A 540° posterior-anterior-posterior approach for 360° fused rigid severe cervical kyphosis: patient series

BACKGROUND Treatment of severe rigid 360° fused cervical kyphosis (CK) is challenging and often requires a combined approach for ankylosis release, establishment of sagittal balance, and fixation with fusion. OBSERVATIONS Four patients with iatrogenic 360° fused severe rigid CK (Cobb angle ≥40°) were enrolled for this retrospective analysis. All patients in the case series were female, with an average age of 27 years. All patients previously underwent posterior laminectomy/laminoplasty and cervical tumor resection when they were children (13–17 years). They underwent correction surgery with a 540° posterior-anterior-posterior approach. Preoperative and final follow-up radiography and computed tomography (CT) were used to evaluate kyphosis correction, internal fixation implants, and bone fusion. The preoperative and final follow-up average C2–7 Cobb angles were −32.4° ± 12.0° and 5.3° ± 7.1°, respectively. Preoperative and final follow-up CK angles averaged −47.2° ± 7.4° and −0.9° ± 16.1°, respectively. The mean correction angle was 46.3° ± 9.6°. At final follow-up, CT showed stable fixation and solid bone fusion. LESSONS The rare iatrogenic severe kyphosis with 360° ankylosis requires a combined approach. The 540° posterior-anterior-posterior approach can completely release the bony fusion, and the CK can be corrected using an anterior plate. This technique can achieve good results and is an effective strategy.

Facilitation of Motor Evoked Potentials in Response to a Modified 30 Hz Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation Protocol in Healthy Adults

Theta-burst stimulation (TBS) is a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) developed to induce neuroplasticity. TBS usually consists of 50 Hz bursts at 5 Hz intervals. It can facilitate motor evoked potentials (MEPs) when applied intermittently, although this effect can vary between individuals. Here, we sought to determine whether a modified version of intermittent TBS (iTBS) consisting of 30 Hz bursts repeated at 6 Hz intervals would lead to lasting MEP facilitation. We also investigated whether recruitment of early and late indirect waves (I-waves) would predict individual responses to 30 Hz iTBS. Participants (n = 19) underwent single-pulse TMS to assess MEP amplitude at baseline and variations in MEP latency in response to anterior-posterior, posterior-anterior, and latero-medial stimulation. Then, 30 Hz iTBS was administered, and MEP amplitude was reassessed at 5-, 20- and 45-min. Post iTBS, most participants (13/19) exhibited MEP facilitation, with significant effects detected at 20- and 45-min. Contrary to previous evidence, recruitment of early I-waves predicted facilitation to 30 Hz iTBS. These observations suggest that 30 Hz/6 Hz iTBS is effective in inducing lasting facilitation in corticospinal excitability and may offer an alternative to the standard 50 Hz/5 Hz protocol.

Interpretation of Thoracic Radiography Shows Large Discrepancies Depending on the Qualification of the Physician—Quantitative Evaluation of Interobserver Agreement in a Representative Emergency Department Scenario

(1) Background: Chest radiography (CXR) is still a key diagnostic component in the emergency department (ED). Correct interpretation is essential since some pathologies require urgent treatment. This study quantifies potential discrepancies in CXR analysis between radiologists and non-radiology physicians in training with ED experience. (2) Methods: Nine differently qualified physicians (three board-certified radiologists [BCR], three radiology residents [RR], and three non-radiology residents involved in ED [NRR]) evaluated a series of 563 posterior-anterior CXR images by quantifying suspicion for four relevant pathologies: pleural effusion, pneumothorax, pneumonia, and pulmonary nodules. Reading results were noted separately for each hemithorax on a Likert scale (0–4; 0: no suspicion of pathology, 4: safe existence of pathology) adding up to a total of 40,536 reported pathology suspicions. Interrater reliability/correlation and Kruskal–Wallis tests were performed for statistical analysis. (3) Results: While interrater reliability was good among radiologists, major discrepancies between radiologists’ and non-radiologists’ reading results could be observed in all pathologies. Highest overall interrater agreement was found for pneumothorax detection and lowest agreement in raising suspicion for malignancy suspicious nodules. Pleural effusion and pneumonia were often suspected with indifferent choices (1–3). In terms of pneumothorax detection, all readers mainly decided for a clear option (0 or 4). Interrater reliability was usually higher when evaluating the right hemithorax (all pathologies except pneumothorax). (4) Conclusions: Quantified CXR interrater reliability analysis displays a general uncertainty and strongly depends on medical training. NRR can benefit from radiology reporting in terms of time efficiency and diagnostic accuracy. CXR evaluation of long-time trained ED specialists has not been tested.

Correlations between oropharyngeal and laryngeal anatomy and the frequency of singing voice: A population-based study, in Greece

The aim of this study is to explore if there is correlation between the typical voice classification and oropharyngeal anatomy, using cervical posterior-anterior radiography on professional singers in Epirus, Greece. Methods: 70 professional singers, 35 men and 35 women, were recruited for this study. All participants underwent a cervical posterior-anterior radiographic imaging of their oral pharyngeal and laryngeal area. Results: A statistically significant difference of mean distance was observed for the CI-MHP area (p=0,004), the MHP- SCV area (F=2,62, p=0,032), as well as SCV-AI area (F=11,82, p=0,000). For the average length measured in mm of the phonetic area PA, statistically significant differences were computed among all the singers in the group (F [5] = 5.368, p = 0.001), as well as the OPC area (F = 6,48, p = 0,000). Conclusions: The cervical posteroanterior radiography provided new correlations of the voice category of professional singers with their Oropharyngeal and Laryngeal Anatomy.

Evaluation of the Relationship Between Subcarinal Angle Values and Mortality in COPD Patients

Abstract Background: We aimed to investigate whether changes occur in the subcarinal angle (SCA) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and examine the effects of such changes on mortality rates. Materials and Methods: The study included 108 COPD patients; who were followed up in the intensive care unit (ICU) in the period between January 2018 and December 2018 and who had available posterior-anterior chest X-rays (PA-CXRs), APACHE-II (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation-II) scores, and laboratory values in the electronic archiving system. SCA values on PA-CXRs were recorded in the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). Patients were divided into two groups as survivors and nonsurvivors. Results: In our study; congestive heart failure, as one of the comorbid diseases with COPD, was found to be associated with mortality (p: 0.011). Furthermore; APACHE-II scores (p: 0.001), SCA values (p: 0.025), elevated CRP levels (p: 0.01), hypoalbuminemia (p: 0.018), and high creatinine values (p: 0.034) were associated with mortality. Conclusions: Our results are compatible with those of previous studies in the literature demonstrating that advanced age, elevated CRP levels, APACHE-II scores, hypoalbuminemia, and high creatinine values were all associated with mortality in COPD patients. Furthermore, SCA was found to be narrower in nonsurvivors in our study. We think that our study results will contribute to the literature because this is the first study that demonstrated the association between SCA and mortality in COPD patients.

Immediate Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing with Cervical Spine Mobilization on the Pulmonary Function and Craniovertebral Angle in Patients with Chronic Stroke

Background and Objectives: Patients with stroke have a forward neck posture due to neurological damage and often have impaired pulmonary function. This study investigated the effect of diaphragmatic breathing with cervical mobilization to improve pulmonary function cervical alignments. Materials and Methods: This study used a one-group pre-test–post-test design including 20 patients with stroke. Two types of cervical joint mobilization techniques, consisting of left and right lateral glide mobilization and posterior–anterior mobilization, were utilized. During joint mobilization, the patients performed diaphragmatic breathing. The measurements were performed immediately after the intervention. Pulmonary function was evaluated using a spirometer to measure the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and peak expiratory flow (PEF). The craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured using lateral photographs. Results: After diaphragm breathing with cervical joint mobilization, subjects had significantly increased FEV1, FVC, PEF and CVA. Conclusion: Diaphragm breathing with cervical joint mobilization are possible interventions to increase pulmonary function and improve the craniovertebral angle in patients with stroke. However, a complete conclusion can be reached only after a follow-up study has been conducted with a comparison of more subjects and controls.

Effects of theta transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) on exploration and exploitation during uncertain decision-making

Exploring ones surroundings may yield unexpected rewards, but is associated with uncertainty and risk. Alternatively, exploitation of certain outcomes is related to low risk, yet potentially better outcomes remain unexamined. As such, risk-taking behavior depends on perceived uncertainty and a trade-off between exploration-exploitation. Previously, it has been suggested that risk-taking may relate to theta activity in the prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, previous studies hinted at a relationship between a right-hemispheric bias in frontal theta asymmetry and risky behavior. In the present double-blind sham-controlled within-subject study, we applied bifrontal transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at the theta frequency (5 Hz) on eighteen healthy volunteers during a gambling task. Two tACS montages with either left-right or posterior-anterior current flow were employed at an intensity of 1 mA. Results showed that, compared to sham, theta tACS increased perceived uncertainty irrespective of current flow direction. Despite this observation, no direct effect of tACS on exploration behavior and general risk-taking was observed. Furthermore, frontal theta asymmetry was more right-hemispherically biased after posterior-anterior tACS, compared to sham. Finally, we used electric field simulation to identify which regions were targeted by the tACS montages as an overlap in regions may explain why the two montages resulted in comparable outcomes. Our findings provide a first step towards understanding the relationship between frontal theta oscillations and different features of risk-taking.