Epidemiological characteristics of surgically treated civilian traumatic brachial plexus injuries in Serbia.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brachial plexus injuries are generally severe, and in many cases associated with surrounding tissue injuries, which makes them hard to diagnose at the right time. This paper presents etiological and epidemiological characteristics of surgically treated civilian traumatic brachial plexus injuries. METHODS: This retrospective study included 68 patients, operated due to the traumatic brachial plexus injuries at Clinic for Neurosurgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, during the 11-year period. RESULTS: The vast majority of injured patients were men in full working maturity. In our study, there were seven different etiological factors. The road traffic accidents were the most common-41 (60.3%), while the motorcycle accidents were the most dominant subtype (53.7%) of all road traffic accidents, and also representing 32.4% of all causes of trauma. Supraclavicular elements of the brachial plexus were injured in more than 80% of patients. A total of 49 (72.1%) patients from our study had one or more associated injuries. The most common associated injuries were bone fractures, brain contusions, and vascular injuries. CONCLUSION: Although rare, non-war-related severe brachial plexus injuries represent a group of patients carrying high risk of insufficient functional recovery regardless of treatment modality, or surgical technique. Epidemiological and etiological data are therefore very important to identify the groups in risk and to induce preventive actions aimed at these patients.

Craniovertebral anomalies associated with pituitary gland duplication.

BACKGROUND: An extremely rare occurrence of the pituitary gland duplication inspired us to examine in detail the accompanying craniovertebral congenital anomalies in a patient involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T1-wighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, as well as the multislice computerised tomography (MSCT) and MSCT angiography in our patient, as well as in a control group of 10 healthy subjects. RESULTS: In a 20-year-old male a double pituitary gland was identified, as well as hypothalamic enlargement, tuberomamillary fusion and hamartoma. In addition, the patient also showed a duplicated hypophyseal fossa and posterior clinoid processes, notch of the upper sphenoid, prominent inner relief of the skull, inverse shape of the foramen magnum, third occipital condyle, partial aplasia of the anterior and posterior arches of the atlas with a left arcuate foramen, duplication of the odontoid process and the C2 body, and fusion of the C2-C4 and T12-L1 vertebrae. The MSCT angiography presented a segmental dilatation of both vertebral arteries and the A2 segment of the anterior cerebral artery, as well as a duplication of the basilar artery. CONCLUSIONS: This patient is unique due to complex craniovertebral congenital anomalies associated with a duplication of the pituitary gland.

Seasonal variation in month of diagnosis in children with type 1 diabetes registered in 23 European centers during 1989-2008: little short-term influence of sunshine hours or average temperature.

BACKGROUND: The month of diagnosis in childhood type 1 diabetes shows seasonal variation. OBJECTIVE: We describe the pattern and investigate if year-to-year irregularities are associated with meteorological factors using data from 50 000 children diagnosed under the age of 15 yr in 23 population-based European registries during 1989-2008. METHODS: Tests for seasonal variation in monthly counts aggregated over the 20 yr period were performed. Time series regression was used to investigate if sunshine hour and average temperature data were predictive of the 240 monthly diagnosis counts after taking account of seasonality and long term trends. RESULTS: Significant sinusoidal pattern was evident in all but two small centers with peaks in November to February and relative amplitudes ranging from ± 11 to ± 38% (median ± 17%). However, most centers showed significant departures from a sinusoidal pattern. Pooling results over centers, there was significant seasonal variation in each age-group at diagnosis, with least seasonal variation in those under 5 yr. Boys showed greater seasonal variation than girls, particularly those aged 10-14 yr. There were no differences in seasonal pattern between four 5-yr sub-periods. Departures from the sinusoidal trend in monthly diagnoses in the period were significantly associated with deviations from the norm in average temperature (0.8% reduction in diagnoses per 1 °C excess) but not with sunshine hours. CONCLUSIONS: Seasonality was consistently apparent throughout the period in all age-groups and both sexes, but girls and the under 5 s showed less marked variation. Neither sunshine hour nor average temperature data contributed in any substantial way to explaining departures from the sinusoidal pattern.

Trends in childhood type 1 diabetes incidence in Europe during 1989-2008: evidence of non-uniformity over time in rates of increase.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of the study was to describe 20-year incidence trends for childhood type 1 diabetes in 23 EURODIAB centres and compare rates of increase in the first (1989-1998) and second (1999-2008) halves of the period. METHODS: All registers operate in geographically defined regions and are based on a clinical diagnosis. Completeness of registration is assessed by capture-recapture methodology. Twenty-three centres in 19 countries registered 49,969 new cases of type 1 diabetes in individuals diagnosed before their 15th birthday during the period studied. RESULTS: Ascertainment exceeded 90% in most registers. During the 20-year period, all but one register showed statistically significant changes in incidence, with rates universally increasing. When estimated separately for the first and second halves of the period, the median rates of increase were similar: 3.4% per annum and 3.3% per annum, respectively. However, rates of increase differed significantly between the first half and the second half for nine of the 21 registers with adequate coverage of both periods; five registers showed significantly higher rates of increase in the first half, and four significantly higher rates in the second half. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The incidence rate of childhood type 1 diabetes continues to rise across Europe by an average of approximately 3-4% per annum, but the increase is not necessarily uniform, showing periods of less rapid and more rapid increase in incidence in some registers. This pattern of change suggests that important risk exposures differ over time in different European countries. Further time trend analysis and comparison of the patterns in defined regions is warranted.

[Surgical treatment of degenerative cervical spine diseases: analyses of 90 patients clinical study]. / Hirursko lecenje degenerativnih oboljenja cervikalne kicme: analiza klinicke serije od 90 pacijenata.

The effect of degenerative cervical spine surgery depends on good understanding of the pathogenesis and clinical course of disease with a detailed neurological and neuroradiological examination. Surgical approach should be considered separately for each pathological substrate in order to avoid additional morbidity. The aim of our study is to present the results of treatment through analysis of large clinical series focusing on anterior surgical approach with iliac crest graft fusion without cervical plating. The retrospective analysis of 90 patients operated on Neurosurgery of CHC Zemun, from 2008 to 2011, was done. In 81 patients cervical disc herniation was found in one or two levels, and 9 patients had spinal canal stenosis with polydiscopathy. Preoperatively 50 patients had cervical myelopathy, and 40 patients had radiculopathy as dominating clinical sign. Anterior cervical approach was performed in 79 patients, and 11 patients were operated by posterior approach. The treatment outcome was as follows: good outcome 16 (16.8%) patients, improved condition 65 (72.2%), without improvement 6 (6.7%), bad outcome 3 (4.3%). The anterior cervical approach with iliac crest autologous graft fusion, and without additional cervical plating, is reliable treatment option with results comparable to reported clinical series with sintetic graft placement and anterior cervical plate stabilisation.

Perceptions of team workers in youth care of what makes teamwork effective.

In youth care, little is known about what makes teamwork effective. What is known mostly reflects the view of managers in care organisations, as objective outcome measures are lacking. The objective of this article was to explore the views of youth care workers in different types of teams on the relative importance of characteristics of teamwork for its effectiveness. Q methodology was used. Fifty-one respondents rank-order 34 opinion statements regarding characteristics of teamwork. Individual Q sorts were analysed using by-person factor analysis. The resulting factors, which represented team workers' views of what is important for effective teamwork, were interpreted and described using composite rankings of the statements for each factor and corresponding team workers' explanations. We found three views of what makes teamwork effective. One view emphasised interaction between team members as most important for team effectiveness. A second view pointed to team characteristics that help sustain communication within teams as being most important. In the third view, the team characteristics that facilitate individuals to perform as a team member were put forward as most important for teamwork to be effective. In conclusion, different views exist on what makes a team effective in youth care. These views correspond with the different types of teams active in youth care as well as in other social care settings.

Endovascular treatment of distal cerebral aneurysms.

Distal cerebral aneurysms are difficult to treat. Endovascular treatment (EVT) although challenging, in many cases allows sparing of the parent artery. If a deconstructive approach is necessary, EVT enables hyperselective catheterization with sacrificing only the branch on which aneurysm is located. Consequently much of the surrounding arterial circulation is spared. We describe our series of endovascularly treated distal cerebral aneurysms in 2009. This is a retrospective review of seven consecutive patients (five women) with eight distal cerebral aneurysms (four ruptured) who underwent embolization in 2009. Patient ages ranged from 44 to 69 years. Aneurysm size distribution was: seven small (0-10 mm) and one large (11-24 mm). Two aneurysms required a deconstructive approach. Embolization was performed with coils in six cases, and with liquid embolic material Onyx in two cases. Endovascular treatment was successful in all cases. Immediate angiograms revealed complete occlusion in six aneurysms, none with neck remnants, and incomplete occlusion in two aneurysms. On first follow-up (3-6 month) obtained in six patients, five aneurysms showed stabile occlusion, and one recanalization due to coil impaction. None of the patients died. One patient had neurological deficit GOS (Glasgow Outcome Scale) score three caused by parent artery occlusion, which gradually improved to GOS score 4. EVT is safe and effective technique for distal cerebral aneurysms.

[Current trends in surgical treatment of radial nerve injuries associated with injuries of the humerus].

Radial nerve is the most common injured peripheral nerve after bone and wrist injuries in human body. Radial nerve can be injured by force causing fracture of the humeral shaft, due to compound fracture of the bone or by direct injury with small fragments of the bone. This happen in of cases and in remaining caseswas caused by manipulation during the treatment of the fracture of the humeral shaft. Because of the possibility of spontaneous recovery, indication and timing of surgical treatment of the radial nerve still remain controversial. There is contradictory approach in the treatment of the injured radial nerve. In a period betwen 1979 and 2005 year we have operated 193 patients with injury of radial nerve. Among them, 97 (50.2%) have had combined injury of the humeral shaft or proximal part of radius. Rest of injuries of the radial nerve were associated with manipulation during treatment. Surgical treatment has been performed in a period between three and four months after neurological deficit. Analysing our result regarding recovery of the motor function we have used combination of gradation including British Medical Council Score and modified Highet Scale to obtain satisfactory analysis of useful functional recovery of motor function after surgical procedure. We have classified results as bad M O-2 for all muscles innervated by the radial nerve; satisfactory M3, for extensors of the wrist and fingers and M O-2 for abductor of the thumb, good M 4-5 extensors of the wrist and fingers and M3 for abductor of the thumb, and excellent M 4-5 for all muscles.

[Carpal tunnel syndrome--surgical and anesthesiology considerations].

Carpal tunnel syndrome presents the most common peripheral nerve entrapment, and section of carpal transverse ligament is the most common procedure in peripheral nerve surgery. Favourable outcomes depend on several factors including correct diagnosis, careful patient selection, precise operative technique and appropriate postoperative care. The goal of this paper is to establish the most common causes of failed surgery analysing primary and secondary outcomes, and to give the possibility for better results in the future. Analysis was based on 250 operated patients. Primary outcome and secondary outcome 3 months after surgery was estimated. Total rate of complications was 8% with persistent complaints in 7 (35%) patients and recurrent symptoms in 13 (65%) patients.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the oculomotor nerve.

We present the short-term follow-up magnetic resonance (MR) studies and 1H-MR spectroscopy in a child with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the oculomotor nerve associated with other less aggressive cranial nerve schwannomas. The tumor revealed perineural extension and diffuse nerve involvement besides rapid growth. 1H-MR spectroscopy was helpful in excluding an intra-axial neoplasm with exophytic growth, mainly due to the absence of creatine and N-acetyl aspartate peaks, and markedly elevated choline peak.

The use of thoracodorsal nerve transfer in restoration of irreparable C5 and C6 spinal nerve lesions.

There are only a few reports on the use of thoracodorsal nerve (TDN) transfer to the musculocutaneous or axillary nerves in cases of directly irreparable brachial plexus injuries. In this study, we analysed outcome and time-course of recovery in correlation with recipient nerves and type of nerve transfer (isolated or in combination with other collateral branches) for 27 patients with transfer to the musculocutaneous or axillary nerves. Using this nerve as donor, we obtained useful functional recovery in all 12 cases for the musculocutaneous nerve, and in 14 (93.3%) of 15 nerve transfers for the axillary nerve. Although, we found no significant statistical difference between analysed patients according to the percentage of recoveries and mean values, we established a better quality and shorter time of recovery for the musculocutaneous nerve. According to obtained results, we consider that transfer may be a valuable method in reconstruction after directly irreparable C5 and C6 spinal nerve lesions.

[Avulsion of the peripheral nerve of the trigeminal nerve]. / Avulzije zavrsnih grana trigeminalnog nerva.

There are variety of surgical methods in treating trigeminal neuralgia. They can all be devided in two large groups: less invasive procedures and decopmressive procedures in the region of pontocerebelar angle. Peripheral neurectomy, exeresis or avulsion of peripheral branches of trigeminal nerv are methods for elderly patients with serious cardiopulmonal disturbances. We performed avulsion of peripheral branches at 58 patients, all older than 60 years. In 32 patients we did avulsion of only one of three branches of trigeminal nerv, while in 26 patients the combined avulsion of two branches was performed. There were no postoperative complications.

[Cordotomy in the treatment of pain conditions]. / Hordotomija u lecenju bolnih stanja.

During the time interval from January 1978 to January 2003, total of 128 chordotomy procedures have been done due to cancer's pain at the Institute of neurosurgery in Clinical Centre of Serbia. That pain has been mostly of uncontrolled intensity and it was resistant on applieed conservative treatment. Bilateral chordotomy has been performed in 6 patients only in exceptional cases when fixed paraplegia has proved; unilateral chordotomy has been performed in 122 cases. Bilateral chordotomy is much more dangerous than unilateral one because of greater posibility of appearance of motor deficits, sphincteral disturbances or subsequent formed pain. This procedure has several negative aspects. Firstly, it is an opened surgical intervention in general anesthesia and therefore, there is no communication with patient. We had a habit to perform DREZ surgery rather than chordotomy when ever it has been indicated. In 80.1% of all cases, the successfulness of surgery has been marked as excellent, in 15.2% of all cases, it has been marked as good, and in 4.7% of all cases, bad outcome has been detected. The rate of complication was 4.4%.

[Microsurgical treatment of peripheral nerve injuries--analysis of 25 years' experience]. / Mikrohirursko lecenje povreda perifernih nerava--analiza dvadesetpetogodsnjeg iskustva.

Microsurgical procedures on injured peripheral nerves have been performed in Institute of neurosurgery in Belgrade for twenty-five years. During this period 1284 procedures, including 1029 on peripheral nerves, and 255 on brachial plexus were done. In this paper we analyze surgical results of individual procedures and the other factors influencing the outcome. Despite advances caused by introduction of the operating microscope, there are numerous controversies mainly in microsurgical technique that are discussed.

[Nerve transfer in brachial plexus injuries--comparative analysis of surgical procedures]. / Nervni transfer kod povreda brahijalnog pleksusa--komparativna analiza hirurskih procedura.

Nerve transfer is the only possibility for nerve repair in cases of the brachial plexus traction injuries with spinal roots avulsion. From 1980. until 2000. in Institute of Neurosurgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, nerve transfer has been performed in 127(79%) of 159 patients with traction injuries of brachial plexus, i.e., 204 reinnervation procedures has been performed using different donor nerves. We achieved good or satisfactory arm abduction and full range or satisfactory elbow flexion through reinnervation of the axillary and musculocutaneous nerve using different donor nerves in 143 of 204 reinnervations, which presents general rate of useful functional recovery in 70.1% of cases. Mean values of the rate of useful functional recovery in individual modalities of nerve transfer in our series are 50.1% for intercostal and/or spinal accessory nerve transfer, 64.5% for plexo-plexal nerve transfer, 81.7% for regional nerve transfer, and 87.1% for combine nerve transfer.

[Transplantation in peripheral nerve injuries]. / Transplantacija kod povreda perifernih nerava.

Autologous nerve grafting is the most commocommnlynly used operative technique in delayed primary, or secondary nerve repair after the peripheral nerve injuries. The aim of this procedure is to overcome nerve gaps that results from the injury itself, fibrous and elastic retraction forces, resection of the damaged parts of the nerve, position of the articulations and mobilisation of the nerve. In this study we analyse the results of operated patients with transections and lacerations of the peripheral nerves from 1979 to 2000 year. Gunshot injuries have not been analyzed in this study. The majority of the injuries were in the upper extremity (more than 87% of cases). Donor for nerve transplantation had usually been sural nerve, and only occasionally medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm was used. In about 93% of cases we used interfascicular nerve grafting, and cable nerve grafting was performed in the rest of them. Most of the grafts were 1 do 5 cm long (70% of cases). Functional recovery was achieved in more than 86% of cases, which is similar to the results of the other authors. Follow up period was minimum 2 years. We analyzed the influence of different factors on nerve recovery after the operation: patient's age, location and the extent (total or partial) of nerve injury, the length of the nerve graft, type of the nerve, timing of surgery, presence of multiple nerve injuries and associated osseal and soft tissue injuries of the upper and lower extremities.

[Functional reconstruction of the extremities in cases with definitive peripheral nerve lesions]. / Funkcionalna rekonstrukcija ekstremiteta u slucajevima definitivnih lezija perifernih nerava.

Deficit if the functional integrity of the limbs as a consequence of the definitive lesions of the peripheral nerves necessitates surgical treatment aimed at regaining of the optimal mobility and strength of the parts of the limbs or whole limbs. Our study was aimed at presenting our experience in functional reconstruction of the extremities, evaluation of significance of primary and delayed microsurgical reconstruction of the injured nerves with respect to further course of treatment and presenting innovative modifications of certain surgical techniques. The total of 101 surgical procedures were performed in 91 patients, out of which 76 were at the level of the shoulder, elbow and hand and 29 were on the feet. Depending on the local findings, the following techniques were applied: transposition of the muscles and tendons, transfer of the free microneurovascular muscle flaps and surgical fusion of the joints. Functional improvement was achieved in 98.7% of the cases. Increased range of movements and strength depended on the applied technique and preoperative findings. Primary and delayed microsurgical reconstruction of nerves increases the probability for choice of adequate surgical techniques. Muscle and tendon transfers are the methods of choice in most of the patients. Free microneurovascular muscle flaps are applied in the most complicated cases.

[Reconstructive surgery of facial nerve injuries]. / Rekonstruktivna hirurgija povreda facijalisa.

The facial nerve is main motor nerve of the face and its injury leads to total ipsilateral paralysis. There are several surgical procedures in reconstruction of the facial nerve, and the most frequent one is hypoglosso-facial anastomosis. In this study were analysed a series of 69 patients operated on Institute of neurosurgery from 1981 to 2000 year. The most frequent cause of injury was the operation of cerebellopontine angle tumors, as well as the skull base fractures. Hypoglosso-facial anastomosis was done in 57 patients, in 5 cases we performed nerve grafting in the cerebellopontine angle, and in 7 patients the facial nerve was operated peripherally. Results were analyzed in 27 of 57 patients with hipoglosso-facial nerve anastomosis. Functional recovery was achived in 22 (81.4%) patients.

Restoration of upper arm function in traction injuries to the brachial plexus.

BACKGROUND: Restoration of upper arm function presents the main priority in nerve repair of brachial plexus traction injuries. The results are predominantly influenced by the level and extent of injury, and the type of surgical procedure. The purpose of this study is to evaluate influence of these factors on final outcome. METHODS: Study included 91 surgically treated patients, including 71 patients with avulsions of one or more spinal nerve roots and 20 with peripheral traction injuries. We performed 120 nerve transfers, 25 nerve graftings and 29 neurolyses on different nerve elements depending on the type of nerve damage. Analysis of motor recovery for elbow flexion and arm abduction, isolated or in combination, was done. FINDINGS: Recovery of elbow flexion was obtained in 75% nerve transfers, and in 68,7% nerve graftings in peripheral traction injuries. Recovery of arm abduction was obtained in 78,5% nerve transfers, and in 44,4% nerve graftings in peripheral traction injuries. Neurolysis was successful in all cases. Generally, the quality of recovery was better for the musculocutaneous nerve. Useful global upper arm function was obtained in 49,3% of patients with avulsion of spinal nerve roots, and in 55% of patients with peripheral traction injuries. INTERPRETATION: Regarding upper arm function the prognosis of surgically treated patients with traction injuries to the brachial plexus is generally similar in cases with central or peripheral level of injury. However, nerve transfers of collateral branches seem to be superior to nerve grafting and may be another possibility for repair in cases with extensive nerve gaps.

Results of nerve transfers to the musculocutaneous and axillary nerves.

OBJECTIVE: Nerve transfers in cases of brachial plexus traction injuries with avulsion of spinal nerve roots or irreparable proximal lesions of spinal nerves have been attempted using a variety of donor nerves. The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of nerve transfers to the musculocutaneous and axillary nerves, using collateral branches of the brachial plexus, upper intercostal nerves, or the accessory nerve. METHODS: This study included 62 patients with brachial plexus traction injuries who were surgically treated using various nerve transfer techniques. The follow-up periods were at least 3 years. Analysis of motor recovery was performed according to the type of donor nerve, the age of the patient, and the timing of surgery. RESULTS: The rates of recovery for the musculocutaneous and axillary nerves were 50% and 63.2% with intercostal nerve transfers, 65% and 75% with accessory nerve transfers, and 90.4% and 86.9% with nerve transfers of collateral branches, respectively. Despite the obviously better outcomes with the latter technique, a significant difference was found only in comparison with intercostal nerve transfers for the musculocutaneous nerve (P = 0.007). With respect to the quality of recovery, we found a significant difference between the latter type and the other two types of nerve transfers only for the musculocutaneous nerve (P = 0.027 for intercostal nerve transfers and P = 0.05 for accessory nerve transfers). There was no significant difference in results obtained using the thoracodorsal and medial pectoral nerves as donors. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that nerve transfer of collateral branches when possible, such as in cases involving upper brachial plexus palsy, may be the method of choice, yielding better results.