Experience of treating facial neuritis, unexplained limb weakness, cervical spondylosis, acute myelitis, acute radiculitis, Guillain Barre syndrome, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, motor neuron disease, dermatomyositis with Xiaoxuming Decoction / 中国中药杂志

Xiaoxuming Decoction is an ancient classic herbal formula for the treatment of stroke. In ancient times, the connotation of stroke was very extensive, including facial neuritis, acute cerebral infarction, acute cerebral hemorrhage, sequelae of cerebral hemorrhage, unexplained weakness of limbs, cervical spondylosis, acute myelitis, acute radiculitis, Guillain Barre syndrome, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, motor neuron disease, dermatomyositis, hypokalemic paralysis peripheral neuritis. It has been identified that: ①Xiaoxuming Decoction is very common in the treatment of cerebrovascular diseases, such as cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage and other cerebrovascular diseases, facial neuritis, acute myelitis, acute radiculitis, Guillain Barre syndrome, unexplained limb weakness, multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, myasthenia gravis, and rheumatic and immune system diseases, such as dermatomyositis, and can not only alleviate symptoms, but also improve prognosis and the long-term survival rate. ②Sudden limb failure, facial paralysis, and hypoalgesia without heat syndrome are the key indications of Xiaoxuming Decoction. ③This is a special prescription for the treatment of acute facial neuritis, and can cure in one week in the combination with moxibustion. ④In the treatment of facial neuritis complicated with hypertension or acute cerebrovascular disease, Xiaoxuming Decoction generally has a certain antihypertensive effect, without any hypertensive effect, which reflected its two-way regulatory effect for blood pressure. ⑤In the treatment of unknown limb weakness, acute myelitis, acute radiculitis, Guillain Barre syndrome, Xiaoxuming Decoction can rapidly alleviate the symptoms. ⑥This is the basic formula for multiple sclerosis and motor neuron disease. Long term use of Xiaoxuming Decoction can alleviate the symptom of limb weakness, reduce the occurrence of complications and delay the progress of the disease, but with a poor long-term prognosis. ⑦In the treatment of myasthenia gravis, Xiaoxuming Decoction can significantly improve muscle strength, and gradually help stop hormone reduction. After thymoma surgery, Xiaoxuming Decoction is also applicable to some patients with recurrent myasthenia gravis. ⑧Xiaoxuming Decoction also plays a role in the treatment of dermatomyositis and cervical spondylopathy. ⑨Raw ephedra is the monarch drug of Xiaoxuming Decoction, which is the key to the effect. The dosage starts with 6 g is titrated in a small dose and increases gradually. In addition, this formula is forbidden for those with red face, fast heart rate, high blood pressure, blocked stool, red tongue, yellow fur, wiry and rapid pulse or powerful pulse, and spout pulse.

An experimental study of magnetic resonance DTI quantitative evaluation on effect of Mailuoning Injection for non-compressive lumbar radiculitis / 重庆医学

Objective To investigate use of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (MR-DTI) for quantitatively evaluating the efficacy of Mailuoning Injection on non-compressive lumbar radiculitis.Methods Nine Bama mini pigs were selected and divided into group A,B and C,3 cases in each group.The non-compressive lumbar radiculitis model was established under CT-guiding.The corresponding therapeutic drugs (group A:10 mL Mailuoning;group B:10 mL normal saline;group C:10 mL diminishing inflammation fluid) were given by epidural injection on 14 d after constructing model.MR-DTI was performed before model construction,14 d after model construction and before treatment.One experimental pig in each group was taken on 3,7,14 d after treatment,performed MR-DTI and killed for taking the nerve root sample to conduct the immunohistochemical detection.The fractional anisotropy (FA) values of nerve root in MR-DTI imaging were measured.The FA values and immunohistochemical detection results were statistically analyzed.Results MR-DTI:the FA values after model construction in each group was decreased (P0.05),but the FA values increase in the group C was earlier and more rapid than other two groups (P0.05),while the FA values had statistical difference between the group B and C (P<0.05).The immunohistochemical results:TNF-α integral absorbency value(IA value) on 7 d after treatment in the group A began to decline;the TNF-α IA value on 14 d after treatment in the group A and C was significantly decreased compared to group B,the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Mailuoning Injection has a certain effect on non-compressive lumbar radiculitis,which can be evaluated by using DTI.

Myofascial pain syndrome of gluteus minimus mimicking lumbar radiculitis: A case report

Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) can be characterized by pain caused by trigger points (TrPs) and fascial constrictions. Patients with MPS of the gluteus minimus muscles often complain of symptoms such as hip pain, especially when standing up after sitting or lying on the affected side, limping, and pain radiating down to the lower extremities. A 24-year-old female patient presenting with motor and sensory impairments of both lower extremities was referred to our pain clinic after initially being diagnosed with lumbar radiculitis. Under the impression of MPS of the gluteus minimus muscles following through evaluation and physical examination of the patient, we performed trigger point injections under ultrasonography guidance on the myofascial TrPs. Dramatic improvement of the patient's symptoms was observed following this treatment, and she was discharged without any further remaining symptoms.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Caudal, Interlaminar, and Transforaminal Epidural Injections in Managing Lumbar Disc Herniation: Is One Method Superior to the Other?

BACKGROUND: Epidural injections are performed utilizing 3 approaches in the lumbar spine: caudal, interlaminar, and transforaminal. The literature on the efficacy of epidural injections has been sporadic. There are few high-quality randomized trials performed under fluoroscopy in managing disc herniation that have a long-term follow-up and appropriate outcome parameters. There is also a lack of literature comparing the efficacy of these 3 approaches. METHODS: This manuscript analyzes data from 3 randomized controlled trials that assessed a total of 360 patients with lumbar disc herniation. There were 120 patients per trial either receiving local anesthetic alone (60 patients) or local anesthetic with steroids (60 patients). RESULTS: Analysis showed similar efficacy for caudal, interlaminar, and transforaminal approaches in managing chronic pain and disability from disc herniation. The analysis of caudal epidural injections showed the potential superiority of steroids compared with local anesthetic alone a 2-year follow-up, based on the average relief per procedure. In the interlaminar group, results were somewhat superior for pain relief in the steroid group at 6 months and functional status at 12 months. Interlaminar epidurals provided improvement in a significantly higher proportion of patients. The proportion of patients nonresponsive to initial injections was also lower in the group for local anesthetic with steroid in the interlaminar trial. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this assessment show significant improvement in patients suffering from chronic lumbar disc herniation with 3 lumbar epidural approaches with local anesthetic alone, or using steroids with long-term follow-up of up to 2 years, in a contemporary interventional pain management setting.

Effect of Jingzhui Wentong Capsule on somesthetic evoked potential,behavior and pathology of rat with cervical radiculitis / 中成药

AIM:To observe the effect of Jingzhui Wentong (JZWT) Capsule (Ramulus Cinnamomi,Radix et Rhizoma clematidis,Radix Puerariae Lobatae,Radix Dipsaci,etc.) on somesthetic evoked potential (SEP),behavior and pathology of rat's cervical radiculitis induced by formalin. METHODS:Experiments were carried out:(1) 60 SD rats were divided randomly into 6 groups:control,model and Jingfukang groups,the high,moderate and low dose groups of JZWT Capsule. Rats of these groups were given water,Jingfukang or JZWT Capsule respectively,and SEP was tested after operation and 14 days after drugs were given to rats. At the same time,the animal behavior was observed daily. (2) 144 SD rats were divided into the same groups and given the same drugs as before. The nerve roots were taken out for pathological observation after 4,7,14,and 21 days with drug administration. RESULTS:In each drug group,the normal SEP was obviously restored,symptoms of encroached nerve were notably lightened,inflammatory reaction and proliferation tissue of mimic cervical radiculitis were more obviously alleviated than that in the model group of rat. CONCLUSION:JZWT Capsule can reduce significantly pathology change of mimic cervical radiculitis in rats,and promote the recovery of nerve function.