Relationship between Clinical Severity and Cross-sectional Area of Ultrasonographic Examinations in Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow.

Objectives: This study explored the relationship between clinical severity of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE) and ulnar nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) by ultrasound examination to identify appropriate measurement sites for UNE diagnosis and evaluation. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we examined the arms of 37 patients diagnosed with UNE and those of 34 individuals as controls. The ulnar nerve CSAs were measured at 2 cm distal to the tip of the medial epicondyle (dME), the tip of the medial epicondyle (ME), 2 cm proximal to the tip of the medial epicondyle (pME), and any site showing the maximum CSA between the dME and pME (largest dpME). The modified McGowan classification (grades I, IIA, IIB, and III) was used to rate the clinical severity of UNE. Results: For all sites, the CSAs were significantly correlated with clinical severity. The sites showing the maximum CSA were inconsistent between controls and grade IIA patients. Grade IIB patients showed the largest CSA at the ME in the majority of patients. In grade III patients, maximum CSA occurred only at the ME. Conclusions: Serial assessment to detect nerve enlargement at multiple sites was beneficial for mild UNE patients with weakness of the ulnar distal muscles with Medical Research Council (MRC) score of 4 or higher (grade IIA). For severe UNE patients with weakness of the ulnar distal muscles classified as MRC3 or less (grades IIB, III), the most efficient method for detecting enlarged nerves was to initially measure the CSA at the ME.

Two Cases of Doppler Sonography for Intraneural Vascularity of Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow: Before and After Surgery.

The finding of an intraneural blood flow (IBF) signal on Doppler sonography (DS) in non-surgical cases is interpreted in several ways and usually represents a pathologic condition with entrapment neuropathy. There have been no reports of the IBF signal on DS after surgery for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). IBF was investigated before and after surgery in two cases diagnosed with UNE before surgery and confirmed after surgery. Both underwent electrodiagnostic (EDX) studies, grey scale sonography (GS), and DS before and after surgery and were diagnosed as having UNE by EDX study and GS. On DS, an IBF signal was not detected in both cases before surgery. After surgery, both cases improved their clinical and EDX findings, and an IBF signal and pulsatility were detected on DS. With respect to vascular problems, recovering venous and arterial blood supplies and dilated vessels would show much more blood flow during recovery of the affected ulnar nerve site following decompression surgery. The IBF signal would not always implicate pathology. When assessing recovery from UNE after surgery, it may be useful to evaluate intraneural vascularity at the affected site with DS.

The Efficacy of Ultrasound-guided Selective Botulinum Toxin Type A Therapy for Finger Spasticity Following Stroke: A Case Report.

A 64-year-old man had spasticity of digits 3 and 4 of the right hand for 22 years following a stroke. Activities of daily living (ADL) were impaired due to the disuse of the right arm. The flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus muscles of digits 3 and 4 of the patient's right forearm were identified using ultrasound guidance, and botulinum toxin type A was selectively injected into those sites. Furthermore, following the injections, occupational therapy was performed for the right arm and fingers, and spasticity was assessed after 2 weeks and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 months. The patient showed improvement in all the evaluations (the Modified Ashworth Scale, Disability Assessment Scale, functional independence measure, active range of motion angle, and movement of holding a cup), and function was maintained throughout the evaluation period. Performing botulinum toxin type A injection under ultrasound guidance to selectively identify the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus muscles involved in finger spasticity helped restore finger functioning and improve ADL.

Sudden Tachycardia Due to Submucosal Migration of an Epinephrine-Soaked Swab During Nasal Intubation.

A 23-year-old healthy man was scheduled for extraction of his mandibular third molars under general anesthesia with nasotracheal intubation. Sudden sinus tachycardia up to 170 beats/min occurred when applying an epinephrine solution-soaked swab into the nasal cavity for preventing epistaxis during intubation. This was presumably evoked by submucosal migration of the swab into a false passage created because of the force applied during a prior failed attempt at nasal passage of the tracheal tube, and rapid epinephrine absorption by the traumatized mucosa. The causes of the unexpected severe tachycardia in our patient are discussed.

What is the most sensitive test for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome?

OBJECTIVE: To compare sensitivities between 7 principal nerve conduction studies (NCS) for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHOD: In 104 CTS and 64 control hands, following "Standard" NCSs were examined simultaneously: (1) Median sensory NCS; (2) segmental wrist-palm sensory NCS; (3) 4th digit latency difference; (4) 1st digit latency difference and (5) palmar mixed nerve latency difference. As "Guideline" and "Option" NCSs, we also examined: (6) Median motor distal latency and (7) second lumbrical-interossei latency difference (2LILD). Forty-nine CTS hands were divided into a milder subgroup only if action potentials could be recorded using all tests applied; that is, those with any absent potentials were excluded from the subgroup. Sensitivities and specificities were compared to each other. RESULTS: In all CTS hands, the sensitivity of test (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7) was 83, 87, 92, 90, 90, 70 and 92%, respectively. In the milder subgroup, it was 67, 78, 84, 82, 84, 43, and 84% in the same order. There was no statistical difference between Standard tests and 2LILD. Specificities of all tests were over 95%. CONCLUSIONS: All "Standard" tests and 2LILD have high comparable sensitivities. Therefore, 2LILD should be recommended as "Standard" NCS detecting CTS.

Clinical and hemodynamic factors associated with the outcome of early extubation attempts after right heart bypass surgery.

Fast-track anesthesia with early extubation (EE) is playing an increasingly important role in pediatric cardiac surgery. We examined the pre- and intra-operative factors contributing to successful EE, and outcomes after right heart bypass surgery (RHB). We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 71 consecutive children (median age=14 months) admitted over a 4-year period to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) of our university-based hospital, after RHB. We compared the characteristics and outcomes of 38 children (54%) extubated <3 h, with those of 33 (46%) extubated >or=3 h after surgery. Odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Variables associated with EE included a lower dose of intra-operative fentanyl (OR: 0.95; 95% CI, 0.92-0.99; P=0.03), nitroglycerin (OR: 0.23; 95% CI, 0.07-0.73; P=0.01), and a lower inotropic score (OR: 0.76; 95% CI, 0.61-0.94; P=0.01) on admission. EE was correlated with fewer postoperative respiratory complications (OR: 0.09; 95% CI, 0.02-0.57; P=0.01) and shorter stay in the PICU (OR: 0.88; 95% CI, 0.76-1.03; P=0.12). Our data suggest that EE after RHB could be facilitated in patients with a preserved cardiac function and lower pulmonary vascular resistance. EE could be followed by fewer postoperative pulmonary complications.

[Efficacy and complications of fentanyl intravenous infusions in postoperative pediatric patients].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and the incidence of complication in pediatric patients for laparotomy receiving continuous fentanyl infusion for postoperative pain. METHODS: We treated 21 children, including 9 male and 12 female, aged 1-4 years old with the median age 2.0 +/- 1.0 years. They received postoperative intravenous fentanyl infusion 1 microg +/- kg(-1) x hr(-1) for about 50 hrs. We assessed the level of pain by Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario pain scale (CHEOPS), and evaluated the additional medication of analgetics and the adverse events such as vomiting, the decrease of respiratory rate or Sp(O2) depression defined as the need for supplemental oxygen to maintain Sp(O2) > 95% and sedation by visiting the patients twice par day. RESULTS: Adequate analgesia occurred in over 90% of patients with the average CHEOPS score of 6.4 +/- 0.2 points. The incidences of vomiting and deep sedation were 14.3% and 19.0%, respectively, but there was no incidence of desaturations and decrease of respiratory rate, and we have no need to ensure emergency airway patency. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous fentanyl infusion for postoperative pain in pediatric patients after laparotomy is an effective and safe procedure with a few complications.

[Intrathecal segmental analgesia with a single dose of bupivacaine for cancer pain in the abdominal wall].

A 48-year-old woman, diagnosed as colon cancer with metastases in the liver, lung, bone and left rectus abdominis, developed refractory left abdominal pain in spite of escalating administration of opioids and nerve block therapy, and intrathecal analgesia was applied. The tip of the catheter was intrathecally placed at the level of the T8 vertebra and pain relief was obtained with a daily dose of bupivacaine 36 mg producing segmental analgesia of the area between the 7th and 10th thoracic segments and preserving sensory and motor functions of the lower limbs. Face scale scores decreased from 5/6 to almost 0 after induction of the intrathecal analgesia. Side effects related to systemic opioids, such as nausea, vomiting and sleepiness, significantly improved and she was able to walk to the toilet. It is suggested that when the site of pain is limited to the truncus, intrathecal analgesia only with local anesthetics can be applied without affecting functions of the lower limbs.