ABSTRACT
Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Tiao Shen Jie Jing needling (regulating the mind and release spasm) in treating post-stroke upper-limb spastic palsy. Method Ninety patients with post-stroke upper-limb spastic palsy were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 45 cases each. The observation group was intervened by Tiao Shen Jie Jing needling, while the control group was given ordinary acupuncture. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), short-form Fugl-Meyer Assessment (SFMA) and Barthel Index (BI) were evaluated and recorded prior to the treatment, after 2-week and 4-week treatment and 3 months later after the intervention; the serumγ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was detected before and after the treatment. Result The total effective rate was 83.3% in the observation group versus 61.0% in the control group, and the efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). The scores of each scale showed improvements after the treatment in both groups (P<0.05), and the improvements in the observation group were more significant (P < 0.05). The follow-up showed continuing improvements in the scales in the observation group, which were superior to those in the control group (P<0.05); after the treatment, the content of GABA in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Tiao Shen Jie Jing needling can effectively ameliorate the upper-limb spasm,as well as the motor function of the upper extremities, improve the activities of daily living and maintain a long-term efficacy, better than ordinary acupuncture. The action mechanism is related to the regulation of GABA content in serum.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the sensitivity and usefulness of 99mTc-sestamibi scintigraphy (SS) and neck ultrasonography (US) as preoperative localization procedures in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>160 patients with proved pHPT in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from June 1983 to June 2002 were studied. There were 107 women(66.9%) and 53 men (33.1%), with a mean age of 38.9 years (10-73 years). 100 patients were underwent SS and 148 patients were underwent US prior to surgery, and the results were compared with operative and histological findings.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sensitivity of SS and US in localization of the enlarged parathyroid glands was 94.0% and 85.1% respectively, and the positive predictive value of SS and US was 100% and 89.1% respectively, the overall sensitivity was 98.9% by combination of SS and US. In solitary parathyroid adenomas group (n = 145), the sensitivity of SS and US was 93.3% and 84.7% respectively; There was no significant difference (P = 0.428) in sensitivity of SS between the parathyroid glands correctly identified and undetected in classical neck location as compared with ectopic parathyroid glands, whereas significantly (P = 0.026) influenced by the US sensitivity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Different sensitivity exit between SS and VS in preoperative localization in patients with pHPT undergoing parathyroidectomy. The combined use of SS and US could increase the sensitivity of localization technique. Ectopic parathyroid had no influence on the sensitivity of 99mTc-MIBI scanning, but decreased the sensitivity of ultrasonography. The size of parathyroid tumors had effects on the sensitivity of ultrasonography. Otherwise, various conditions causing SS false negative were observed. Some interfere factors should be excluded when SS negative results were encountered in clinical practice.</p>