The efficacy and safety of electrostimulation of the posterior tibial nerve and antimuscarinic drugs in the treatment of overactive bladder: a meta-analysis and systemic review / 中华泌尿外科杂志

Objective:To systematically review the efficacy and safety of electrostimulation of the posterior tibial nerve and antimuscarinic drugs in the treatment of overactive bladder.Methods:The literature search was conducted using the PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EMbase, Medline, CNKI, CQVIP, Wanfang databases.The retrieval period was from the establishment of the database to February 2021. Literature was screened and evaluated independently by two investigators to compare the safety and efficacy of electrostimulation of the posterior tibial nerve and antimuscarinic drugs in the treatment of overactive bladder. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software.Results:A total of 11 clinical trials, including 10 randomized controlled trials and 1 cross-over study were included, involving 605 patients, including 309 in the experimental group (nerve stimulation group) and 296 in the control group(antimuscarinic drugs group). The results of meta-analysis showed as follow. For patients with non-neurogenetic overactive bladder, there was no statistically significant differences between electrostimulation of the posterior tibial nerve therapy and antimuscarinic drugs in the improvement of 24h urination frequency( MD=-0.06, 95% CI -1.67-1.54, P>0.05), 24h urge incontinence frequency( MD=0.04, 95% CI -0.46-0.54, P>0.05), symptoms scores of OAB-q questionnaire( MD=0.37, 95% CI -0.02-0.76, P>0.05)and quality of life scores( SMD=0.32, 95% CI-0.06-0.69, P>0.05). However, compared with antimuscarinic drugs, posterior tibial nerve stimulation had better efficacy satisfaction rate ( OR=1.97, 95% CI 1.16-3.36, P<0.05) and lower side effect rate ( OR=0.24, 95% CI 0.12-0.48, P<0.0001). And the results have significant statistical differences. Conclusions:Electrostimulation of the posterior tibial nerve was almost as effective as antimuscarinic drugs in improving symptoms and quality of life in patients with non-neurogenic OAB. However, compared with antimuscarinic drugs, electrostimulation of the posterior tibial nerve had a higher efficacy satisfaction rate and a lower incidence of side effects. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify above conclusions.

Estimulación del nervio tibial posterior en el tratamiento de la retención urinaria posparto. Reporte de dos casos / Posterior tibial nerve stimulation in the management of postpartum urinary retention. Report of two cases

Resumen OBJETIVO: Reportar dos casos de pacientes con el efecto de la estimulación del nervio tibial posterior en la retención urinaria posparto. CASOS CLÍNICOS: Caso 1: Paciente de 41 años, con dos cesáreas previas, sobrepeso (IMC 28 kg/m2), con 33 semanas de embarazo, hipertensión arterial crónica y preeclampsia sobreagregada asociada con datos de déficit neurológico. En el puerperio tardío tuvo dificultad para miccionar y dolor suprapúbico. Con base en la urodinamia se diagnosticó: disinergia detrusor-esfínter y se trató con estimulación del nervio tibial posterior durante 20 minutos cada semana con duración de fase de 200 µs y frecuencias de 10 Hz durante 12 sesiones. Los parámetros urodinámicos mejoraron y se restablecieron las micciones espontáneas, se redujo la frecuencia del cateterismo limpio intermitente y el efecto continuó a 31 meses de seguimiento. Caso 2: Paciente de 38 años, primigesta, IMC 21 kg/m2 , con antecedente de hipotiroidismo subclínico. A los cinco días de puerperio tuvo retención urinaria de 2000 mL; se le colocó una sonda Foley a drenaje contínuo y, posteriormente, un tapón con vaciado cada 2 horas. No obstante lo anterior tuvo nuevos episodios de retención urinaria que ameritaron el inicio del cateterismo limpio intermitente, 5 en 24 horas y estimulación del nervio tibial posterior con corriente bifásica asimétrica. Se consiguió una mejoría subjetiva del 100% y cambios urodinámicos. Las micciones espontáneas se reiniciaron sin requerir cateterismo limpio intermitente, fue dada de alta luego de un año de seguimiento. CONCLUSIÓN: De acuerdo con los desenlaces del estudio, la estimulación del nervio tibial posterior podría ofrecer una alternativa de tratamiento prometedora en pacientes con retención urinaria posparto.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Case report of the effect of posterior tibial nerve stimulation on postpartum urinary retention. CASE REPORT: Case 1: 41-year-old patient, with two previous cesarean sections, overweight (BMI 28 kg/m2), 33 weeks of pregnancy, chronic arterial hypertension and over-aggregated preeclampsia associated with data of neurological deficit. In the late puerperium she had difficulty urinating and suprapubic pain. Based on urodynamics, detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia was diagnosed and she was treated with posterior tibial nerve stimulation for 20 minutes every week with phase duration 200 µs and frequency 10 Hz during 12 sessions. Urodynamic parameters improved and spontaneous micturition was restored, the frequency of intermittent clean catheterization was reduced, and the effect continued at 31 months follow-up. Case 2: 38-year-old primigravida patient, BMI 21 kg/m2, with a history of subclinical hypothyroidism. Five days postpartum she had urinary retention of 2000 mL; a Foley catheter was placed for continuous drainage and, subsequently, a plug with emptying every 2 hours. Notwithstanding the above, she had new episodes of urinary retention that warranted the initiation of intermittent clean catheterization, 5 in 24 hours and stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve with asymmetric biphasic current, she had a subjective improvement of 100% and urodynamic changes. Spontaneous urination resumed without requiring intermittent clean catheterization, she was discharged after one year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: According to the study outcomes, posterior tibial nerve stimulation could offer a promising treatment alternative in patients with postpartum urinary retention.

Análise da eletroestimulação transcutânea e percutânea do nervo tibial para tratamento da bexiga hiperativa em Parkinsonianos: revisão sistemática / Analysis of transcutaneous and percutaneous tibial nerve electrostimulation for treatment of overactive bladder in Parkinsonians: systematic review

Parkinson é uma doença de sintomas motores e não motores, podendo incluir neste último, a bexiga neurogênica, que se caracteriza por sintomas de urgência, com ou sem urge-incontinência, normalmente acompanhada de polaciúria e noctúria. Objetivo: Analisar a eletroestimulação transcutânea e a percutânea do nervo tibial para tratamento da bexiga hiperativa em Parkinsonianos. Metodologia: Foram incluí­dos todos os artigos que mencionaram o tratamento da bexiga hiperativa, com eletroestimulação transcutânea e percutânea do tibial posterior, em pacientes com Parkinson. Realizou-se a busca de março a novembro de 2017, nas bases de dados US National Library of Medicine (MEDLINE), Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS) e Google acadêmico, sem limites de data. Foram utilizados como descritores contidos nos Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DeCS) as palavras-tí­tulo: bexiga hiperativa, Parkinson e eletroestimulação transcutânea e percutânea do tibial posterior. Foram utilizados como descritores contidos no Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) as palavras-tí­tulo: overactivity bladder, Parkinson"™s disease, electrical stimulation transcutaneous, percutaneous electrical stimulation. Resultados: Dos 8 artigos recuperados, 1 estava duplicado e 2 foram excluí­dos por não estarem disponí­veis, restando cinco artigos: 2 ECRs, 2 experimentais e 1 estudo piloto. Conclusão: a terapia de eletroestimulação tibial, tanto transcutânea, quanto percutânea, se mostra benéfica para tratamento da bexiga hiperativa, em pacientes com Parkinson, porém, se faz necessário a realização de novos estudos, principalmente os de intervenção, para padronização do método. (AU)

Parkinson's disease is a disease of motor and non-motor symptoms, and may include neurogenic bladder, which is characterized by urgency symptoms, with or without urge incontinence. Objective: To analyze the transcutaneous and percutaneous electrostimulation of the tibial nerve for treatment of overactive bladder in Parkinsonians. Methodology: All articles mentioning the treatment of overactive bladder, with transcutaneous and percutaneous electrostimulation of the posterior tibial, were included in patients with Parkinson's disease. The search was carried out from March to November 2017, in the databases National Library of Medicine (Medline), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), Virtual Health Library (VHL) and Google academic, without date limits. The descriptors included were: hyperactive bladder, Parkinson's and transcutaneous and percutaneous electrostimulation of the posterior tibial. The descriptors included in the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) were: overactivity bladder, Parkinson's disease, electrical stimulation transcutaneous, percutaneous electrical stimulation. Results: Of the 8 articles retrieved, 1 was duplicated and 2 were excluded because they were not available, leaving five articles: 2 RCTs, 2 experimental and 1 pilot study. Conclusion: Transcutaneous and percutaneous tibial electrostimulation therapy is beneficial for the treatment of overactive bladder in patients with Parkinson disease. However, it is necessary to carry out new studies, especially interventional ones, to standardize the method. (AU)

A Comparison of Interside Asymmetries of Lower Extremity Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Anesthetized Patients with Unilateral Lumbosacral Radiculopathy

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PURPOSE: This study was to investigate interside asymmetries of three lower extremity somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) in anesthetized patients with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Although interside asymmetry is an established criterion of abnormal SSEP, little is known which of the lower SSEPs is more sensitive in detecting interside asymmetry in anesthetized patients. METHODS: Superficial peroneal nerve SSEP (SPN-SSEP), posterior tibial nerve SSEP (PTN-SSEP), and sural nerve SSEP were obtained in 31 lumbosacral surgery patients with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy, and compared with a group of 22 control subjects. RESULTS: The lumbosacral group showed significant larger interside asymmetry ratios of P37 latencies in SPN-SSEP and PTN-SSEP, and significant larger interside asymmetry ratio of P37-N45 amplitude in SPN-SSEP, when comparing with the control group. Within the lumbosacral group but not the control group, SPN-SSEP displayed significant larger interside asymmetry ratio in P37 latency. When referencing to the control group, more patients in the lumbosacral group displayed abnormal interside SPN-SSEP latency asymmetries which corroborated the symptom laterality. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggested that SPN-SSEP was more sensitive in detecting interside latency asymmetry in anesthetized patients.

Recurred Segmental Schwannomatosis Without Neurofibromatosis Type 2

Schwannomas are the most common type of benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors. They typically present as a solitary lesion, but multiple schwannomas rarely occur in patients with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), or patients without the other hallmarks of NF2. The latter is termed schwannomatosis. They most commonly occur in the head and neck involving the brachial plexus and spinal nerves. Although rarely found in the extremities, when these masses occur peripherally, they most commonly affect the sciatic, ulnar, and tibial nerve. It is reported that 2.4% to 5% of all patients undergoing schwannoma excision present as schwannomatosis. One-third of patients with schwannomatosis show tumors limited to a single extremity or segment of the spine and it is referred to as segmental schwannomatosis. We report a case of recurred segmental schwannomatosis of the posterior tibial nerve without features of NF2 after schwannoma excision.

Efectividad de la electroestimulación del nervio tibial posterior para el tratamiento de la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo / Effectiveness of the electro-stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence

La incontinencia urinaria es cualquier pérdida involuntaria de orina. El tratamiento actual consiste en ejercicios de fortalecimiento pélvico y cirugía en los casos severos. Dado que el nervio tibial posterior y músculos del piso pélvico presentan inervación común originada en las raíces sacras se plantea que la estimulación eléctrica de dicho nervio es un método terapéutico de la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo. Se realizó un estudio cuasi-experimental, longitudinal, analítico de tipo prospectivo en 22 mujeres entre 20 y 60 años durante el periodo de Junio a Diciembre del año 2014, las cuales cumplieron 6 semanas de terapia y se dividieron en dos grupos: el grupo A que realizó ejercicios de Kegel y Grupo B que realizaron electroestimulación del tibial posterior y ejercicios de Kegel. Las pacientes respondieron el cuestionario de incontinencia urinaria ICIQ-SF al inicio de la terapia y a la finalización. Existió una mejoría global del 26% posterior a la terapia con ejercicios de Kegel y 69% en el grupo que realizó la electroestimulación del tibial posterior al finalizar las 6 semanas de tratamiento.

Urinary incontinence consists in any involuntary loss of urine. -The current treatment consists in pelvic strengthening exercises and surgery in severe cases. Since the tibial posterior nerve and the pelvic floor muscles present common innervation originated in the sacral roots a hypothesis arises: Electrical stimulation of the nerve is a therapeutic method of urinary incontinence. A quasi-experimental, longitudinal, prospective analytical study was performed on 22 women between 20 and 60 years during the period from June to December 2014, which met six weeks of therapy and were divided into two groups: group A who performed Kegel exercises and group B who made electrostimulation of the posterior tibial nerve and Kegel exercises. The patients answered the questionnaire urinary incontinence ICIQ-SF at the start of therapy and termination. There was an overall improvement of 26% after therapy with Kegel exercises and 69% in the group that performed electrostimulation of the posterior tibial nerve at the end of 6 weeks of treatment.

Update on Management of Compressive Neuropathy: Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome / 대한정형외과학회잡지

The tarsal tunnel is located beneath the flexor retinaculum, which connects the medial malleolus and calacaneus. The tarsal tunnel contains the posterior tibialis tendon, flexor digitorum longus tendon, posterior tibial artery and vein, posterior tibial nerve, and flexor halluces longus tendon. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a compressive neuropathy of posterior tibial nerve and its branches under the flexor retinaculum. The etiologies of tarsal tunnel syndrome are space-occupying lesion, hypertrophied flexor retinaculum, osteophytes, tarsal coalition, varicose vein, and trauma. The symptoms are foot pain and hypoesthesia or paresthesia at dermatome according to involving nerve branches. Clinical diagnosis can be obtained from a detailed history and physical examination such as compressive test at the tarsal tunnel area. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging can reveal the space-occupying lesion, such as ganglion, lipoma, and neuroma. The initial treatments of tarsal tunnel syndrome are conservative management, such as physical therapy, night splint, and steroid injection. Surgical decompression is indicated after failure of conservative managements. Variable results of surgical treatment have been reported. Favorable result after decompression could be obtained from young patients, early onset symptoms, and space-occupying lesion.

Intraneural Ganglion Cyst in Foot and Ankle / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: Pathogenesis of intraneural ganglion is controversial, however, the synovial theory that the intraarticular region is the origination of disease has come into the spotlight nowadays. But there are a few researches about intraneural ganglion in foot and ankle. We studied 7cases of intraneural ganglion. We are going to prove the synovial theory by indentifying articular branch of intraneural ganglion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From August 2003 to May 2011, we evaluated 7 ouf of 8 patients diagnosed as a intraneural ganglion in foot and ankle. The gender ratio were 4 male and 3 female, and the mean age at the time of surgery was 52.9 years. Clinically, we checked pre and post operative symptom, muscle tone and whether loss of muscle tone and sensation exists. We analyzed surgical records and preoperative MRI and compared those with intra-operative finding. RESULTS: In MRI analysis of 7cases, the connection around the joints were confirmed, and 1 case was confirmed in the retrospective analysis of MRI. Intraneural ganglions occurred in medial plantar nerve 3 cases, lateral plantar nerve 1 case, superficial peroneal nerve 1 case and sural nerve 1 case. We could not found recurrence during the follow up periods. Most patients relieved pain after operation, but recovery of sensation was unsatisfactory. We could find some cases pathological finding of the nerve intraoperatively, and clinical result of that cases was poor. CONCLUSION: Intraneural ganglion can occur in various parts in foot and ankle. We concluded that the intranneural ganglion originated from joint by identifying the artichlar branch of ganglion. Due to its small size, it is difficult to find articular branch in operation field. But we do our best to find and remove articular branch. Currently, considering the small amount of research in foot and ankle, more research about articular brach is needed.

Neuromodulación central y periférica en incontinencia fecal: presentación de 2 casos y revisión de la literatura / Central and peripheral neuromodulation for fecal incontinence: report of 2 cases and review of the literature

Fecal incontinence is a condition that creates a huge impact on quality of life, it affects up to 45 percent of patients of the elderly. Treatment is initially conservative with dietary changes, drugs and perineal biofeedback. Surgery is reserved for those who do not respond to medical treatment. The most frequently performed procedure is anal sphincteroplasty, useful in patients with proven lesions of the external anal sphincter. Other alternatives include the implantation of an artificial anal sphincter and dynamic graciloplasty, which are very expensive techniques with high rate of complications. If there is no other alternative, a permanent ostomy can be done. In recent years, less invasive techniques have been developed for the treatment of fecal incontinence. Among these, central neuromodulation or sacral root stimulation (SRS) and peripheral neuromodulation or posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) have shown promising results. The aim of this paper is to present 2 cases of patients with fecal incontinence refractory to conventional treatment (medical and surgical) that are successfully treated with central and peripheral neuromodulation respectively. We present 2 cases and a review of the literature available to date.

La incontinencia fecal (IF) es una patología que genera un enorme impacto en la calidad de vida, afectando hasta el 45 por ciento de los pacientes de la tercera edad. El tratamiento es inicialmente conservador mediante cambios dietéticos, fármacos y rehabilitación perineal. La cirugía se reserva para quienes no responden a tratamiento medico. El procedimiento efectuado con más frecuencia es la esfinteroplastía anal, de utilidad en pacientes con lesión demostrada del esfínter anal externo. En casos de IF grave, otras alternativas son la instalación de un esfínter anal artificial y/o la graciloplastía dinámica, procedimientos de alto costo y con un alto porcentaje de complicaciones. En caso de no existir otra alternativa se puede realizar una ostomía definitiva. Durante los últimos años se han desarrollado técnicas mínimamente invasivas para el tratamiento de la incontinencia fecal. Entre éstas, la neuromodulación central o de las raíces sacras (NMS) y últimamente la neuromodulación periférica o estimulación del nervio tibial posterior (ENTP) han mostrado resultados promisorios. Los objetivos de este trabajo son presentar 2 casos clínicos de pacientes con incontinencia fecal refractaria al tratamiento convencional (medico y quirúrgico) que son tratados exitosamente con neuromodulación central y periférica, respectivamente, y realizar una revisión de la literatura disponible a la fecha.

Prospective Study on the Efficiency of Neurophysiological Index Applicated at Posterior Tibial Nerve/Abductor Pollicis Longus in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Neurophysiological Index (NI) is a sensitive measure of changes during the course of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, NI applied at the ulnar nerve has limitation in that the initial manifestation of ALS is different among individual patients. This study was aimed to evaluate the efficiency of NI applied to the posterior tibial nerve system in a prospective study of progression in ALS patients. METHODS: The subjects of the study were 22 patients with definite or probable ALS based on revised EL Escorial criteria. NI applied to the ulnar nerve/abductor digiti minimi muscle and the posterior tibial nerve/abductor hallucis muslce, revised ALS functional rating scale, Norris scale, and grip power were obtained at four and eight months of the follow-up. RESULTS: Overall, NI at both ulnar and posterior tibial nerve systems showed a significant interval change at 4 and 8 months. Although NI in both nerve systems showed significant changes at an interval of 4 months in patients with upper limb onset, NI obtained from the ulnar nerve did not show a difference from the baseline in the lower limb onset patients. Moreover, there was a significant change of NI in the early stage ALS patients, compared to the late stage patients. CONCLUSIONS: In the lower limb onset patients, NI obtained from the posterior tibial nerve is more useful in evaluating the disease progression pattern. Moreover, NI is more effective in the evaluation of the patients in the early stage.

Availability of Neurophysiological Index in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Application of Neurophysiological Index to Median Nerve /Abductor Digiti Minimi and Posterior Tibial Nerve/Abductor Hallucis

BACKGROUND: Neurophysiological Index (NI) is derived from compound muscle action potentials, distal motor latency and F-wave frequency in the ulnar nerve/abductor digiti minimi. Recent studies suggested that NI could be used as a sensitive measure of change during the course of ALS. However, the NI has several limitations which include being derived only from the ulnar nerve territory and is less valuable when atrophic change of the abductor digiti minimi is severe. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the correlation of NI with the functional status of ALS patients and the availability of NI obtained from median and posterior tibial nerve territory. METHODS: The subjects of the study were 25 patients with ALS. The NI, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) and grip power were obtained during the same period and NI values were compared with ALSFRS-R and grip power. RESULTS: A significant correlation was observed between ALSFRS-R and various NI values. Moreover, NI values derived from the ulnar nerve/abductor digiti minimi and the median nerve/abductor pollicis brevis on the dominant hand were statistically correlated with fine motor function scores in ALSFRS-R, and NI values from posterior tibial nerve/abductor hallucis were significantly correlated with lower limb function scores. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the previous findings that NI is a useful neurophysiological measurement in ALS patients. Moreover, we might suggest NI values from the median nerve/abductor pollicis brevis and the posterior tibial nerve/abductor hallucis also could be used in measuring the functional status of ALS patients.

Distribución topográfica de la respuesta cortical del potencial evocado somatosensorial del nervio tibial posterior / Topographical distribution of the cortical response of the somatosensorial evoked potencial of the posterior tibial nerve

La respuesta cortical del Potencial Evocado Somatosensorial del nervio tibial posterior ha mostrado en diferentes investigaciones una gran variabilidad en cuanto a los resultados obtenidos por diferentes autores. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron evaluar en una muestra de sujetos adultos sanos la distribución topográfica de la respuesta cortical del potencial evocado somatosensorial del nervio tibial posterior empleando un protocolo de registro con 19 derivaciones del Sistema Internacional 10/20 en el equipo MEDICID-4. Se estudiaron 18 sujetos adultos sanos. En todos los sujetos se obtuvo la respuesta cortical P40, manteniéndose los 19 canales de registro, modificándose los filtros a valores entre 0.5 y 300 Hz, y la frecuencia de muestreo se modificó a 1000 Hz. Los resultados muestran una máxima amplitud de la P 40 en línea media. Además, simultáneamente se obtiene dicha respuesta en la propia región centro-parietal ipsilateral, sin existir gran variabilidad intra e interindividuos. De esto se concluye que la estimulación del nervio tibial el pico P40 mostró una distribución cortical centro-parietal tanto en línea media como ipsilateral, con máxima amplitud en esta última, es decir, la P40 se obtuvo paradójicamente con mayor amplitud hacia la misma región del lado estimulado.

The cortical response of the somatosensorial evoked potential of the posterior tibial nerve has shown, in different research works, a great variability in terms of the results obtained by different authors. The aims of this paper were to evaluate in a sample of healthy adult individuals the topographical distribution of the cortical response of the somatosensorial evoked potential of the posterior tibial nerve by using a protocol registration with 19 derivations from the International System 10/20 in the MEDICID-4 team. Eighteen adult individuals were studied. In each individual the cortical response was P40, remaining the 19 registration canals, modifying the filter between 0.5 and 300 Hz, and the sampling frequency was modified to 1000 Hz. Results show a maximum amplitude of the P40 in the middle line. In addition, simultaneously, such response is registered in the central parietal ipsilateral region, with no great intraindividual and interindividual variability. As a conclusion, the stimulation of the tibial nerve and peak P40 showed a cortical central parietal distribution in the middle line, as well as ipsilaterally, with maximum amplitude in the latter. P40 was obtained paradoxically with a greater amplitude towards the same region of the stimulated site.

Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Induced by a Ganglionic mass: A Case Report

PURPOSE: Tarsal tunnel syndrome is characterized by pain and paresthesia of the entire posterior tibial nerve and its branches of the lower extremity. The cause of the tarsal tunnel syndrome is usually unknown but, rare case of space occupying benign tumors such as a ganglion may be one of the causes. We report our experiences of surgical treatment of the tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by ganglion we have encountered recently. METHODS: A 54-year-old male patient presented with paresthesia, burning pain, positive Tinnel's sign without preceeding trauma, infection or any other causes of event. With surgical intervention, we completely removed the space occupying ganglion and with performed surgical release of the posterior tibial nerve and its branches. RESULTS: At a 14-month follow up examination, the symptoms of paresthesia, burning pain, sensory disturbance was much improved compared to the preoperative conditions. Takakura's rating scale was elevated from 4(Poor) to 8(Good). CONCLUSION: We report our surgical experience of a rare case of tarsal tunnel syndrome caused by a ganglion, with a review of literature.

Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Neonates

The purpose of this study was to investigate the maturation characteristics of neonates. Ninety three neonates underwent a somatosensory evoked potentials(SEPs) testing. Twenty four point seven percent of them were neonates at risks including the neonatal asphyxia, low birth weight under 1500 g, or a suspicious CNS abnormality. Seventy five point three percent of neonates showed normal median SEPs, and 24.7% of them showed abnormal or a flat response. The mean latency of the first cortical component(N1) was 25.3+/-5.4 msec, duration 16.3+/-5.5 msec and amplitude 1.00+/-1.27 V. Thirty one point two percent of neonates showed normal posterior tibial SEPs, and 68.8% showed abnormal or a flat response. The mean latency of the first cortical component(P1) was 44.9+/-5.6 msec, duration 17.5+/-3.9 msec and amplitude 0.47+/-0.38 V. This result suggests that the maturation of rostal nervous system develops earlier than the caudal system. Linear decrease of the cortical latency with post-menstrual age reflects maturation of the central pathway and not merely maturation of the peripheral nerves. But our study showed much less frequency of recordings of the tibial nerve SEPs than the median nerve responses, which suggested that the maturation of spinal cord and lower-limb nerves would be slow, in addition to that the length of pathway was increasing. This result suggests that the maturation of the proximal shorter nervous pathway develops earlier than the distal longer pathway.

Normal Data of Somatosensory Evoked Potential by Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation

This study was undertaken to obtain the normal somatosensory evoked potential pattern from stimulation of the posterior tibial nerve in order to provide basic data for clinical use in diagnosis and management of patients with brain and spinal cord lesions. Thirty-six patients, free of neurological disease and 14 volunteers were tested with 4-Channel Nicolet CA 1000 Clinical Averager. There were 26 male and 24 female, ranging in height from 156 to 178 centimeter, with a mean height of 165.2 centimeter. The results were as follows: 1) All lumbar waves(LP1, LN1) and early cortical waves(P1, N1, P2, N2) were easily identified in all of normal subjects, but P3 was obtaind in 52% of them. 2) Mean latency of each wave was P1(38.10msec.+/-2.23), N1(47.04msec.+/-2.18), P2(N59.98msec.+/-2.97), N2(76.48msec.+/-4.97), LP1(17.99msec.+/-1.75) and LN1(20.72msec.+/-1.53). 3) There was significant correlations between height of individuals and latency of the P1 and LP1. 4) Conduction time between LN1and P1 was 16.55msec. (1.03 and mean latency of left to right difference was 0.23msec.+/-0.19.