Neuromotor microalterations in subjects with spasmophilia symptoms: a preliminary study.

Spasmophilia is a relatively unknown condition characterized by perturbations of the neuromuscular system. We hypothesized that spasmophilia may negatively affect neuromotor functions in subtle ways. Three tests including tremor, rapid pointing movements, and alternating movements were quantified in a group of subjects with spasmophilia symptoms (SS) (n = 10) and a healthy control group (n = 10). Most of the characteristics used to evaluate motor functions in these three tests revealed no significant differences between the two groups except for two characteristics in alternating movements and two characteristics in rapid pointing movements. In terms of variances, a dissociation between voluntary movements and involuntary movements was observed for the two groups. Control subjects had significantly higher variances in involuntary movements such as tremor, while subjects with SS had significantly higher variances in voluntary movements such as alternating and rapid pointing movements. A significant increase in asymmetry in hand laterality was also noted for some characteristics in subjects with SS.

Double blind randomized clinical trial examining the efficacy of bupivacaine suprascapular nerve blocks in frozen shoulder.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the pain, contracture, and disability associated with idiopathic frozen shoulder are diminished by a series of 3 indirect bupivacaine suprascapular nerve blocks delivered in an ambulatory care clinic. METHODS: A double blind randomized controlled trial of patients referred by primary care and specialty clinics in Montreal to an ambulatory tertiary care academic facility. Patients and controls underwent a series of 3 indirect suprascapular nerve blocks at 7 day intervals using either 10 c.c. bupivacaine 0.5 (Marcaine) in the treatment group or 10 c.c. of physiological saline in controls. Subjects in both groups were taught a program of shoulder range of motion exercises to be done at home. The primary outcome measure was the McGill-Melzack Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) short form at 1 month post-randomization (2 weeks after last injection). The secondary outcome measures were disability measured by the simple shoulder test and glenohumeral joint contracture measured by shoulder range of motion measurements. RESULTS: Thirty-four subjects were randomized from 58 screened. Average age of subjects was 52 years. Mean duration of pain prior to randomization was one year. Dropout rate was 11% in the treatment group, 30% in the placebo group. A 64% reduction in pain in the treatment group versus 13% in the placebo group was observed at one month as measured by the MPQ multidimensional pain descriptors score (p = 0.03). A nonsignificant 15.8% improvement in shoulder function in the treatment group versus 4% in the placebo group (p = 0.24) was also noted. No improvement in shoulder range of movement was noted. No side effects other than transient vagal symptoms and local tenderness at the injection site were reported. CONCLUSION: The use of bupivacaine suprascapular nerve blocks was effective in reducing the pain of frozen shoulder at one month. Clinical studies with a larger number of subjects and a longer study period will help determine the duration and nature of the effect of bupivacaine suprascapular nerve blocks in treating the pain, disability, and glenohumeral joint contracture of frozen shoulder.

[A simplified terminology for abnormalities of the lumbar disks]. / Une terminologie simplifiée des anomalies des disques lombaires.

The terminology for abnormalities of the lumbar disk has always been a source of confusion. Recent advances in pathological studies have inspired the authors to propose a simple classification of common disk anomalies suitable not only for diagnostic radiologists but also for referring clinicians. Although the diagnosis of a few pathological entities will only be possible with specific imaging techniques, the proposed classification is appropriate for reporting observations from plain films, conventional tomograms, myelograms, discograms, computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance images. All lumbar disks can thus be classified into one or more of the following categories: normal, aging, scarred, ruptured and herniated. A disk herniation is defined as a localized exit of disk material beyond the limits of the original intervertebral space.

A simplified terminology for abnormalities of the lumbar disk.

The terminology for abnormalities of the lumbar disk has always been a source of confusion. Recent advances in pathological studies have inspired the authors to propose a simple classification of common disk anomalies suitable not only for diagnostic radiologists but also for referring clinicians. Although the diagnosis of a few pathological entities will only be possible with specific imaging techniques, the proposed classification is appropriate for reporting observations from plain films, conventional tomograms, myelograms, diskograms, computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance images. All lumbar disks can thus be classified into one or more of the following categories: normal, aging, scarred, ruptured and herniated. A disk herniation is defined as a localized exit of disk material beyond the limits of the original intervertebral space.