Laser therapy and needling in myofascial trigger point deactivation.

The aim of this study was to evaluate different approaches to deactivating myofascial trigger points (MTPs). Twenty-one women with bilateral MTPs in the masseter muscle were randomly divided into three groups: laser therapy, needle treatment and control. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated after four sessions with intervals ranging between 48 and 72 h. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used to measure pain perception/sensation. The Wilcoxon test based on results expressed on a visual analog scale (VAS) demonstrated a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in pain only in the laser and needle treatments groups, although a significant increase in the pressure pain threshold was evident only for needling with anesthetic injection (P = 0.0469), and laser therapy at a dose of 4 J/cm² (P = 0.0156). Based on these results, it was concluded that four sessions of needling with 2% lidocaine injection with intervals between 48 and 72 h without a vasoconstrictor, or laser therapy at a dose of 4 J/cm², are effective for deactivation of MTPs.

Métodos de procesamiento y análisis de señales electromiográficas / Electromyographic signal processing and analysis methods

La electromiografía clínica es una metodología de registro y análisis de la actividad bioeléctrica del músculo esquelético orientada al diagnóstico de las enfermedades neuromusculares. Las posibilidades de aplicación y el rendimiento diagnóstico de la electromiografía han evolucionado paralelamente al conocimiento de las propiedades de la energía eléctrica y al desarrollo de la tecnología eléctrica y electrónica. A mediados del siglo XX se introdujo el primer equipo comercial de electromiografía para uso médico basado en circuitos electrónicos analógicos. El desarrollo posterior de la tecnología digital ha permitido disponer de sistemas controlados por microprocesadores cada vez más fiables y potentes para captar, representar, almacenar, analizar y clasificar las señales mioeléctricas. Es esperable que el avance de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y la comunicación pueda conducir en un futuro próximo a la aplicación de desarrollos de inteligencia artificial que faciliten la clasificación automática de señales así como sistemas expertos de apoyo al diagnóstico electromiográfico (AU)

Clinical electromyography is a methodology for recording and analysing the bioelectrical activity of the skeletal muscle tissue in order to diagnose neuromuscular pathology. The possibilities of application and the diagnostic performance of electromyography have evolved parallel to a growing understanding of the properties of electricity and the development of electrical and electronic technology. The first commercially available electromyography equipment for medical use was introduced in the middle of the 20th century. It was based on analog electronic circuits. The subsequent development of digital technology made available more powerful and accurate systems, controlled by microprocessors, for recording, displaying, storing, analysing, and classifying the myoelectric signals. In the near future, it is likely that advances in the new information and communication technologies could result in the application of artificial intelligence systems to the automatic classification of signals as well as expert systems for electromyographic diagnosis support (AU)

[Study on effects of bioelectric parameters of rats in electromagnetic radiation of HV transmission line].

With the development of economy and coming of information era, the chance of exposure to electromagnetic fields with various frequencies has been increased for every human. The effects of electromagnetic radiattion on human being's health are versatile. To study the effects of bioelctronic parameters of rats in the electromagnetic radiations of HV transmission line, EEG, ECG and CMAP were measured in rats exposed to simulating high-voltage transmission line electromagnetic radiation for over one year. Brain tissues were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that no significant difference between exposed group and control group in EEG; however the FT-infrared spectra of brain tissues were different; the ECG of the exposed animals was considerably altered. Significant slowing of heart rate was observed in those rates exposed to EMFs; the latent period of CMAP in exposed group were not different compared with those of control group however there was a significant difference in wave amplitude of CMAP between the exposed group and control group. All results indicated that there must be some effects on bioelectric parameters of rats exposed to electromagnetic radiation of high-voltage transmission line for a long time.

Cervical dystonia mimicking dropped-head syndrome after radiotherapy for laryngeal carcinoma.

We report a case of cervical dystonia mimicking dropped-head syndrome (DHS) in a 57-year-old man treated for laryngeal carcinoma by radiotherapy (74.4 Gy) 3 months before. Cervical computerized tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not find any muscle fat changes but found a high-intensity signal on T2 weighted images in the cervical spinal cord. Clinical and electromyographic findings were consistent with cervical dystonia. A trapezius biopsy was normal. Spontaneous remission of the dystonia was observed for 1 month whereas the laryngeal carcinoma progressed. The link between cervical dystonia and radiotherapy might be acute radiation-induced damage to the cervical spinal cord.

[Radiogenic amyotrophy. Cauda equina lesion as a late radiation sequela]. / Radiogene Amyotrophie. Cauda-equina-Läsion als Strahlenspätfolge.

PURPOSE: Course and pathophysiology of a typical syndrome after irradiation of the cauda equina were studied. PATIENTS AND MATERIALS: 7 patients with irradiation damage of the cauda equina were examined clinically and neurophysiologically. RESULTS: After a mean delay of 5 years and 6 months all patients developed an ascending lower motor neuron weakness of the legs without pain, in part accompanied with mild sensory and sphincter symptoms. Electromyography, evoked potentials and neurography were important for the differential diagnosis to tumor infiltration. The course was progredient. DISCUSSION: For a long time, the underlaying damage was thought to be in the anterior horn cell body. The course of the studied patients with additional sensory and vegetative symptoms implies for a direct bilateral damage of the cauda equina. A better term for the syndrome is "post-irradiation cauda-equina-syndrome".