Acute corticospinal and spinal modulation after whole body vibration.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate neural effects of acute whole body vibration (WBV) on lower limb muscles regarding corticospinal and spinal excitability. METHODS: In 44 healthy subjects (16 f/ 28 m), motor evoked potentials (MEP) and H-reflexes in m. soleus (SOL) and gastrocnemius medialis (GM) were elicited before (t1), immediately after (t2), 2 (t3), 4 (t4) and 10 min after (t5) WBV. RESULTS: After WBV, MEP amplitudes were significantly increased in SOL (t2+15±30%, t3+22±32%, t4+15±35%, t5+20±30%, P<0.05), but not in GM (t2+32±62%, t3+9±35%, t4+8±36%, t5+22±47%; P=0.07). Contrarily, H-reflexes were significantly reduced in SOL (t2-19±28%, t3-21±22%, t4-20±21%, t5-14±28%, P<0.05) and GM (t2-14±37%, t3-16±25%, t4-18±29%, t5-16±28%, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A temporary sustained enhancement of corticospinal excitability concomitant with spinal inhibition after WBV points towards persisting neural modulation in the central nervous system. This could indicate greater neural modulation over M1 and descending pathways, while the contribution of spinal pathways is reduced.

[Branchiogenic cysts registered at the Otolaryngology Clinic of Medical University in Wroclaw in years 1989-1998]. / Torbiele skrzelopochodne (cystis branchiogenes) w materiale Kliniki Otolaryngologicznej AM we Wroclawiu w latach 1989-1998 r.

Lateral branchiogenic cysts are relatively rare among neck tumours. However they belong to the most frequent developmental malformation in this area. Their etiology and pathogenesis is not fully explained yet. Over the period of ten years there were 76 patients hospitalized in our clinic with the diagnosis of the lateral branchiogenic cyst. Its prevalence was similar in both sexes and ranged from 3 months to 62 years of age. More than half of the patients were children. In 2 cases, a rare primary cancer rising from a branchiogenic cyst was diagnosed. Positive family history was observed in two children. Surgery was performed in 59 patients. Unsatisfactory results of the surgery were noted in 6 cases and 4 of them were reoperated because of the recurrence. In the case of brachiogenic cysts a full oncologic diagnostics should be performed, as it is done with neck tumour management. The procedures, which enable us to estimate character and extent of a lesion and determine the proper surgical treatment, should include ultrasonography, fine-needle biopsy or CT.