Delayed femoral nerve palsy following femoral vessel catheterization.

We report two cases with a delayed complication of femoral vessel catheterization: femoral nerve entrapment by iliacus hematoma. Both patients had femoral artery catheterization and postoprocedural anticoagulation, followed by iliacus hematoma eruption on the side of catheterization. Diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography and electrodiagnostic studies. The pathogenesis of iliacus hematoma-induced femoral neuropathy has been studied in detail; however, the authors could find no previous reports of catheterization causing this phenomenon. The association is probably under reported because of the delayed manifestation. Awareness of this complication could (1) minimize the neuropathy, by insuring early diagnosis and treatment and (2) reduce its incidence, by avoiding trauma to the iliacus muscle during catheterization.

Musculoskeletal Complications of CancerA Survey of 50 Patients.

A variety of complications associated with cancer may adversely affect the spine and musculoskeletal system, resulting in physical impairment, pain, or both. Dysfunction may arise because of tissue injury at the primary site of disease; from metastatic lesions and paraneoplastic syndromes; or as the result of treatment and bed rest. This study evaluated 50 patients seen in consultation by the Rehabilitation Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (28 retrospective, 22 prospective). Patients were evaluated for functional problems resulting from their disease or therapy. Patients were noted to have an average of 1.74 physical impairments. Thirteen (26%) patients had only one identifiable problem adversely affecting function. Fifty-four percent of patients were found to have two physical impairments. Ten patients (20%) had three or more such abnormalities. The mean Karnofsky score, a measure commonly used in assessing cancer patient function, at initial evaluation was 46.6 (standard deviation (SD) 12.05). The most frequently encountered problem limiting function was deconditioning (56%); 36% of patients had central nervous system dysfunction; 28% had peripheral neurologic disease; 22% of patients were found to have bone metastasis. Additionally, pain was present in 44% of all patients. These results suggest that it is common for cancer patients who are referred for physiatric evaluation to have more than one functional problem, and that deconditioning, neurological, and skeletal abnormalities are common causes of impairment in cancer patients.Cancer is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States.1 It is a disease process which is inherently destructive, both at the primary site as well as areas to which it may spread. Additionally, remote effects of cancer, such as paraneoplastic syndromes, may result in further compromise of the patient. Antineoplastic therapies such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery are also potentially injurious to native tissues and organ systems. The deleterious effects of these direct and indirect consequences of cancer, whether affecting the musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiovascular, or pulmonary systems, may result in functional impairment and disability. Therefore, it is not surprising to find a high prevalence of disabilities among cancer patients.2,3Significant functional impairment has been noted by previous authors.2,3 A variety of organ systems may be either primarily or secondarily involved, including the spine and musculoskeletal systems. These authors have demonstrated a high prevalence of functional deficits in cancer patients. Additionally, they noted that the majority of cancer patients with disabilities can be successfully treated by physical medicine intervention. The principal impediments preventing patients from obtaining optimal rehabilitation, as determined by these authors were: primary care physicians' inability to recognize functional impairment; and a lack of understanding by these same physicians in rehabilitation principles.2The scope of musculoskeletal and neurological impairments, as well as the number of functionally compromising problems faced by the individual patient is less well known. The object of this survey was to evaluate a series of cancer patients, seen in consultation by a rehabilitation medicine service, for musculoskeletal, neurologic, and other relevant impairments.

Physiatric evaluation of the cancer patient.

As time goes on, so do the advancements in medical treatment. Today we are faced with a population of cancer patients living longer and developing unique problems as a consequence of both treatment and progression of disease. The physiatrist is in a unique position to enhance independence and quality of life of cancer patients. Often this is simply a matter of applying well-established physiatric principles to a unique population. However, few physiatrists in clinical practice have the opportunity to treat large numbers of cancer patients, especially in an acute care setting. Experience is key for optimal physiatric management of the cancer patient. The purpose of this article is to familiarize physicians and therapists with evaluation and subsequent application of rehabilitation principles to cancer patients. It is beyond the scope of this manuscript to discuss all the specifics of the cancer patient's rehabilitation; however, references are available.1-4Functional deficits in the cancer patient can arise from disease progression as well as its treatment. The scope of complications include: osseous disease, myelosuppression, multiple manifestations of neurological deficit, deconditioning, pain syndromes, lymphedema, gait abnormalities, amputation, cardiopulmonary complications, psychiatric issues, and others. A survey of 50 rehabilitation consultations seen over a 6-month period reveals the diversity of problems (see Table 1). Although a small sample, it correlates with our experience. Of note, many patients had more than one disability, as illustrated in Table 2.

Anesthetic effects on liver and muscle glycogen concentrations: rest and postexercise.

We compared the effects of three different anesthetics (halothane, ketamine-xylazine, and diethyl ether) on arterial blood gases, acid-base status, and tissue glycogen concentrations in rats subjected to 20 min of rest or treadmill exercise (10% grade, 28 m/min). Results demonstrated that exercise produced significant increases in arterial lactate concentrations along with reductions in arterial Pco2 (PaCO2) and bicarbonate concentrations in all rats compared with resting values. Furthermore, exercise produced significant reductions in the glycogen concentrations in the liver and soleus and plantaris muscles, whereas the glycogen concentrations found in the diaphragm and white gastrocnemius muscles were similar to those found at rest. Rats that received halothane and ketamine-xylazine anesthesia demonstrated an increase in Paco2 and a respiratory acidosis compared with rats that received either anesthesia. These differences in arterial blood gases and acid-base status did not appear to have any effect on tissue glycogen concentrations, because the glycogen contents found in liver and different skeletal muscles were similar to one another cross all three anesthetic groups. These data suggest that even though halothane and ketamine-xylazine anesthesia will produce a significant amount of ventilatory depression in the rat, both anesthetics may be used in studies where changes in tissue glycogen concentrations are being measured and where adequate general anesthesia is required.