Avaliação da eficácia do uso dos monofilamentos de Semmes-Weinstein para avaliação da sensibilidade abdominal / Evaluation of the effectiveness of Semmes­Weinstein monofilaments in assessing abdominal sensitivity

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar se o método de Semmes-Weinstein tem resultados consistentes e verificar se existem diferenças de sensibilidade entre as regiões da parede abdominal. MÉTODOS: Os monofilamentos de Semmes-Weinstein foram utilizados para avaliar a sensibilidade da pele à pressão abdominal em 20 voluntárias. A pele abdominal foi dividida em nove regiões. A avaliação da sensibilidade cutânea à pressão foi realizada três vezes em cada área, com um intervalo de uma semana entre as medidas. RESULTADOS: Analisando-se as três medidas em cada área, isoladamente, não houve diferenças significativas no limiar pressórico. No entanto, o método de Semmes-Weinstein mostrou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os valores pressóricos obtidos de cada região abdominal. CONCLUSÕES: Os monofilamentos de Semmes-Weinstein são consistentes para avaliar a sensibilidade da pele abdominal à pressão. Notou-se que o método de Semmes-Weinstein mostrou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as diferentes áreas da região abdominal. Utilizando-se a metodologia do presente estudo, foi possível estabelecer um protocolo para reduzir o aspecto subjetivo, medindo a sensibilidade à pressão.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments could be used to reliably assess the sensitivities of different abdominal wall regions. METHODS: Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments were used to evaluate skin sensitivity to abdominal pressure in 20 volunteers. The abdominal skin was divided into nine regions. The assessment of skin sensitivity to pressure was carried out three times in each area, with 1 week intervals between measurements. RESULTS: No significant differences in the pressure threshold were observed when the three measurements in each region were analyzed separately. However, with the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament technique, a statistically significant difference was observed between the values of pressure obtained in each abdominal region. CONCLUSIONS: Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments are a reliable tool in evaluating abdominal skin sensitivity to pressure. A statistically significant difference was observed between the different areas of the abdominal region with this technique. With the method reported in this study, it was possible to establish a protocol to reduce subjectivity and measure the skin sensitivity to pressure.

Prognostic value of thumb pain sensation in birth brachial plexopathy / Valor prognóstico da sensibilidade dolorosa do polegar na plexopatia braquial relacionada ao parto

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of absent thumb pain sensation in newborns and young infants with birth brachial plexopathy. METHODS: We evaluated 131 patients with birth brachial plexopathy with less than two months of age. Pain sensation was evoked by thumb nail bed compression to evaluate sensory fibers of the upper trunk (C6). The patients were followed-up monthly. Patients with less than antigravity elbow flexion at six months of age were considered to have a poor outcome. RESULTS: Thirty patients had absent thumb pain sensation, from which 26 showed a poor outcome. Sensitivity of the test was 65% and specificity was 96%. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of thumb pain sensation should be included in the clinical assessment of infants with birth brachial plexopathy.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o valor prognóstico da hipoestesia dolorosa no polegar em recém-nascidos e lactentes jovens com plexopatia braquial obstétrica. MÉTODOS: Avaliamos 131 pacientes com plexopatia braquial obstétrica com menos de dois meses de idade. A sensação dolorosa foi provocada pela compressão do leito ungueal do polegar para avaliar fibras sensitivas do tronco superior (C6). Os pacientes foram seguidos mensalmente. Prognóstico desfavorável foi atribuído aos pacientes sem força antigravitacional para flexão do cotovelo aos seis meses de idade. RESULTADOS: Trinta pacientes apresentaram hipoestesia dolorosa do polegar, dos quais 26 tiveram prognóstico desfavorável. A sensibilidade do teste foi de 65% e a especificidade 96%. CONCLUSÃO: A avaliação da sensibilidade dolorosa do polegar deve ser incluída na avaliação clínica de pacientes com plexopatia braquial obstétrica.

Síndrome disautonómico de Ross: variaciones de un tema / Disautonomic Ross syndrome: variations about one theme

El síndrome de Ross fue descrito en 1958 como una afección degenerativa del sistema nervioso autónomo definido por la tríada de anhidrosis generalizada, disminución de los reflejos tendinosos y pupila tónica. Desde su descripción inicial se han descrito cerca de cuarenta casos. Comunicamos tres pacientes con variantes de interés que incluyen la presencia de espasmos cíclicos espontáneos del esfínter de iris, el desarrollo conjunto de síndrome de Holmes-Adie en un lado y síndrome Horner posganglionar en el otro, trastornos del desarrollo piloso en el lado de la anhidrosis, alteraciones de la motilidad intestinal, lengua sin papilas gustativas y disfunción sexual.

Ross Syndrome was described in 1958 as a degenerative condition of the autonomic nervous system defined by a triad of generalized anhidrosis, reduction of tendon reflexes and tonic pupil. Since its initial description about 40 cases have been described. We communicate three cases with variants of interest involving the presence of the simultaneous development of syndrome of Holmes-Adie on one side and Horner syndrome in the other, disorders of pilous follicle development on the side of anhidrosis, spontaneous disturbances of intestinal motility, tonque without papillae and sexual dysfunction.

Reliability of Thai version Boston questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the reliability of the Thai version Boston questionnaire. SETTING: Hospital-based electrodiagnosis laboratory, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The Boston questionnaire is the severity rating instrument for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). It consists of 11 items of symptom severity scores (SSS) and eight items of functional severity scores (FSS). CTS patients, confirmed by electrodiagnosis, were evaluated by the Thai version Boston questionnaire. The reliability was assessed by internal consistency using Chronbach's alpha coefficient. RESULTS: Thirty-one subjects (4 male and 27 female) enrolled in the present study. Among these, six were classified as mild, nine as moderate, and 16 as severe CTS. Chronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.86 and 0.84 in SSS and FSS, respectively. CONCLUSION: Thai version Boston questionnaire is reliable to measure hand symptoms and disabilities due to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Trigeminal sensory neuropathy and facial contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal sensory neuropathy (TSN) describes a heterogeneous group of disorders manifesting as facial numbness. OBJECTIVE: We report the case of a patient who had TSN associated with contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp. METHOD/RESULTS: A 21-year-old female patient developed left hemifacial contact dermatitis after exposure to the anthurium plant. The patient had paresthesias and pain in the V2 and V3 divisions of the left trigeminal nerve. Eight days after its onset the dermatitis resolved, but numbness developed in the V2 and V3 divisions of the left trigeminal nerve. Cranial CT scan and MRI, as well as CSF and extensive work-up exams, were normal. After one month the symptoms disappeared completely. CONCLUSION: Anthurium sp, an indoor ornamental plant that contains calcium oxalate crystals, and can causes contact dermatitis. To our knowledge, this is the first report associating TSN with contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp.

INTRODUÇÃO: A neuropatia trigeminal sensitiva (NTS) representa um grupo heterogêneo de doenças, cuja manifestação clínica é a presença de dormência na região facial. OBJETIVO: Relatamos o caso de paciente que apresenta NTS associada com dermatite de contato (DC) devido à planta Anthurium sp. MÉTODO/RESULTADOS: Uma paciente com 21 anos desenvolveu DC na região hemi-facial esquerda, após exposição à planta Anthurium sp. Após a resolução do quadro de dermatite, a referida paciente apresentou dormência e parestesias no território do segundo e terceiro ramos do nervo trigêmeo esquerdo. Um mês após o início do quadro houve resolução completa dos sintomas. CONCLUSÃO: O Anthurium é uma planta ornamental que contém cristas de oxalato de cálcio, que podem causar DC. Para o nosso conhecimento este é o primeiro relato associando NTS e dermatite de contato devido à exposição ao Anthurium sp.

Protective sensibility--its monofilament nylon threshold equivalents in leprosy patients.

An attempt has been made to definite the levels of "protective sensibility" in terms of perception thresholds to monofilament nylon induced touch/pressure stimuli. Certain problems were observed while interpreting the observations. There appears to be a range of threshold values instead of a clear cut-off point. We suggest that a monofilament nylon stimulus two times the normal threshold value for that patient be taken as cut-off point. This will make the observations of Birke and Sims (1986) and Hammond and Klenerman (1987) reasonable without having any need to exclude the cases who defy the boundaries laid by them. Since the genesis of plantar ulcer is multifactorial, it appears logical to include all patients who have a certain degree of hypoaesthesia, for special ulcer care program. The likely problems while using monofilament nylons in the field and their possible solutions have also been outlined.

Síndrome de distiquiasis linfedema / Distichiasis-lymphedema syndrome

Introducción. El síndrome de distiquiasis-linfedema es una anomalía congénita poco frecuente que transmite con carácter autosómico dominante. Se caracteriza por presentar una fila accesoria de pestañas a lo largo de la lámina posterio del borde libre del párpado a nivel de los orificios de las glándulas de Meibomio y linfedema que generalmente se presenta en la adolescencia. Caso Clínico. Se reporta el caso de una familia con síndrome de distiquiasis-linfedema en la cual el caso índice presentaba distiquiasis y la madre distiquiasis, linfedema crónico e hipoestesia corneal. Se describen los aspectos genéticos, clínicos y de tratamiento más relevantes de esta enfermedad. Conclusión. Es importante que el médico pediatra y oftalmólogo conozcan el síndrome de distiquiasis-linfedema para poder reconocer a tiempo las alteraciones oftalmológicas y sistémicas asociadas y así evitar sus complicaciones