. Practitioners should be aware of the underlying causes for corneal endothelial injury.

KINESIOLOGY TAPING AND NEURAL GLIDING EXERCISE IN CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Introduction: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition of neuropathy caused by median nerve entrapment, which is related to repetitive injury mostly due to workload. Some people have occupation that require a lot of repetitive wrist movement such as cigarette factory workers. Kinesiology taping and neural gliding exercises are conservative interventions, which can be performed on people with CTS. Case: This case report showed that there was improvement symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome treated with kinesiology taping and neural gliding exercise. The patient was female, 43 years old, a cigarette factory worker. She had complains of tingling sensation on her palms, moreover on finger 1, 2 and 3 since 2 weeks before. The physical examination revealed positive test of carpal tunnel syndrome such as Phalen, Pressure Provocation and Tinel test. Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) was also performed. The diagnose was confirmed with nerve conduction studies result. Kinesiology taping was applied on this patient and reapplied weekly until 4 weeks. Patient was also taught about neural gliding exercise and was asked to do it every day for 4 weeks. BCTQ was evaluated weekly and improved every week. While nerve conduction studies was evaluated in 4 weeks and there was also improvement in the result. Conclusion: The improved outcome occurring in this case shows that kinesiology taping and neural gliding exercise can be considered as management of carpal tunnel syndrome, but of course further research is needed to prove its significance.

Prevalence of Concussion in Quidditch

ObjectiveThe aim of our study is to assess the rate of concussion occurring while engaging in nontraditional sports such as Quidditch, and the effects that injury during a novelty sport may have on concussion detection when compared to more traditional sports.BackgroundConcussions, once dismissed as nonconsequential, are rapidly attracting notice for acute and long-term health effects. Rates of recovery with repeated trauma is known to decrease with each occurrence. In novelty sports, regulation of concussions and proper return-to-play(RTP) protocol are not routinely enforced, resulting in repetitive injury to the detriment of players.Design/MethodsIRB approval was obtained prior to survey distribution to all players associated with Major League Quidditch (MLQ). Responses were recorded and analyzed.Results157 responses were received. 63% were male and 37% female with mean age 22.9. 146 (93%) respondents confirmed or denied quidditch-related head injury. 22 (15%) denied head injury and 124 (85%) indicated hitting their heads while participating in the sport. 19% of respondents indicated >10 head injuries. 67 (54%) reported suspected concussion with an additional 41 (33%) reporting formal diagnosis with at least one concussion. EMS reported 18 injuries at MLQ matches. 5 (27.8%) were preliminarily diagnosed with concussion. 3 had no further treatment, 1 RTP and 1 received basic care. 0 recieved formal neurologic evaluation. Players were also asked about head injuries sustained in non-quidditch activities for comparison. 43 (27%) reported having medically diagnosed concussions outside of quidditch. 53 (34%) reported at least one suspected concussion without formal diagnosis. 24 (15%) answered maybe.ConclusionsOur data supports that concussion is a significant burden in novelty sports such as quidditch. It is vital to recognize that with the rise of nontraditional sports, the prevalence of concussions in younger nontraditional athletes may be underreported and that concussion specialists must be cognizant of both traditional and novelty sports when evaluating long term effects of head trauma.

Late Soft Tissue Complications of Head and Neck Cancer Therapy: Lymphedema and Fibrosis

Head and neck cancer and its treatment result in soft tissue damage secondary to lymphedema and fibrosis. Lymphedema is the result of pathological accumulation of interstitial fluid in tissues. It is caused by the inability of the lymphatic system to transport lymph fluid from the tissues to the central circulatory system and is manifested clinically by tissue swelling. Fibrosis is defined as an overaccumulation of fibrotic tissues within the skin and soft tissues after a single or repetitive injury and is characterized by hardening of the soft tissues with associated loss of elasticity. Lymphedema and fibrosis are common yet overlooked late effects of head and neck cancer and its therapy. They may result in profound long-term symptom burden, loss of critical functions, and altered quality of life. The following review will discuss the current pathobiology, clinical manifestations, and future directions for research related to lymphedema and fibrosis.