平山病的影像特征浅析

目的研究平山病的磁共振成像特征。方法报道4例临床确诊的平山病患者的颈椎自然体位及屈颈位MRI表现,并复习文献,探讨平山病MRI表现的发病机制。结果自然体位MRI上4例均显示颈椎生理曲度变直,低位颈髓萎缩变扁,1例萎缩的颈髓内可见异常信号。屈颈位MRI显示4例患者颈髓前移、变扁,硬脊膜向前移位,硬膜外间隙增宽,可见迂曲血管流空影,增强扫描后明显强化。结论不同体位的颈椎MRI扫描能显示平山病患者的异常表现,尤其是屈颈位的表现有重要价值。     

平山病的临床及颈磁共振成像影学特点

目的:研究平山病临床特点及低位颈髓自然位和过屈位磁共振成像(magnetic resonance imaging, MRI)特殊的动态变化.方法:对27例患者进行临床资料的整理以及MRI自然位和过屈位的矢状位和轴位扫描,观察其低位颈髓的动态变化.结果:(1)该组患者的临床符合平山病的诊断标准,表现为上肢远端不对称性肌无力、萎缩.全部为青年男性.大多数在19岁前起病(占77.8%),多为右手首发(20例,74%).就诊时病程为2个月至72个月,平均(26.48±15.57)个月.(2)自然位,16例示曲线异常,14例下段颈髓萎缩,2例髓内有异常信号.(3)过屈位,所有患者均出现颈髓前移、变扁,脊膜后有月牙形异常信号影.(4)1例患者强化检查示过屈位,脊膜后月牙形异常信号影有强化.恢复自然位后,颈髓恢复原状,强化消失.结论:平山病主要发生在青春期,男性多见.颈部MRI在过屈位存在特殊的动态变化,过屈位MRI可协助早期诊断.     

平山病的MRI诊断——附2例报告及文献复习

目的研究平山病的临床及磁共振成像特征。方法2例经临床确诊的平山病患者,临床特征为隐匿起病的单侧上肢远端肌无力、肌萎缩,其中1例近期伴胸大肌萎缩。2例患者均行颈椎自然体位及屈颈位MRI检查,颈椎X线平片,血生化检查,脑脊液及肌电图检查。复习相关文献。结果自然体位MRI见低位颈髓萎缩变扁,屈颈位MRI显示见颈髓前移、变扁,脊膜后可见月牙形略长T1长T2异常信号及其内的流空信号,增强扫描强化明显。肌电图提示神经源性损害。结论平山病的自然位、屈颈位MRI所见的动态改变具有特征性,对诊断及了解平山病的发病机制有重要价值。     

Post-thyroidectomy neck ultrasonography in patients with thyroid cancer and a review of the literature

The importance of routine neck ultrasonography for the detection of unsuspected local or nodal recurrence of thyroid cancer following thyroidectomy (with or without neck dissection) is well documented in many journal articles and international guidelines. Herein, we present a pictorial summary of the sonographic features of benign and malignant central neck compartment nodules and cervical lymph nodes via a series of high-quality ultra-sonographic images, with a review of the literature.     

平山病的影像学研究进展

 平山病(Hirayama disease)是以单侧上肢远端肌萎缩起病为特点的一种良性自限性疾病。早期因诊断技术限制及临床认识不足导致误诊率较高。近年来由于肌电图和影像学检查手段发展,临床病例增多,平山病逐渐为人熟知。X线、CT可以清晰显示患者颈椎曲度、局部节段稳定性及椎间小关节退变程度、后纵韧带是否骨化,而中立位颈椎MRI示失连接现象及屈颈位MRI发现硬膜前移则是最重要的影像学征象。本文将对平山病的临床表现和肌电图特点作一简要介绍,并对其影像学诊断技术及征象进行详细综述。     

平山病的诊断及治疗

平出病为临床少见的一种良性自限性疾病,是一种与颈部屈曲运动有关的颈髓病变,预后良好,与运动神经元病截然不同。本病青春期发病,特征性表现为:局限性上肢远端、手指及腕无力,伴远端肌肉萎缩、寒冷麻痹和手指伸展时束颤,肌电图表现为神经源性损害。自然状态下颈椎磁共振检查可见脊髓非对称性前角萎缩和硬膜外静脉丛扩张,屈颈状态下可见颈髓的硬脊膜后壁向前推移,下颈髓受压。治疗可采用颈托或硬脊膜成形术+脊髓松解术。     

Palliative surgery for cervical spine metastasis

INTRODUCTION

The present study aimed to assess the immediate/early clinical outcomes and surgical results of 11 consecutive patients who underwent palliative cervical spine surgery for symptomatic spinal metastases.

METHODS

This single-surgeon retrospective case series analysed 12 surgical procedures that were performed for symptomatic cervical spinal metastasis in 11 consecutive patients. All surgeries were carried out at Singapore General Hospital, Singapore, from 2007 to 2013. Preoperative medical oncological assessment/staging was performed on each patient – all patients presented with either axial neck pain or neurological deficits, and had no bladder or bowel symptoms. The primary outcomes analysed were postoperative neurological power and improvement in neck pain.

RESULTS

Anterior (n = 5), posterior (n = 4) and combined (n = 2) surgical approaches were used for decompression and stabilisation. Comparing between pre- and postoperative pain scores (scored according to the visual analog scale), and pre- and postoperative limb power scores (scored according to the Medical Research Council scale for muscle strength), we found that all patients showed improvement in their symptoms. Postoperatively, patients had either improvement or preservation of neurological power, and all patients had a decrease in axial neck pain after surgery. Although there was one case of minor pedicle screw instrumentation malplacement, this did not result in any neurological symptoms. Median survival for the patients was 108 (range 7‒1,095) days.

CONCLUSION

Palliative surgery for cervical spine metastasis is safe with good neurological results, low complication rates, and improvement in neck pain. A multidisciplinary approach involving surgeons, medical oncologists and radiotherapists is needed to optimise patient care and outcome.     

平山病的影像学及神经电生理的研究进展

平山病是一种散发的、青少年上肢远端肌萎缩,为良性自限性疾病,临床特征为隐袭起病的单侧前臂和手的肌肉无力和萎缩。自然位颈磁共振成像(MRI)可见低位颈髓萎缩变扁,屈颈位MRI显示颈髓前移、变扁,脊膜后可见月牙形略长T1和长T2异常信号及其内的流空信号,增强扫描强化明显。肌电图提示颈区肌肉神经源性损害。     

平山病的诊治进展

平山病为临床非常少见的一种良性自限性疾病,是一种与曲颈运动有关的颈髓病变。典型表现为：局限性上肢远端、手指及腕无力,伴远端肌肉萎缩、寒冷麻痹和手指伸展时束颤,肌电图表现为神经源性损害。在临床上与运动神经元病肌萎缩侧索硬化及脊髓进行性肌萎缩表现相似而预后截然不同,主要是男性青少年发病。     

平山病患者的MRI影像学表现

目的：通过分析平山病患者MRI的影像学表现,总结其MRI的高发表现。方法：选取2006年6月-2013年5月本院门诊和病房确诊的平山病患者48例作为研究对象,所有患者均行颈椎屈曲位和中立位MRI检查（共38例患者完成中立位横断面扫描）,并进行影像学分析。结果：所有患者均表现为屈曲位硬膜囊前移;79.2%（38/48）的患者屈曲位硬膜外血管曲张蔓延到胸椎;89.6%（43/48）可观察到屈曲位横断面脊髓楔形变;仅33.3%（16/48）可观察到硬膜外血管流空信号;除此之外,94.7%（36/38）表现为中立位横断面下颈椎硬膜囊和椎板分离;83.3%（40/48）表现为中立位下颈椎脊髓萎缩;64.6%（31/48）表现为中立位颈椎间盘退变;95.8%（46/48）表现为中立位颈椎曲度异常。结论：屈曲位颈椎MRI在诊断平山病上具有高度准确性,中立位颈椎MRI对于平山病诊断同样具有一定的指向作用。     

Cemented hemiarthroplasty in traumatic displaced femoral neck fractures and deep vein thrombosis: is there really a link?

INTRODUCTION

Traumatic displaced femoral neck fractures in the elderly can be treated with cemented or uncemented hemiarthroplasty with good outcomes. Earlier studies reported a higher incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) associated with cemented prostheses in elective total hip or knee arthroplasty. In addition, the hypercoagulable state after a traumatic femoral neck fracture and possible thrombogenic properties of bone cement could put these patients at greater risk for thromboembolism. We aimed to compare the incidence of DVT and progression to pulmonary embolism (PE) or mortality in cemented and uncemented hemiarthroplasty.

METHODS

The data of 271 patients treated with cemented or uncemented hemiarthroplasty after a traumatic displaced femoral neck fracture was retrospectively analysed for the incidence of DVT. The level of thrombosis, progression to PE and mortality were compared.

RESULTS

There were 133 (49.1%) patients with cemented hemiarthroplasty, while 138 (50.9%) had uncemented hemiarthroplasty. The patients had an average age of 76.6 (range 53–99) years and 11 (4.1%) patients had DVT. There were no significant differences in development of DVT, level of thrombosis, PE and mortality regardless of whether a cemented or an uncemented prosthesis was used.

CONCLUSION

Cemented hemiarthroplasty is not associated with higher risks of DVT, PE or mortality in patients with traumatic displaced femoral neck fracture. Cemented prostheses can be safely used for this group of patients.     

Carotidynia after anticancer chemotherapy

Carotidynia is characterised by inflammation limited to the common carotid artery, which has been recognised as a distinct disease entity by advanced vascular imaging. Although most cases of carotidynia are idiopathic, we herein present a case of carotidynia after anticancer chemotherapy. A 64-year-old male patient received docetaxel followed by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for the treatment of lung squamous carcinoma. After the treatment, bilateral cervical pain developed. Vascular imaging, including magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and ultrasonography, showed characteristics specific for carotidynia. Although there was no strong confirmation using tests such as a challenge test, our observations suggest that docetaxel or G-CSF could be a causative drug triggering carotidynia.     

A clinical neurophysiology study of Hirayama disease

Background  Hirayama disease is a rare disease characterized by juvenile-onset of asymmetric amyotrophy, of which etiology has not been clarified. The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical and neurophysiologic characteristics of Hirayama disease.

Methods  Neurophysiological tests, including nerve conduction studies (NCS), F-wave and routine electromyography (EMG), were performed in seventy-three patients with Hirayama disease. EMG was selectively performed on upper and lower extremities, sternocleidomast and thoracic paravertebral muscles according to the clinical features of the patients.

Results  Abnormal NCS parameters, including decreased compound muscle action potentials or delayed distal motor latency, were found in 34.2% (25/73) and 12.3% (9/73) of the patients, respectively. A total of 24.6% (18/73) of the patients showed decreased F-wave frequency. EMG demonstrated the presence of neurogenic lesions in all patients with spontaneous potentials, prolonged duration or augmentation of amplitude in motor unit potentials (MUPs), or a single pattern of MUP recruitment. About 17.8% (13/73) of the patients showed neurogenic lesions, mostly in the C7-8 level of the cervical cord, only in the upper extremity of affected side, whereas 35.6% (26/73) of the patients possessed lesions in the upper extremities bilaterally. A total of 46.6% (34/73) of patients exhibited abnormalities in the lower extremities, sterno- cleidomast or thoracic paravertebral muscle. Changes in motor NCS were significantly correlated with muscle strength.

Conclusions  EMG detects diffused subclinical neurogenic lesion in a high proportion of patients with Hirayama disease. Results of our study challenge the hypothesis that Hirayama disease is a type of cervical myelopathy.

     

Clinics in diagnostic imaging (161). Cervical OPLL with cord compression

A 53-year-old man presented with acute cervical myelopathy following a fall. Cervical radiography and computed tomography showed ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) from C2 to C6 level, with severe cervical canal stenosis and cord compression. Magnetic resonance imaging further showed increased T2-weighted signal in the spinal cord at the level of greatest central spinal canal stenosis. OPLL is a significant cause of myelopathy in Asian populations and is found in up to 25% of patients presenting with cervical compression myelopathy. The clinical presentation, radiological evaluation and management of OPLL are discussed.     

Treatment of posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fractures of the tibia using a toothed plate and hollow lag screw

INTRODUCTION

To investigate the feasibility and clinical efficacy of using a toothed plate and hollow lag screw in the surgical treatment of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fractures of the tibia.

METHODS

A total of 21 patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation using a toothed plate and hollow lag screw, through a posteromedial approach using an inverted L-shaped incision. The patients were allowed appropriate functional exercises, including knee flexion and extension, after removal of the plaster at postoperative weeks 3–6. The follow-up period was between six months and two years.

RESULTS

This was a retrospective study of patients with PCL avulsion fractures of the tibia caused by road traffic accidents (n = 9), sports-related injuries (n = 6), falls (n = 5) and machinery-related injuries (n = 1). 20 patients presented with fresh fractures and one with an old fracture. The patients (13 men, eight women) had a mean age of 41.5 (range 19–72) years. Anatomical reduction of the fracture and satisfactory fixation were achieved in all 21 patients. Bony union was achieved in all patients at 8–12 weeks after surgery. Six months after surgery, knee flexion was 121.9° ± 10.4° and extension was 0°. According to the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, 19 patients were rated as ‘excellent’ and two as ‘good’.

CONCLUSION

The use of a toothed plate and hollow lag screw could be a simple and reliable approach for PCL avulsion fractures of the tibia. Patients achieved good knee function after surgery.     

Morphological study of the attachment of the sternocleidomastoid muscle

INTRODUCTION

The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle is a major muscle of the neck. Classically, this muscle is attached below the sternum and clavicle, although the mode of attachment might vary. As the SCM is related to numerous important neurovascular structures, its variable anatomy is clinically relevant, particularly for neck surgeries. A cadaveric study was performed to establish the variations present in the mode of attachment of the SCM muscle in an Indian population.

METHODS

We studied the variations in the attachment of the SCM muscle during the dissection of 18 cadavers for undergraduate teaching in two medical colleges in West Bengal, India.

RESULTS

Variations in the attachment of the SCM muscle were found in 5 (27.8%) specimens. Of these five specimens, three had unilateral variations and two had bilateral variations. In each specimen, the modes of presentation of the SCM and its fusion with the major bulk were also different.

CONCLUSION

In this study, we found variations in the attachment of the SCM muscle in more than a quarter of the specimens dissected. Surgeons should bear in mind such variations when performing neck surgeries.     

The influence of caregivers’ knowledge and understanding of asthma aetiology on domiciliary management of children with asthma

INTRODUCTION

Asthma is a common childhood disease, and paediatric patients with asthma rely on caregivers to administer domiciliary asthma care. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, understanding, perceptions and main concerns of caregivers and its influence on their home management of children with asthma.

METHODS

Data from 14 caregivers of children with asthma was collected during three focus group discussions held in two polyclinics in Singapore. The collected data was analysed using standard content analysis and classified into themes.

RESULTS

The caregivers’ main concerns included the perceived effects of infection, food and exercise on children with asthma. Several caregivers considered the disease to be infectious and had a lower threshold for physician consultation, as they believed that any delay in treating the infection would be detrimental to the child’s health. Some also perceived asthma to be episodic and self-limiting, and that their children could ‘outgrow’ it. Many caregivers believed that asthma could be modified by abstinence from, or intake of, certain foods. Others had the perception that sports, including swimming, would worsen asthma. These perceptions resulted in unnecessary restrictions of the children’s diet and activities. Most caregivers were unaware of influenza vaccination as a preventive measure to reduce triggers due to respiratory viral infections.

CONCLUSION

We found that the caregivers’ perceptions of asthma aetiology, its triggers and preventive measures affected their help-seeking behaviour and care of children with asthma. Healthcare professionals managing paediatric patients with asthma should recognise such caregiver misperceptions, and take a proactive approach to rectify and bridge the gaps in caregivers’ knowledge and understanding of the disease.     

Reducing allograft contamination and disease transmission: intraosseous temperatures of femoral head allografts during autoclaving

INTRODUCTION

The Singapore General Hospital Bone Bank, which exclusively stores femoral head allografts, relies on flash sterilisation to prevent allograft-related disease transmission and wound infection. However, intraosseous temperatures during autoclaving may be lower than required to eliminate human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis B and C viruses. The aim of this study is to determine the intraosseous temperatures of femoral head allografts during autoclaving and to assess the adequacy of autoclaving in preventing disease transmission.

METHODS

Six femoral heads were acquired from patients who underwent hip arthroplasty. The specimens were divided into two groups. The first group underwent flash sterilisation with a sterilisation time of 4 min, while a longer sterilisation time of 22 min was used for the second group.

RESULTS

The highest core temperature in the first group was 130°C, while the core temperatures in the second group plateaued at 133°C for all allografts. In the first group, only smaller allografts maintained temperatures sufficient for the inactivation of the clinically relevant viral pathogens. In contrast, all allografts in the second group were terminally sterilised.

CONCLUSION

There is an inverse correlation between the size of allografts and intraosseous temperatures achieved during autoclaving. Therefore, we recommend dividing large allografts into smaller pieces, in order to achieve intraosseous temperatures adequate for the elimination of transmissible pathogens during flash sterilisation. Allografts should not be terminally sterilised, as the resulting allografts will become unusable. Despite modern processing techniques, stringent donor selection remains vital in the effort to prevent allograft-related infections. Autoclaving is an economical and efficacious method of preventing allograft-related disease transmission.     

Unusual presentation of adult xanthogranuloma

Xanthogranulomas are the most common form of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Both adult and childhood forms have been described. Adult cutaneous forms can present as solitary or multiple yellowish, orange-red or tan-hued papules. Herein, we present the case of a 28-year-old Chinese man with a skin-coloured nodule on his left nasal ala that persisted for several months. While initial impression was that of a fibrous papule of the nose, the results of an excision biopsy showed histological features corresponding to xanthogranuloma. This case demonstrates the condition''s myriad of dermatological presentations, and adds to the differential diagnoses of a cutaneous lesion found in the head and neck region.     

Successful treatment of solitary intraosseous haemangioma of the femoral neck

Intraosseous haemangiomas (IOHs) are benign vascular bone tumours that account for 1% of all primary bone tumours. They are most frequently seen in the vertebrae and skull, and are rarely found in long bones. Herein, we present an uncommon case of a 25-year-old woman with a solitary IOH that occupied the left femoral neck. We describe the clinical, radiological and histological details of the case, as well as the three-year outcome of the surgical treatment, which successfully preserved the femoral head. We also conducted a review of the literature on this uncommon entity.