Enlarged high frequency oscillations of the median nerve somatosensory evoked potential and survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

ObjectiveA large N20 and P25 of the median nerve somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) predicts short survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We investigated whether high frequency oscillations (HFOs) over N20 are enlarged and associated with survival in ALS.MethodsA total of 145 patients with ALS and 57 healthy subjects were studied. We recorded the median nerve SEP and measured the onset-to-peak amplitude of N20 (N20o-p), and peak-to-peak amplitude between N20 and P25 (N20p-P25p). We obtained early and late HFO potentials by filtering SEP between 500 and 1 kHz, and measured the peak-to-peak amplitude. We followed up patients until endpoints (death or tracheostomy) and analyzed the relationship between SEP or HFO amplitudes and survival using a Cox analysis.ResultsPatients showed larger N20o-p, N20p-P25p, and early and late HFO amplitudes than the control values. N20p-P25p was associated with survival periods (p = 0.0004), while early and late HFO amplitudes showed no significant association with survival (p = 0.4307, and p = 0.6858, respectively).ConclusionsThe HFO amplitude in ALS is increased, but does not predict survival.SignificanceThe enlarged HFOs in ALS might be a compensatory phenomenon to the hyperexcitability of the sensory cortex pyramidal neurons.     

Surgical and anesthetic influences of the oculocardiac reflex in adults and children during strabismus surgery

One of the most common untoward occurrences during strabismus surgery at all ages is the oculocardiac reflex. Although typically easily treated, the sudden bradycardia or cardiac arrest may add a few gray hairs to ophthalmologists and anesthesiologists alike as it can be potentially fatal. This updated review of the literature and novel detailed treatment algorithm may prevent patient morbidity and mortality through proper recognition of at-risk patients and rapid treatment through proper communication between surgical and anesthesia physicians/providers.     

The measurement of neck strength: A guide for sports medicine clinicians

This masterclass aims to provide an overview of the measurement of neck strength and the factors which can increase the ecological validity of the testing protocol within an athletic population. Adopting a ‘gold standard’ method for measuring neck strength is of vital importance when determining strength differences across sports, ages and sexes. Without a ‘gold standard’ method current variations in testing procedure and equipment have created challenges in establishing normative neck strength data. With encouraging evidence that higher neck strength can have a protective effect against sports-related head and neck injuries, including concussion, new injury prevention knowledge may be impeded by a lack of consensus on how to accurately measure neck strength, with a number of different methods available. This masterclass will outline the factors clinicians should consider when selecting a device and measurement protocol when measuring maximal neck strength as well as how to interpret the results.     

Spinal manual therapy and exercises for chronic hamstring injuries in a sprinter: A case report

IntroductionHamstring injuries tend to be chronic in nature and thus require considerable recovery time in athletes. Although some rehabilitation protocols have been previously advocated, there is no consensus in terms of the treatment protocol for chronic hamstring injuries.MethodsWe present the case of a 15-year-old male sprinter who was successfully treated with a combination of manual therapy targeting the lumbosacral region and hamstring-specific exercises. The patient presented with hamstring pain which persisted for 7 weeks.ResultsManual therapy immediately reduced pain and increased muscle strength. The patient was able to run satisfactorily without pain 30 days after the initial intervention.ConclusionsThis case report suggests that the use of manual therapy targeting the lumbosacral region, along with hamstring exercises, may be beneficial in chronic hamstring pain management.     

Dynamic Indicators That Impact the Outcomes of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair in Complicated Type B Aortic Dissection

PurposeTo investigate dynamic variables obtained from retrospective computed tomography angiography for ability to predict thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) outcomes in patients with complicated type B aortic dissection (cTBAD).Materials and MethodsSeventy-nine patients with cTBAD who received TEVAR from March 2009 to June 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. Relative true lumen area (r-TLA) was computed at the level of tracheal bifurcation every 5% of all R-R intervals. Parameters that reflect the state of intimal motion were evaluated, including difference between maximum and minimum r-TLA (D-TLA) and true lumen collapse. The endpoints comprised early (≤ 30 days) and late (> 30 days) outcomes after intervention.ResultsOverall early mortality rate was 13.9% (11/79), and early adverse events rate was 24.1% (19/79). Patients who received TEVAR within 2 days of symptom onset demonstrated the worst outcomes. A longer time of r-TLA < 25% in 1 cardiac cycle (P = .049) and larger D-TLA (P < .001) were correlated to an increased early death. In addition, D-TLA was an independent predictor of early mortality. Area under the curve of D-TLA was 0.849 (95% confidence interval 0.730–0.967) for predicting early mortality and 0.742 (95% CI 0.611–0.873) for predicting early adverse events. Survival and event-free survival rates during follow-up were decreased in the D-TLA > 21.5% group compared with the D-TLA ≤ 21.5% group (all P < .001).ConclusionsLarger D-TLA is correlated with worse postoperative outcomes and might be a crucial parameter for future risk stratification in patients with cTBAD.     

基于《温疫论》理论探讨新冠肺炎的辨证施治方法

2019年12月我国武汉爆发新型冠状病毒肺炎(新冠肺炎),具有较强的传染性和流行性,属于中医学"瘟疫"范畴,严重威胁人类的生命健康。面对这一突发的公共卫生事件,该文基于《温疫论》理论,从临床实际出发,对新冠肺炎的发病特点、传变以及辨证论治进行了解析。根据此次疫情的特点,新冠肺炎的病因为感受"戾气",病机为疫毒遏湿,其传变遵循《温疫论》"表里九传"规律,可分为顺传与逆传,病程具有一定的规律性与阶段性。初期邪伏膜原、疫毒遏湿,应开达膜原、祛湿化浊、宣透疏利;中期病邪可顺传于表,此时应当使用辛凉解表之剂,通过战汗透邪,使邪随汗出,若湿毒入里化热,致肺络受损,腑气不通,里实热结,当通腑泻热,攻下逐邪,给邪以出路;若失治、误治、病邪太过,可致病邪内陷心包,造成神昏谵语、躁扰不宁、四肢厥逆、脉微欲绝等内闭外脱的危重表现,治疗上注意攻补兼施,开闭固脱;恢复期,由于余邪未尽,且热病易伤阴耗气,治疗上不仅要预防余邪反复,更要滋阴补血,恢复正气。在疾病治疗过程中,吴又可提出"祛邪为第一要义、忌妄汗下法、顾护脾胃"三大法则。《温疫论》对"瘟疫"的病因病机、传变和辨证施治有着系统的认识,为后代战胜历次瘟疫提供了宝贵经验,这对于此次新冠肺炎的防治同样具有重要的指导意义。