Acute abducens nerve palsy with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis-like presentation following COVID-19 vaccination

We report two adult cases of abducens nerve palsy presenting immediately (within weeks) after they received the first dose of Covishield vaccination. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain obtained after the onset of diplopia demonstrated demyelinating changes. The patients had associated systemic symptoms. Post-vaccination demyelination typically known as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) associated with several vaccines is more common in children. Although the mechanism of the nerve palsy remains unclear, it is suspected to be related to the post-vaccine neuroinflammatory syndrome. Cranial nerve palsies and ADEM-like presentations may represent part of the neurologic spectrum following COVID-vaccination in adults, and ophthalmologists should be aware of these sequelae. Although cases of sixth nerve palsy following COVID vaccination are already reported, associated MRI changes have not been reported from India.

Experience in Diagnosis and Treatment of Oculomotor Nerve Palsy based on Channel Pattern Differentiation / 中医杂志

It is believed that the basic pathogenesis of oculomotor nerve paralysis （ONP） is qi and blood depletion and channel obstruction. Taking channel pattern differentiation as the core， it is recommended to use acupuncture mainly based on location， syndrome and channel deficiency-excess differentiation. Location and channel tropism differentiation mainly follows the principle of “where the channels and collaterals pass， the main treatment can reach”， and commonly uses acupuncture points on Dumai （督脉）， the hand Shaoyang （少阳） Sanjiao （三焦） channel， the hand Taiyang （太阳） small intestine channel， three yang channels of the foot， the hand Shaoyin （少阴） heart channel， the foot Jueyin （厥阴） liver channel， and others， and combines scalp acupuncture with electro-acupuncture to enhance channel stimulation. Pattern and channel tropism differentiation is to differentiate the entered channel according to clinical symptoms and zang-fu patterns. The differentiation of deficiency-excess should be payed attention to， and the principle of “supplementing the deficiency， and draining the excess” should be followed. The supplementing and draining method should be used rationally by considering the differences in the supplementing and draining acupoints themselves， as well as the actual condition of the patients. Simultaneously， it is suggested to combine manipulation and stimulation amount and effect in clinical practice.

Neuro-ophthalmological manifestations of diabetes mellitus during COVID-19-related lockdown in India

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID?19) pandemic has resulted in a huge impact on the health care system. Diversion of health care workforce toward management of a high number of COVID?19 cases and lockdown restrictions have affected the follow?up of patients. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of this situation on the control of diabetes, eventually resulting in related neuro?ophthalmological complications. Methods: This retrospective case series included diabetic patients visiting the neuro?ophthalmology clinic at a tertiary care eye center in India from 25 March 2020 to 25 September 2020 during the lockdown. The incidence of diabetes?related neuro?ophthalmological complications, including third, fourth, sixth nerve palsies and non?arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) was evaluated and compared with that of the same period during 2019. Results: Overall disease incidence rate was significantly higher in the year 2020 (60.2%) compared to the previous year of 2019 (29.8%). The proportion of third nerve palsy (4.8% vs 16.3%, P < 0.001) and NAION (0.3% vs 14.3%, P < 0.001) had increased. Even though the percentage of sixth nerve palsy was 25% in 2020, this was not significantly different from 2019. There was a reduction in the percentage of fourth nerve palsy cases from the year 2019 to 2020. Conclusion: There was a significant increase in diabetes?related neuro?ophthalmic complications during the COVID?19 lockdown. This can possibly be attributed to worsening of glycemic control in diabetic patients.

Bilateral Facial Nerve Palsy after Sars-Cov2 Infection in Pediatric Patient

COVID-19 infection has been associated with several neurologic manifestations including anosmia, acute ischemic stroke, Guillain-Barré syndrome, encephalopathy and cranial nerve involvement. Though multiple cases of unilateral facial nerve palsy have been reported but bilateral facial palsy is very rare. Our case was 12 years old female patient who presented with difficulty in closing mouth, drooling of saliva and change in voice. On examination, there was loss of bilateral nasolabial folds, nasal twang of speech and incomplete eye closure bilaterally. Laboratory reports suggested raised CRP and amylase along with positive Immunoglobulin IgG covid-19 antibodies. Magnetic Resonance Imaging of brain and neck showed no abnormality. The child was managed conservatively with supportive care, subsequent to which she gradually improved over next 4-6 weeks. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first pediatric case where SARS-COV2 infection was found to be associated with bilateral facial nerve palsy as a post covid complication. Therefore, bilateral facial palsy should be considered as one of the associations of COVID especially in the present era. A detailed history and examination should be done as it often gets missed due to bilateral involvement. All differential diagnosis should be ruled out by relevant laboratory & radiological tests. Most children are likely to recover well with supportive treatment.

Parálisis del nervio radial neonatal: relato de un caso / Isolated radial nerve palsy in a newborn: case report

La parálisis radial neonatal aislada (PRNA) es un cuadro clínico infrecuente que debe distinguirse de otras entidades más frecuentes, como la parálisis braquial obstétrica (PBO). Debemos sospechar una PRNA en neonatos que presentan incapacidad para la extensión de muñeca y de dedos, pero mantienen intacta la función del deltoides, del bíceps, y del tríceps, así como la flexión de muñeca y de dedos. Mientras la PBO tiene una evolución clínica variable dependiendo de la extensión de la lesión neurológica, la PRNA presenta una resolución espontánea, independientemente del grado de afectación inicial. Presentamos el caso de un recién nacido con PRNA cuyo diagnóstico inicial fue de PBO.

Isolated radial nerve palsy (IRNP) in the newborn is a rare clinical condition that must be distinguished from entities that are more common, such brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP). It should be suspected in newborns presenting with absent wrist and digital extension but intact deltoid, biceps, and triceps function, as well as wrist and digital flexor function. Whereas BPBP is highly variable depending on the extent of the neurological involvement, IRNP resolves spontaneously, regardless of the severity of the initial presentation. We herein present a case of newborn with IRNP whose initial diagnosis was of BPBP.

Profile of Neurological Manifestations in Children Presenting With Rickettsial Disease

Objective: To study the profile of neurological manifestation of rickettsial disease in children. Methods: Review of hospital records was done in a tertiary care hospital for the period from January to December, 2020. Data of all the children fulfilling the inclusion criteria i.e., clinical criteria and serology were retrieved from the hospital records. Results: Of the total 7974 children admitted over this period, 178 were diagnosed with rickettsial disease wherein 54 (33.3%) had neurological involvement. Convulsions (59%), altered sensorium (56%), headache (44%), meningeal signs (37%), ataxia, (11%), lateral rectus palsy (7.5%) and stroke (7.5%) were the major neurological manifestations. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis done in 30 (55%) children showed pleocytosis [median (IQR) cells 15 (3.75, 50)] with lymphocyte predominance [median (IQR) lymphocytes 11.5 (3, 38.75)] and elevated proteins [median IQR 41.5 (29.75,61)]. Neuroimaging abnormalities noticed were cerebral edema (n=7), cerebellar hyperintensities (n=5), basal ganglia infarcts (n=2) and hippocampal hyperintensities (n=1). Conclusion: Early recognition of rickettsial infection as a cause of neurological manifestation would facilitate early specific management.

Clinical profile and management of sixth nerve palsy in pediatric patients (0–15 years) in Southern India – A hospital-based study

Purpose: This study was done to evaluate the clinical profile in pediatric patients (0–16 years) presenting with acute onset esotropia due to sixth nerve palsy and its management options in a tertiary care set up of Southern India. Methods: A total of 12 patients presenting to our OPD with acute onset esotropia due to sixth nerve palsies were included in this retrospective study. All patients were observed for 6 months and managed with prism and/or patching while waiting for spontaneous resolution and later managed surgically. Neuroimaging was done in all cases. Results: The mean deviation of esotropia at presentation was 30.17 ± 5.7 Prism Diopter (range 12–50 Prism Diopter 95% CI, SD 10.11). Mean age of the patients during presentation was 8.6 ± 2.4 years (range: 1–15 years, SD 4.27). Among the common causes of sixth nerve palsy in our study population were trauma and idiopathic intracranial hypertension followed by tumor and miscellaneous causes. Only three patients underwent surgical correction of residual deviation after a waiting period of 6 months for self?resolution. Spontaneous resolution was observed in 41.6% patients, and surgical correction (unilateral resection–recession) was done in 25% of the patients with good surgical outcome. Conclusion: At 1?year follow up, the motor outcome was satisfactory except for one patient who had diffuse pontine glioma and had worsening neurological symptoms on follow?up

Silent killer presenting as isolated oculomotor nerve palsy

Head trauma can result trivial to life threatening manifestations to a person. Subdural hemotomais characterised by accumulation of blood in subdural space, in most cases it is a serious condition and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment for the same to provide good outcome. Large collection, mid line shift, brain herniation associated with subdural hematoma is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. However, if the collection is minimal or is places like tentorium cerebelli may not have the typical presentation and if it抯 picked up using the subtle signs the devastating sequelae can be prevented. We report a 19 years old male with head trauma presenting with features of right-side isolated oculomotor nerve palsy who eventually found to have tentorial subdural hemotoma in imaging which has been intervened and complications were avoided.

Prisms in the treatment of diplopia with strabismus of various etiologies

Purpose: We aimed to study the success of prism in regard to diplopia resolution score and associated factors in patients presenting with symptomatic diplopia arising from various etiologies. Methods: In this descriptive, retrospective study diplopia resolution among 31 patients who were prescribed prism were analyzed. Results: Fifty?four patients were evaluated for diplopia and 31 were included for the study done over 3 years. The mean follow?up was 15 months. Esotropia, exotropia, and hypertropia were seen in 39%, 51%, and 19.4% of patients, respectively. Furthermore, 71% received Fresnel prism and 29% were given ground glass prism. The mean prism power prescribed was 13.3 PD. 87% had complete resolution of diplopia; 96.8% continued usage of prism. High success rates were seen among patients with decompensated strabismus, sixth and fourth nerve palsy. Horizontal prism and oblique prism in the form of Fresnel prism yielded complete resolution of diplopia (P = 0.028). There was no association between the success of prism and etiology (P 0.058), history of trauma (P = 0.212), and type of deviation (P = 0.387). The study showed that oblique Fresnel prism can be considered for combined deviation. Conclusion: Our study showed prism to be effective in alleviating diplopia over a varied range of etiologies

A Case of Decreased Swallowing Function Due to Cardiac Myxoma / 日本プライマリ・ケア連合学会誌

The case was a 77-year-old man. He had dizziness and dysphagia for 2 years, and underwent detailed screening at the internal medicine department for general malaise and bloody sputum. He was hospitalized for aspiration pneumonia due to dysphagia of unknown origin. This time, he visited a local doctor with palpitations and shortness of breath. Echocardiography indicated a left atrial tumor involving the mitral valve and arrhythmia. Emergency surgery was performed to remove the left atrial myxoma and close the patch at our hospital's cardiovascular surgery department. After the excision, swallowing function was restored, and the patient was diagnosed with postoperative Ortner's syndrome. We report a case where echocardiography was considered important as a detailed investigation of the cause of swallowing dysfunction and dizziness.

Facial nerve palsy in otitis externa: A red flag?

@#Otitis externa is an infection of the external auditory canal. It rarely results in facial palsy except in severe cases such as necrotizing otitis externa, which is a life-threatening invasive infection of the external auditory canal. Early recognition with prompt and appropriate treatment of necrotizing otitis externa is crucial to prevent more sinister complications. Here we report a case of an elderly gentleman who presented with otitis externa and developed facial palsy a month later. We identified possible problems that may have led to the complication so that such an occurrence can be prevented in the future.

Paresia unilateral do terceiro nervo após uso de Metronidazol oral / Unilateral third nerve palsy after use of oral Metronidazole

Resumo Paciente do sexo feminino, 19 anos, com queixa de diplopia, náusea e vômito de início súbito. Ao exame físico, a paciente apresentava rotação da cabeça para a esquerda e limitação da adução do olho direito, sugerindo paresia do músculo reto medial. Ausência de ptose palpebral ou paresia de outra musculatura ocular extrínseca e sem outras alterações na avaliação oftalmológica. Foi relatado pelo paciente o uso de Metronidazol, duas doses de 500 mg, no mesmo dia em que os sintomas começaram. A ressonância magnética do crânio foi solicitada. O resultado mostrou um cisto da glândula pineal, estando os outros aspectos dentro da normalidade. A paresia do músculo reto medial e diplopia persistiram por 14 dias, mesmo após a suspensão do antibiótico, optando, assim, por iniciar a corticoterapia oral, evoluindo com boa resposta clínica, melhora dos sintomas e regressão da paresia muscular.

Abstract Female patient, 19 years old, with a complaint of diplopia, nausea and vomiting of sudden onset. Upon physical examination, the patient presented herself with the head position rotated to the left and limitation of adduction of the right eye, suggesting paresis of the medial rectus muscle. Absence of palpebral ptosis or paresis of other extrinsic musculature of the eye, and without other alterations in the ophthalmological evaluation. It was reported by the patient the use of Metronidazole, two doses of 500 mg, the same day the symptoms started. The magnetic resonance imaging of the skull was requested. The result showed a cyst of the pineal gland, the other aspects being within normality. The paresis of the medial rectus muscle and diplopia persisted for 14 days, even after the antibiotic was discontinued, thus opting to initiate oral corticosteroid therapy, evolving with good clinical response, improvement of symptoms and regression of muscular paresis.

Anteromedial Surface Plating for Midshaft Fracture Humerus Through an Anterolateral Approach - A Better Option than Anterolateral Plating

@#Introduction: Osteosynthesis by plate fixation of humeral shaft fractures as a gold standard for fracture fixation has been proven beyond doubt. However, during conventional anterolateral plating Radial nerve injury may occur which can be avoided by applying plate on the medial flat surface. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of application of plate on the flat medial surface of humerus rather than the conventional anterolateral surface. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted between Oct 2010 to Dec 2015. One-hundred-fifty fracture shafts of the humerus were treated with the anteromedial plating through the anterolateral approach. Results: One-hundred-fifty patients with a fracture shaft of the humerus were treated with anteromedial plating. Twenty were female (mean ±SD,28 years±4.5) and 130 were male (mean ± SD, 38 years±5.6). One hundred and forty-eight out of 150 (98.6%) patients achieved union at 12 months. Two of three patients developed a superficial infection, both of which were treated successfully by antibiotics and one developed a deep infection, which was treated by wound debridement, prolonged antibiotics with the removal of the plate and subsequently by delayed plating and bone grafting. Conclusion: In the present study, we applied plate on the anteromedial flat surface of humerus using the anterolateral approach. It is an easier and quicker fixation as compared to anterolateral plating because later involved much more dissection than a medial application of the plate and this application of plate on a medial flat surface, does not required Radial nerve exposure and palsy post-operatively. The significant improvement in elbow flexion without brachialis dissection is also a potential benefit of this approach. Based on our results, we recommend the application of an anteromedial plate for treatment of midshaft fractures humerus.

Clinical observation on post-stroke oculomotor nerve palsy treated with the interaction of twelve meridian muscle regions and contralateral needling therapy / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect on post-stroke oculomotor nerve palsy treated with the interaction of twelve meridian muscle regions and contralateral needling therapy.@*METHODS@#A total of 46 patients with post-stroke oculomotor nerve palsy were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 23 cases in each one. In the control group, the intramusclar injection of mecobalamine at the buttock region was given, 1 mL each time, once every two days, 3 times weekly. Besides, citicoline sodium capsules were prescribed for oral administration, 0.2 g each time, 3 times daily. In the observation group, on the base of the treatment as the control group, the interaction of twelve meridian muscle regions and contralateral needling therapy was supplemented. Acupoints on the health sides included Juliao (ST 3) and Hanyan (GB 4), acupoints on the affected side included Jingming (BL 1), Sibai (ST 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Cuanzhu (BL 2), Shangming (Extra), Sizhukong (TE 23), Tongziliao (GB 1) and bilateral Fengchi (GB 20), Quchi (LI 11), Pianli (LI 6), Waiguan (TE 5), Hegu (LI 4) were selected. The needles were retained for 30 min in each acupuncture treatment, once a day, 5 times weekly. The treatment for 4 weeks was required in the two groups. Before and after treatment, the score of cervical range of motion (CROM), pupil size, eye fissure width and eyeball mobility were observed in the patients of the two groups. The clinical effect was evaluated in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, CROM scores and pupil size were reduced in the patients of the two groups (<0.05), and the values in the observation group were lower than the control group (<0.05). The eye fissure width and eyeball mobility were increased in the two groups (<0.05), the eye fissure width and the mobility of the muscles of rectus internus, inferior rectus and inferior oblique in the observation group were larger than the control group (<0.05). The effective rate was 82.6% (19/23) in the observation group, higher than 65.2% (15/23) in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The interaction of twelve meridian muscle regions and contrallateral needling therapy effectively relieves diplopia, pupil dilation, narrow eye fissure and limited eyeball mobility in the patients with post-stroke oculomotor nerve palsy.

Surgical outcomes of transmastoid facial nerve decompression: Preliminary data from a Malaysian tertiary hospital from 2013-2018

@#Introductions: Facial nerve palsy (FNP) occurs in 7-10% of temporal bone fractures. The aim of this study was to review the surgical outcome of nine patients with severe to complete traumatic facial nerve (FN) injury. Methods: The patients were evaluated clinically and FNP was graded using the House Brackmann (HB) scale. High resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) of the temporal bone was used to evaluate temporal bone fractures. Transmastoid facial nerve decompression was performed and the facial nerve function was re-evaluated in subsequent follow ups. Results: There were five cases with immediate onset and four with delayed onset of FNP. Only three cases had pure temporal bone fractures, the others were associated with other life threatening injuries. The sensitivity and specificity of HRCT temporal bone to detect the obvious facial canal fracture line were 50% and 40% respectively. 75% of patients with immediate onset of HB grade VI FN palsy who were operated within a month recovered completely. Surgeries for the delayed onset FNP were performed at a mean of 70 days (range 51-94). All recovered to HB grade II-III from severe FNP. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that transmastoid FN decompression surgery was beneficial to traumatic nerve injury. Early intervention resulted in better outcomes. However, FN function could still be salvaged even in delayed FN decompression.

Varicella and isolated acute peripheral facial nerve palsy: A systematic review on natural history, prognosis and treatment

@#Background & Objective: Varicella is a common infection during childhood and generally self-limiting. However, it can rarely cause neurological complications. Isolated acute peripheral facial palsy (APFP) is extremely rare during primary varicella infection with estimated incidence of <0.01%. There have also been conflicting opinions on its natural history, prognosis and management worldwide. We aimed to establish the natural history, prognosis and treatment for varicella-related isolated APFP in immunocompetent individuals, without co-morbids. Methods: Systematic review was performed with systematic literature search in Google Scholar and PubMed. Data was analysed with statistical analysis software. Results: Thirty cases were included. The complete remission rate of APFP was 66.67% for nontreatment group and 72.22% for treatment group (p=0.643). Early and late treatment group had a similar complete remission rate of 88.89% and 80% respectively (p=1.000). However, early treatment group (within 3 days of onset) had achieved complete remission 3 weeks earlier than the late treatment group (p=0.091). Antiviral group tends to have better outcome than steroid monotherapy group, although statistically insignificant (p=0.055). Conclusions: This condition generally has good prognosis even without treatment. However, early treatment and antiviral therapy may at least accelerate remission and reduce morbidities although these cannot alter the final outcome. Clinicians may consider antiviral therapy if patients present within 3 days of onset. These findings need to be applied with caution, considering the limitations of our review.

Etiology, localization of the lesion, and prognosis for patients firstly diagnosed in ophthalmology department with oculomotor nerve palsy / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Oculomotor nerve palsy is a kind of disease with many causes, showing eye movement disorders, abnormal eyelid position, and/or damage of the pupil. The etiology of oculomotor nerve palsy in different departments is different. The study discussed the etiology, localization of the lesion, and prognosis for oculomotor nerve palsy firstly diagnosed in department of ophthalmology.@*METHODS@#Clinical data of 137 hospitalized patients with oculomotor nerve palsy at the Department of Ophthalmology, the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from 2009 to 2018 were retrospectively collected. The etiology and its distribution characteristics in different age groups, the location of the lesion, and the prognosis of patients were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#In 137 patients, the top 3 causes for oculomotor nerve palsy were head trauma (38.69%), cavernous sinus lesions (12.40%), and orbital inflammation (9.49%). Other causes included intracranial aneurysm, the intracranial space-occupying lesion, cerebral vessel diseases, infection, orbital tumors, diabetes, the operation of nasal cavity. Traumatic oculomotor nerve palsy was more common in young adults aged 20-49 years and in the patients with cerebral vascular disease in elderly people aged 60-69 years, while diabetic oculomotor nerve palsy is common in middle-aged and elderly people aged 50-69 years. The age distribution of other etiological types was relatively balanced. Seventy-five cases of orbital apex lesions were due to trauma, inflammation, infection, and tumor; 40 cases of cavernous sinus lesions were due to inflammation, tumor, and thrombosis; 6 cases of subarachnoid lesions were due to aneurysms, tumors, and trauma; 5 cases were oculomotor nucleus lesions were due to infarction; 11 cases could not be allocated because of unknown etiology. After treatment, the corrected visual acuity of oculomotor nerve palsy side was not significantly improved. The patients with oculomotor nerve palsy caused by intracranial aneurysm, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes mellitus had the highest proportion of partial or complete recovery from ptosis and ocular dyskinesia.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Oculomotor nerve palsy is a common cause of ophthalmoplegia and diplopia. Head trauma, cavernous sinus lesions, and orbital inflammation are the most common causes for oculomotor nerve palsy first diagnosed in ophthalmology department. Traumatic oculomotor nerve palsy is common in adolescents. Oculomotor nerve palsy caused by diabetes and cerebrovascular disease are common in the middle-aged and elderly people. Most of the lesions locate in the orbital apex and cavernous sinus. The prognosis of corrected visual acuity is poor. The prognosis of ptosis and ocular dyskinesia caused by intracranial aneurysm, cerebrovascular disease, and diabetes is good. Figuring out the cause timely and accurately is the basis and key to treat oculomotor nerve palsy.

Efficacy of In Situ Fenestrated Open Stent Technique (FeneOS) for the Surgery of Acute Aortic Dissection Type A Surgery / 日本心臓血管外科学会雑誌

Background : The surgical repair of acute aortic dissection type A [AAD (A)] by reconstructing the left subclavian artery (LSCA) is sometimes difficult because of the deep surgical field and the occurrence of left recurrent nerve palsy or bleeding. In Japan, since 2014, a commercially available open stent graft (J-graft OPEN STENT) has been used for promoting thrombosis of the false lumen in the descending aorta. This report presents an efficacy evaluation of the surgeon-made in situ Fenestrated Open Stent (FeneOS) for LSCA reconstruction in a patient with AAD (A). Method : We performed surgery with FeneOS using the open stent graft by first deploying it from the entry of the LSCA into the descending aorta and manually making a hole on the LSCA side of the stenting portion ; then, the four-branched J graft was anastomosed between the left common carotid (lt. CCA) and SCA (ZONE 2). At our institution, 47 patients with AAD (A) underwent this surgery with FeneOS from 2014 to 2019 (FeneOS group) and 97 patients with AAD (A) underwent a normal open-stenting procedure from 2008 to 2014 (non-FeneOS group). We analyzed the postoperative results of patients in the FeneOS and non-FeneOS groups. Results : Preoperative characteristics of patients in both groups were similar. Patients in the FeneOS group had an acceptable postoperative course, with no 30-day or in-hospital deaths. The mean operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, selective cerebral perfusion time, and open distal anastomosis time were significantly shorter in patients in the FeneOS group (p＜0.01). None of the patients had left recurrent nerve palsy, and postoperative computed tomography or arterial echo showed that the blood flow through the LSCA was intact and revealed no endoleakage. Conclusion : FeneOS is simple, fast, and less invasive for the reconstruction of the LSCA without the risk of left recurrent nerve palsy and can be effective for treating patients with AAD (A).

Effectiveness of tibialis posterior tendon transfer for foot drop secondary to peroneal nerve palsy / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of tibialis posterior tendon transfer for foot drop secondary to peroneal nerve palsy. Methods: The clinical data of 21 patients with unilateral foot drop secondary to peroneal nerve palsy between October 2009 and September 2016 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males and 9 females with an average age of 32.1 years (range, 23-47 years). The causes of peroneal nerve injury were iatrogenic injury in 7 cases, tibiofibular fractures combined with compartment syndrome in 5 cases, nerve exploration surgery after stab or cut injury in 3 cases, direct violence in 4 cases, and the fibular head fracture in 2 cases. The average time from injury to operation was 5.6 years (range, 2-8 years). There was 1 case of hallux valgus and 5 cases of toe flexion contracture. The American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hindfoot scores, Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) scores, range of motion (ROM), and dorsiflexion strength of ankle joint were used to evaluated the ankle function. Radiographic evaluation for the changes of postoperative foot alignment included Meary angle, calcaneal pitch angle, and hindfoot alignment angle. Results: All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 18-42 months (mean, 30.2 months). The dorsiflexion strength of ankle joint recovered from grade 0 to grade 3-4 after operation. There was no patient with a postoperative flat foot deformity and claw toe during follow-up. There was no significant difference in Meary angle, calcaneal pitch angle, and hindfoot alignment angle between pre- and post-operation ( P>0.05). The AOFAS score, FAAM score, and ROM of dorsiflexion significantly improved at last follow-up when compared with preoperative values ( P<0.05); while there was no significant difference in ROM of plantar-flexion between pre- and post-operation ( t=4.239, P=0.158). There were significant differences in AOFAS score, FAAM score, and ROM of dorsiflexion between affected and healthy sides ( P<0.05); but no significant difference in ROM of plantar-flexion was found ( t=2.319, P=0.538). Conclusion: Tibialis posterior tendon transfer is an effective surgical option for foot drop secondary to peroneal nerve palsy. And no postoperative flat foot deformity occurred at short-term follow-up.