短时程脊髓电刺激治疗爆发痛合并触诱发痛的急性期带状疱疹的临床研究

目的探讨短时程脊髓电刺激(temporary spinal cord stimulation, tSCS)治疗爆发痛合并触诱发痛的急性期带状疱疹的临床疗效。方法回顾性地分析同济大学附属第十人民医院疼痛科2020年1月—2020年12月收治的52例接受tSCS治疗的爆发痛合并触诱发痛的急性期带状疱疹患者的临床资料，评估在治疗前、治疗后3d、7d、14d、3个月、6个月的总体疼痛情况(numerical rating scale, NRS)评分、(simple McGill scores, McGill)评分、爆发痛情况(发生率、NRS评分、次数以及持续时间)、触诱发痛情况(发生率、分级)、术后不良反应等；评估在治疗前、治疗后7d、3个月、6个月的睡眠时长、睡眠中醒来次数、疼痛障碍指数(pain disorder index, PDI)、功能状态评分(Karnofsky score, KPS)、抑郁症筛查量表(patient health questionnaire depression module scale, PHQ-9)和焦虑症筛查量表(generalized anxiety disorder-7 scale, GAD-7)等。结果与治疗前相比，治疗后3d、7d、14d、3个月、6个月的总体疼痛NRS评分、总体疼痛MCGILL评分、静息痛NRS评分明显降低(均P<0.001)；与治疗前相比，治疗后3d、7d、14d、3个月、6个月的的爆发痛NRS评分明显降低(均P<0.05)，治疗后14d、3个月、6个月时的爆发痛次数以及持续时间都明显降低(均P<0.05)；与治疗前比较，患者治疗后7d、14d、3个月、6个月时的触诱发痛的分级都明显降低，差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)；与治疗前相比，治疗后14d、3个月、6个月的PDI评分明显降低(P<0.05)；与治疗前相比，治疗后14d、3个月、6个月的PHQ-9评分和GAD-7评分都明显减少(P<0.05)，与术前的药物使用情况相比，治疗后各镇痛药使用人数普遍呈下降趋势；术中及整个随访期间未观察到严重不良事件。结论短时程脊髓电刺激对爆发痛合并触诱发痛的急性期带状疱疹具有较好的临床疗效。     

Contribution of different somatosensory afferent input to subcortical somatosensory evoked potentials in humans

ObjectivesTo investigate the subcortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) to electrical stimulation of either muscle or cutaneous afferents.MethodsSEPs were recorded in 6 patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease (PD) who underwent electrode implantation in the pedunculopontine (PPTg) nucleus area. We compared SEPs recorded from the scalp and from the intracranial electrode contacts to electrical stimuli applied to: 1) median nerve at the wrist, 2) abductor pollicis brevis motor point, and 3) distal phalanx of the thumb. Also the high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) were analysed.ResultsAfter median nerve and pure cutaneous (distant phalanx of the thumb) stimulation, a P1-N1 complex was recorded by the intracranial lead, while the scalp electrodes recorded the short-latency far-field responses (P14 and N18). On the contrary, motor point stimulation did not evoke any low-frequency component in the PPTg traces, nor the N18 potential on the scalp. HFOs were recorded to stimulation of all modalities by the PPTg electrode contacts.ConclusionsStimulus processing within the cuneate nucleus depends on modality, since only the cutaneous input activates the complex intranuclear network possibly generating the scalp N18 potential.SignificanceOur results shed light on the subcortical processing of the somatosensory input of different modalities.     

Higher Preimplantation Opioid Doses Associated With Long‐Term Spinal Cord Stimulation Failure in 211 Patients With Failed Back Surgery Syndrome

ObjectiveSpinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an effective treatment in failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). We studied the effect of preimplantation opioid use on SCS outcome and the effect of SCS on opioid use during a two-year follow-up period.Materials and methodsThe study cohort included 211 consecutive FBSS patients who underwent an SCS trial from January 1997 to March 2014. Participants were divided into groups, which were as follows: 1) SCS trial only (n = 47), 2) successful SCS (implanted and in use throughout the two-year follow-up period, n = 131), and 3) unsuccessful SCS (implanted but later explanted or revised due to inadequate pain relief, n = 29). Patients who underwent explantation for other reasons (n = 4) were excluded. Opioid purchase data from January 1995 to March 2016 were retrieved from national registries.ResultsHigher preimplantation opioid doses associated with unsuccessful SCS (ROC: AUC = 0.66, p = 0.009), with 35 morphine milligram equivalents (MME)/day as the optimal cutoff value. All opioids were discontinued in 23% of patients with successful SCS, but in none of the patients with unsuccessful SCS (p = 0.004). Strong opioids were discontinued in 39% of patients with successful SCS, but in none of the patients with unsuccessful SCS (p = 0.04). Mean opioid dose escalated from 18 ± 4 MME/day to 36 ± 6 MME/day with successful SCS and from 22 ± 8 MME/day to 82 ± 21 MME/day with unsuccessful SCS (p < 0.001).ConclusionsHigher preimplantation opioid doses were associated with SCS failure, suggesting the need for opioid tapering before implantation. With continuous SCS therapy and no explantation or revision due to inadequate pain relief, 39% of FBSS patients discontinued strong opioids, and 23% discontinued all opioids. This indicates that SCS should be considered before detrimental dose escalation.     

Importancia de algunos aspectos técnicos del procedimiento de estimulación percutánea del nervio tibial posterior en pacientes con incontinencia fecal

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Thyroid Embolization for Nonsurgical Treatment of Nodular Goiter: A Single-Center Experience in 56 Consecutive Patients

PurposeTo investigate the safety and efficacy of thyroid artery embolization (TAE) in the treatment of nodular goiter (NG).MethodsDuring a 5.5-year period, 56 consecutive patients with a NG underwent TAE. In Group A, there were 20 patients with a solitary/dominant 5–11-cm nodule, and in Group B, there were 36 patients with numerous nodules. Of the 56 patients, 47 (84%) had a retrosternal goiter and 25 had hyperthyroidism. In all patients, clinical and radiological evaluations were made at baseline and 6 months after TAE, and these parameters were statistically compared.ResultsIn 56 patients, 145 of the 146 thyroid arteries were successfully embolized. The 30-day mortality rate was 1.8%. Minor and major complications occurred in 25 and 2 patients, respectively. Six months after the TAE, the mean nodule volume was reduced from 80.2 mL to 25.0 mL, the mean thyroid volume was reduced from 147.0 mL to 62.6 mL, and the mean intrathoracic extension was reduced from 31.7 mm to 15.9 mm (P < .001). Of the 22 patients with non–Graves hyperthyroidism, 19 (86%) became euthyroid. The mean thyroid-related patient-reported outcome scores improved from 155.4 to 70.4 (P < .001). Of the 51 patients, 50 (98%) declared that they would recommend TAE to other patients with NG.ConclusionsTAE is safe and effective for the treatment of NG, with a significant volume reduction of the nodule(s) and thyroid gland.     

Electrolipolysis associated with aerobic activity does not reduce subcutaneous adipose tissue of the abdominal region of young women: A randomized clinical trial

ObjectiveTo analyze the effects of electrolysis, through a medium frequency current, associated to aerobic physical activity in the body composition of young women.MethodsThe study was composed of 34 sedentary women (24.35 ± 4.43 years, 71.30 ± 7.08 kg, 1.61 ± 0.06 m, 27.31 ± 1.67 kg/m2) which were evaluated for their anthropometric measures and body composition. The volunteers were randomly assigned to two group: Electrolyphysis plus Aerobic Exercise (gEEA): 17 volunteers were submitted to the application, for 60 min , of the Aussie current, followed by aerobic physical activity (77% of HRmax) on the trampoline for 40 min, through video-lessons of Jump; and Aerobic Exercise group (gEA): 17 volunteers performed only physical activity following the same parameters mentioned above. Each group performed its protocols twice weekly, for 5 weeks, totaling 10 sessions. For the data analysis, measures repeated ANOVA was performed to compare the means of the variables analyzed before and after the treatment protocols using the SPSS - 21.0 software, adopting a p ≤ 0.05.ResultsAlthough gEEA decreased suprailiac skinfold (p = 0.04), abdominal skinfold (p = 0.03) and circumference at umbilical scar (p = 0.02) in an intragroup analysis, these means differences in anthropometric measures were not important between-groups (p > 0.05). Furthermore, there were no effect of treatment on body composition (p > 0.05).ConclusionTo this studied condition, our results suggested that application of medium frequency electrolysis did not enhance the losses on anthropometric measures and body composition.     

A Pilot First-in-Human Study of Embrace,a Polyethylene Glycol-Based Liquid Embolic Agent,in the Embolization of Malignant and Benign Hypervascular Tumors

PurposeTo investigate the safety and efficacy of an aqueous polyethylene glycol-based liquid embolic agent, Embrace Hydrogel Embolic System (HES), in the treatment of benign and malignant hypervascular tumors.Materials and MethodsA prospective, single-arm, multicenter study included 8 patients, 5 males and 3 females, with a median age of 58.5 years (30–85 years), who underwent embolization in 8 tumors between October 2019 and May 2020. Technical success was defined as successful delivery of HES to the index vessel, with disappearance of >90% of the targeted vascular enhancement or, for portal vein embolization, occlusion of the portal branches to the liver segments for future resection. The volume of HES administered, ease of use (5 point Likert scale), administration time, and adverse events (AEs) were recorded. Evaluation was performed at 7, 30, and 90 days via clinical assessment and blood testing, and follow-up imaging was performed at 30 days.ResultsEight patients were enrolled, and 10 embolizations were performed in 8 lesions. Tumors included hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 4), renal angiomyolipoma (n = 3), and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (n = 1). Technical success was 100%, and the average ease of use was 3.3 ± 1.0 SD. The HES delivery time was 1–28 minutes (median, 16.5 minutes), and the HES volume injected was 0.4–4.0 mL (median, 1.3 mL). All patients reached 30-day follow-up with imaging, and 6 patients reached 90-day follow-up. There were 3 serious AEs in 2 patients that were unrelated to the embolic agent.ConclusionHES resulted in a 100% embolization technical success rate. The product ease of use was acceptable, and no target vessel recanalization was noted on follow-up imaging at 30 days.     

Neural selectivity,efficiency, and dose equivalence in deep brain stimulation through pulse width tuning and segmented electrodes

BackgroundAchieving deep brain stimulation (DBS) dose equivalence is challenging, especially with pulse width tuning and directional contacts. Further, the precise effects of pulse width tuning are unknown, and recent reports of the effects of pulse width tuning on neural selectivity are at odds with classic biophysical studies.MethodsWe created multicompartment neuron models for two axon diameters and used finite element modeling to determine extracellular influence from standard and segmented electrodes. We analyzed axon activation profiles and calculated volumes of tissue activated.ResultsWe find that long pulse widths focus the stimulation effect on small, nearby fibers, suppressing distant white matter tract activation (responsible for some DBS side effects) and improving battery utilization when equivalent activation is maintained for small axons. Directional leads enable similar benefits to a greater degree. Reexamining previous reports of short pulse stimulation reducing side effects, we explore a possible alternate explanation: non-dose equivalent stimulation may have resulted in reduced spread of neural activation. Finally, using internal capsule avoidance as an example in the context of subthalamic stimulation, we present a patient-specific model to show how long pulse widths could help increase the biophysical therapeutic window.DiscussionWe find agreement with classic studies and predict that long pulse widths may focus the stimulation effect on small, nearby fibers and improve power consumption. While future pre-clinical and clinical work is necessary regarding pulse width tuning, it is clear that future studies must ensure dose equivalence, noting that energy- and charge-equivalent amplitudes do not result in equivalent spread of neural activation when changing pulse width.     

脑电仿生电刺激对脑梗死后认知功能障碍的影响

目的观察脑电仿生电刺激小脑顶核对脑梗死后认知功能障碍的影响,并探讨其可能的机制。方法选取脑梗死后并发认知功能障碍患者50例,随机分成治疗组与对照组各25例。2组患者均接受康复治疗及认知功能训练,治疗组同时加用脑电仿生电刺激进行干预。2组患者分别于治疗前后应用蒙特利尔认知评估量表(MoCA)、简易精神状态量表(MMSE)评定认知功能变化,采用经颅多普勒超声(TCD)评估颅内动脉血流动力学改变。结果治疗后2组患者MoCA评分、MMSE评分均较组内治疗前提高(P<0.05),且治疗组评分明显较对照组高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后2组患者颅内动脉血流动力学较组内治疗前改善(P<0.05),且治疗组较对照组改善更显著,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗组与对照组总有效率分别为92%和64%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论脑电仿生电刺激小脑顶核可有效改善脑梗死患者的认知功能,其可能机制是通过改善患者的脑循环进一步改善认知功能。