Urethral sphincter dyssynergia in spinal cord injury patients

On the basis of several hundreds of urodynamic investigations done in 105 SCI patients the phenomenon of urethral sphincter dyssynergia was studied. In Upper Motor Neuron Lesion (UMNL) patients, dyssynergic contractions of the external urethral sphincter during spontaneous bladder contractions were demonstrated in 86% and, during bladder contractions initiated by suprapubic tapping, also in 86%. CREDE manoeuvre or abdominal straining gave an augmentation of the urethral sphincter activity in 53%. Interrupted tapping could lower a dyssynergic sphincter activity in a great number of UMNL patients. This technique of bladder stimulation was important to acquire a balanced bladder function in 28% of the patients. In patients with a non-contracting detrusor, a non-relaxing sphincter or augmentation of the sphincter spasticity with the crédé manoeuvre or abdominal straining was found in at least 50%. The values of different forms of conservative treatment and of sphincterotomy are discussed. The final outcome of the bladder reeducation is given.     

Botulinum toxin injections in the treatment of musician's dystonia

The authors present the results of 84 musicians with focal task-specific dystonia treated with EMG-guided botulinum toxin injections. Treatment outcome was assessed by subjective estimation of playing before and after treatment and self-rating of treatment response. Fifty-eight (69%) of the musicians experienced improvement from the injections and 30 of 84 musicians (36%) reported long-term benefit in their performance ability.     

Botulinum toxin injections reduce associative plasticity in patients with primary dystonia

Botulinum toxin injections ameliorate dystonic symptoms by blocking the neuromuscular junction and weakening dystonic contractions. We asked if botulinum toxin injections in dystonia patients might also affect the integrity of sensorimotor cortical plasticity, one of the key pathophysiological features of dystonia. We applied a paired associative stimulation protocol, known to induce long‐term potentiation–like changes in the primary motor cortex hand area to 12 patients with cervical dystonia before and 1 and 3 months after botulinum toxin injections to the neck muscles. Primary motor cortex excitability was probed by measuring transcranial magnetic stimulation‐evoked motor evoked potentials before and after paired associative stimulation. We also measured the input–output curve, short‐interval intracortical inhibition, intracortical facilitation, short afferent inhibition, and long afferent inhibition in hand muscles and the clinical severity of dystonia. Before botulinum toxin injections, paired associative stimulation significantly facilitated motor evoked potentials in hand muscles. One month after injections, this effect was abolished, with partial recovery after 3 months. There were significant positive correlations between the facilitation produced by paired associative stimulation and (1) the time elapsed since botulinum toxin injections and (2) the clinical dystonia score. One effect of botulinum toxin injection treatment is to modulate afferent input from the neck. We propose that subsequent reorganization of the motor cortex representation of hand muscles may explain the effect of botulinum toxin on motor cortical plasticity. © The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.     

A controlled study of neuropsychological deficits in acute spinal cord injury patients

According to a number of studies, between 40% and 60% of acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients demonstrate cognitive dysfunction resulting from various forms of cerebral damage, including concurrent or premorbid closed head injury, chronic alcohol or substance abuse, and other causes. However, applicability of findings from these reports has been limited due to the use of inadequate neuropsychological testing techniques and the lack of control data. In a collaborative investigation, 81 acute SCI patients and 61 non-injured control subjects between 18 and 55 years of age completed a comprehensive motor-free neuropsychological test battery, including: Halstead Category Test (HCT), Vocabulary Subtest (VOCAB) of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Revised; Mental Control (MC) Subtest, and Initial and Recall trials of Logical Memory (LM) and Paired Associates (PA) Subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale; and the 8 trials of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). Percentages of retained information on the LM and PA were also calculated. Impairment levels for each test were defined as values which exceeded two standard deviations (one-tailed) from the control mean. Based on this definition, the prevalence of neuropsychological abnormality on each test ranged between 10% and 40%. Mean performance levels of patients were significantly more impaired than those of control subjects for all tests except for the Interference trial of the RAVLT and for the percentages of retained information on the LM and PA subtests. Comparison of test results of SCI patients with those of control subjects demonstrates that poor attention span and limited initial learning ability are frequent problems among SCI patients. Other common neuropsychological deficits among these patients include poor concentration ability, impaired memory function, and altered problem solving ability. These deficits may interfere with rehabilitation following SCI.     

Botulinum toxin A as a treatment for excessive drooling in children

Drooling is problematic for some neurologically impaired children. Botulinum toxin A injection to salivary glands has effectively reduced drooling in adults but has only recently been used to treat children. This was a preliminary study to determine the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin in children. Children identified as having severe daily drooling were enrolled. The preinjection assessment included measurement of the amount and frequency of drool. Each parotid gland was injected with 5 U of botulinum toxin A. Follow-up was for a minimum of 16 weeks. Nine children were enrolled, 4-17 years of age. All children had moderate or severe mental retardation. At week 4, all patients had a reduced drooling frequency and eight of nine patients had a reduction in the weight of saliva. Overall, five of nine parents (55%) deemed the treatment successful. This preliminary study demonstrates that botulinum toxin A is a relatively effective treatment for some children with significant drooling without serious side effects.     

Micromechanical adaptation as a treatment for spinal cord injury

<正>Spinal cord injury:Thus far injury of the spinal cord is incurable and, in the majority of cases, a devastating and life-changing event. The worldwide incidence rate of spinal cord injury(SCI) ranges from 250,000 to 900,000 (www.who.int, 2013; Ku-     

注射用A型肉毒毒素缓解脊髓损伤患者神经病理性疼痛的可行性

目的评价注射用 A型肉毒毒素缓解脊髓损伤（SCI）患者神经病理性疼痛（NP）的可行性。方法选择 2013年 4月 ~2016年 1月在荆州市第二人民医院就诊的SCI伴 NP患者 47例,随机分为试验组 24例和对照组 23例,分别给予注射用 A型肉毒毒素 200 U和生理盐水皮下注射,疗程 8周,评价治疗前和治疗 4周、8周后疼痛视觉模拟评分（VAS）、疼痛性质和生存质量。结果所有患者均顺利完成治疗。混合效应模型分析显示,试验组和对照组治疗前后不同时点 VAS评分、 VAS评分下降百分比、疼痛感觉、疼痛情感和总分差异均有统计学意义（P＜ 0.05）。重复测量效应分析显示,两组治疗前后各指标差异仍有统计学意义（P＜ 0.05）。分组与测量时点交互效应分析显示,两组各指标随时间变化趋势不同（P＜ 0.05）。以治疗前 WHO生存质量评估量表（WHOQOL）评分为协变量,治疗后第 8周试验组的生理领域、心理领域、环境领域评分高于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P＜ 0.05）社会关系领域组间比较差异无统计学意义（P＞ 0.05）。结论 A型肉毒毒素皮下注射能有效缓解 SCI患NP症状,镇痛效果优于安慰剂。     

Botulinum toxin: treatment of self-mutilation in patients with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LNS) is a rare X-linked recessive disorder involving purine metabolism caused by the congenital absence of hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase. A characteristic feature of LNS is the appearance of intractable self-injurious behavior, usually in the form of severe lip and finger biting. The mechanism behind this severe self-mutilating behavior is unknown, and is one of the main challenges in the management of this condition. We here report the case of a 30-year-old man with a confirmed diagnosis of LNS who was successfully treated for self-mutilation of his lips with repeated botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections in the facial perioral muscles. Our findings suggest that treatment with BTX-A helped reduce self-abusive behavior in this patient. Our case illustrates that BTX-A injections can be a useful therapeutic approach in patients with self-abusive behavior.     

Placebo controlled, randomised, double blind study of the effects of botulinum A toxin on detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in multiple sclerosis patients

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of botulinum A toxin in the treatment of detrusor sphincter dyssynergia in multiple sclerosis patients. METHODS: This was a multicentre, placebo controlled, randomised, double blind study. Patients with chronic urinary retention were included if they had post-voiding residual urine volume between 100 and 500 ml. They received a single transperineal injection of either botulinum A toxin (100 U Allergan) or placebo in the sphincter and also 5 mg slow release alfuzosin bid over 4 months. Main endpoint was post-voiding residual urine volume assessed 1 month after injection. Follow up duration was 4 months. Statistical analysis was performed using a sequential method, the triangular test. RESULTS: The study was stopped after the fourth analysis (86 patients had been included: placebo: 41, botulinum A toxin: 45). At inclusion, there was no significant difference between groups whichever variable was considered. Mean (standard deviation) post-voiding residual urine volume was 217 (96) and 220 (99) ml in placebo and botulinum A toxin groups, respectively. One month later, post-voiding residual urine volume was 206 (145) and 186 (158) ml (p = 0.45) in placebo and botulinum A toxin groups, respectively. However, compared to placebo, botulinum A toxin significantly increased voiding volume (+54%, p = 0.02) and reduced pre-micturition (-29%, p = 0.02) and maximal (-21%, p = 0.02) detrusor pressures. Other secondary urodynamic endpoints and tolerance were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In multiple sclerosis patients with detrusor sphincter dyssynergia, a single injection of botulinum A toxin (100 U Allergan) does not decrease post-voiding residual urine volume.     

电针刺激脊髓损伤患者穴位的脊髓磁共振功能成像激活区特征****☆

背景：研究发现脊髓功能激活区域和电生理等理论对应区域相一致,多数学者认为使用功能磁共振技术检测脊髓神经功能是可行的。 目的：检测电针刺激脊髓损伤患者的脊髓磁共振功能成像激活区特征,验证使用脊髓磁共振功能成像技术来客观评价针灸治疗脊髓损伤疗效的可行性。 方法：使用电针同时刺激3例脊髓损伤患者和5名健康志愿者的右手合谷穴和曲池穴,采用组块设计方法,使用SPM2软件得到患者和健康志愿者脊髓内真实的激活区,分析激活区在矢状位和横断位上的分布特征,并与健康志愿者的激活分布对比,找出患者的激活分布差异。 结果与结论：5名健康志愿者在脊柱C2、C5段均重复出现激活信号,在C6段4名出现激活;3例脊髓损伤患者在脊柱C2,C6段均出现均重复出现激活,其中1例患者与健康志愿者激活分布特征基本一致。可以观察到针灸刺激脊髓损伤患者的脊髓功能激活,因此可以根据功能激活区的分布及强度,在一定程度上客观评价针灸治疗脊髓损伤的疗效。 关键词：磁共振功能成像;脊髓损伤;针灸;穴位;SEEP;数字化图像与影像     

Botulinum toxin A as treatment for drooling saliva in PD

The authors evaluated intraparotid injections of botulinum toxin A in reducing salivary secretions and drooling in nine patients with PD. There was a marked objective reduction in secretion, and two thirds of the patients had subjective improvement in drooling. No side effects were observed. The authors conclude that botulinum toxin A promises to be a simple and effective treatment for the common problem of drooling saliva in chronic neurologic disease.     

Botulinum toxin A in patients with oromandibular dystonia: long-term follow-up

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin A (BTX) in patients with oromandibular dystonia (OMD) and to compare the treatment results of the various subtypes of OMD. BACKGROUND: OMD is one of the most challenging forms of dystonia to treat. Pharmacologic therapies are generally not effective, and there are no surgical alternatives. METHODS: Of 202 patients diagnosed clinically to have OMD in a movement disorders clinic over a period of 10 years, 162 patients satisfied the study inclusion criteria. The masseters and submentalis complex were the only two muscle groups injected with BTX in this group of patients. RESULTS: The mean age was 57.9+/-15.3 years and the mean follow-up period was 4.4+/-3.8 years. More than half the patients had jaw-closing (JC) dystonia. A total of 2,529 BTX treatments were administered into the masseter muscles, submentalis complex, or both during a total of 1,213 treatment visits. The mean doses of BTX (per side) were 54.2+/-15.2 U for the masseters and 28.6+/-16.7 U for the submentalis complex. The mean total duration of response was 16.4+/-7.1 weeks. The mean global effect of BTX was 3.1+/-1.0 (range, 0 to 4, where 4 equals the complete abolition of the dystonia), with the JC dystonia patients responding best. Fifty-one patients (31.5%) reported adverse effects with BTX in at least one visit. Complications such as dysphagia and dysarthria were reported in 135 (11.1%) of all treatment visits. CONCLUSIONS: BTX is a safe and effective long-term treatment for OMD. JC dystonia responds better than jaw-opening or mixed dystonias, and the treatment of the latter types of OMD are more likely associated with dysphagia and dysarthria. Jaw-opening dystonia can be treated successfully by injecting the submentalis complex.     

Botulinum toxin as a novel treatment for self-mutilation in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LNS) is an X-linked recessive disorder resulting from a deficiency of the metabolic enzyme hypozanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT). This syndrome presents with abnormal metabolic and neurological manifestations including hyperuricemia, mental retardation*, spastic cerebral palsy (CP), dystonia, and self-mutilation. The mechanism behind the severe self-mutilating behavior exhibited by patients with LNS is unknown and remains one of the greatest obstacles in providing care to these patients. This report describes a 10-year-old male child with confirmed LNS who was treated for self-mutilation of his hands, tongue, and lips with repeated botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections into the bilateral masseters. Our findings suggest that treatment with BTX-A affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems, resulting in reduced self-abusive behavior in this patient.