Preliminary study of sural nerve morphological changes in uremic hemodialysis patients using 22‐MHz high‐frequency ultrasound

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasound (US) morphological changes of sural nerves (SNs) of uremic patients on hemodialysis. Methods: Sixty‐six SNs in 33 uremic patients were examined by 22‐MHZ high‐frequency US and routine nerve conduction studies (NCS), and 76 SNs in 38 controls were also examined. Cross‐sectional area (CSA) and maximal fascicular thickness (MFT) of the SNs were measured. Results: The inner parts of the SN were clearly identified in all participants. There were significant increases in CSA and MFT in the patient group (1.86 ± 0.53 mm² and 0.37 ± 0.08 mm, respectively) compared with the control group (1.38 ± 0.25 mm² and 0.32 ± 0.03 mm, respectively) (P < 0.001). Fifty‐seven SNs (86.36%) had abnormal CSAs, and 51 SNs (77.27%) had abnormal MFTs in the patient group, which was higher than NCS abnormalities (66.67%). Conclusions: A 22‐MHZ US can show morphological changes in the SNs of uremic patients and may be a valuable tool. Muscle Nerve, 2012     

Variations of protein C in uremic hemodialysed patients

Protein C has been measured by three different assays (antigenic, amidolytic and chronometric) in 27 end-stage renal insufficient patients before and after hemodialysis. Protein C levels have been compared with other coagulation inhibitors (antithrombin III, protein S) and fibrinolytic parameters. Baseline anticoagulant activity of protein C has been found impaired in eight cases whereas other inhibitors were normal. In four cases, both anticoagulant and antigenic levels were low. In one case, amidolytic method could also found a low activity. Hemodialysis leads to an increase of protein C activity and antigen level. Heparinemia after hemodialysis does not interfere with the chronometric measurement of protein C anticoagulant activity. Total protein level, hematocrit, protein S and antithrombin III are also elevated after hemodialysis. Baseline fibrinolytic parameters are normal and remain unchanged after hemodialysis. The clinical relevance of such modifications is discussed.     

Analysis of F-wave in metabolic neuropathies: a comparative study in uremic and diabetic patients

Motor nerve conduction study along the entire length of the ulnar and tibialis posterior nerves was carried out in 30 diabetics compared with 30 uremic patients and 30 control subjects. The conduction in the proximal and the distal nerve segments was evaluated by the determination of the M and F latencies, MNCV (between the stimulus sites), FWCV (between the spinal cord and the stimulus sites), and F-ratio (conduction time ratio of proximal to distal segment). In both groups of patients the lower limbs appear much more involved than the upper, where the ulnar nerve is more commonly affected in uremic than in diabetic patients. In diabetic neuropathy the motor conduction abnormalities are diffuse over the total length of the nerve, but more marked distally in the ulnar nerve.     

A comparative study of brain atrophy by computerized tomography in chronic renal failure and chronic hemodialysis

Measurement of the cerebral ventricular system, by means of computerized tomography, was performed in 25 patients suffering from end-stage chronic renal failure (ESCRF) and in 45 undergoing chronic hemodialysis (CH), in order to estimate the degree of brain atrophy. Significant enlargement of the ventricular size was found in both groups in comparison with the controls, with the greatest enlargement in the group of patients undergoing hemodialysis. This ventricular enlargement expresses the degree of brain atrophy, which in the patients with ESCRF may be due to the metabolic factors of the renal disease and in the hemodialysed patients, to aluminum toxicity.     

138例糖尿病患者神经电图分析

目的探讨2型糖尿病患者周围神经病变(DPN)的神经电生理特点及其与病程的关系。方法连续记录138例血糖控制良好的糖尿病患者神经电图(包括感觉神经传导速度SCV和运动神经传导速度MCV)的检测结果,并根据糖尿病病程将其分组进行比较。结果共检测周围神经1669条,异常神经313条(18.75%),下肢异常率(132/530,24.9%)明显高于上肢(59/517,11.4%)(P<0.0001),感觉神经(122/622,19.6%)与运动神经(191/1047,18.2%)受累无差异(P=0.5665);糖尿病病程10年以上者运动、感觉神经异常率(24.3%,33%)明显高于病程小于10年组(14.2%,14%)(P<0.001)。病程大于10年组神经传导速度均较病程小于10年组减慢,正中神经、胫后神经运动传导速度和尺神经、腓肠神经感觉传导速度有统计学意义(P<0.05);除尺神经外所查运动神经近远端复合肌肉动作电位波幅(CAMP)病程≥10年组均明显低于病程<10年组。结论尽管受检时血糖控制良好,但依然有周围神经电生理异常变化。2型糖尿病患者下肢神经传导异常率高于上肢,尤以运动神经明显。病程是糖尿病周围神经损害的危险因素,随着病程增加神经传导异常率和损伤严重程度增高。     

Vibratory perception threshold compared with nerve conduction velocity in the evaluation of uremic neuropathy

Clinical signs of neuropathy, vibratory perception thresholds, nerve conduction velocities, and distal motor latencies were compared in 81 patients with chronic renal failure. During treatment with low protein diets (LPD), the vibratory thresholds correlated better with the clinical grading of the neuropathy than did the conduction velocities or the distal motor latencies, while during hemodialysis (HD), the situation was the reverse. The vibratory threshold on the foot was the single most useful test, since it correlated with the clinical grading of the neuropathy both during LPD and HD, and both between and within patients.     

糖尿病周围神经病运动神经传导速度分布

目的分析早期糖尿病周围神经病运动神经传导速度分布特点。方法对60例早期糖尿病周围神经病患者进行临床观察及神经系统查体,常规测定运动及感觉神经传导速度,运用计算机辅助对冲方法测定运动神经传导速度分布范围,并与10名健康志愿者的检测结果进行比照。结果正中神经最慢速度(CV10%)为(46.7±5.7)m/s、中等速度(CV50%)为(50.6±5.2)m/s、最快速度(CV90%)为(53.4±5.0)m/s;尺神经CV10%为(47.4±5.6)m/s、CV50%为(51.6±5.3)m/s、CV90%为(55.0±5.4)m/s;腓总神经CV10%为(34.9±5.4)m/s、CV50%为(39.2±4.6)m/s、CV90%为(42.7±4.7)m/s。除正中神经和尺神经的CV10%及所有检测神经的CV50%外,60例患者与健康人的结果均数比较差异有统计学意义。结论运动神经速度分布峰值左移,各级速度纤维传导均减慢。各级纤维非均匀损害,快传导速度纤维优先受累最常见。运动神经速度分布检测比常规运动传导测定更敏感、稳定,可用于糖尿病周围神经病早期诊断和发现亚临床病变。     

Issue & Opinions. Are nerve conduction studies useful for monitoring the adequacy of renal dialysis?

When hemodialysis was first used clinically, a peripheral neuropathy frequently emerged. The discovery that sufficient dialysis time would prevent the emergence of symptomatic neuropathy led to the routine use of nerve conduction studies (NCS) to monitor the ?adequacy”? of dialysis. Modern dialysis practice has evolved since then, and the patient populationis markedly different. This report addresses the question of whether there is evidence to indicate that routine use of NCS is helpful to monitor the adequacy of present-day dialysis. A critical review of the available literature reveals that there is insufficient evidence to allow one to answer the question. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Vibrameter testing facilitates the diagnosis of uremic and alcoholic polyneuropathy

The diagnostic sensitivity of Vibrameter and tuning fork examination towards uremic and alcoholic neuropathy was tested in 75 patients. In 40 uremic and 35 alcoholic patients, we compared the sensitivity of neurological examination, nerve conduction studies (NCS) and vibration thresholds assessed at the malleoli by means of Vibrameter and scaled tuning fork. Vibrameter results were correlated with NCS. Polyneuropathy was diagnosed in 52 patients, but in 16 patients diagnosis depended upon inclusion of Vibrameter testing in the examination protocol. In uremic patients, Vibrameter (47.5%) showed abnormalities as often as NCS (45%), and more often than clinical (32.5%) or tuning fork examination (2.5%). In alcoholic patients, Vibrameter revealed abnormalities more often (60%) than NCS (34.3%) or tuning fork (14.3%). Correlations between NCS and vibratory thresholds were low (−0.52 Rs −0.35). Vibrameter studies are far more sensitive than tuning fork tests. The technique complements NCS and refines the diagnosis of uremic and alcoholic neuropathies.     

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) activity in uremic patients during hemodialysis

We studied tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) activity during hemodialysis in 10 uremic patients who were not receiving anticoagulant for at least 120 minutes. TFPI activity before dialysis was normal (patients 107 ± 5.8%, controls 104 ± 4.5%). During extracorporeal circuit it rose progressively with a statistically significant difference, reaching a plateau between 60 and 120 minutes. Since thrombin induces a marked redistribution and release of TFPI from stimulated endothelial cells and platelets contain about 10% of TFPI activity that is secreted following activation it is possible that thrombin-induced release of TFPI by endothelium and platelets could account for the increased TFPI we found during hemodialysis. To investigate this possibility we measured during dialysis β-thromboglobulin (β-TG), thrombinantithrombin complex (TAT) and prothrombin fragment 1.2 (F 1.2). The increased levels of β-TG, TAT and F1.2 we noted during extracorporeal circuit are in keeping with this concept.

One hundred eighty minutes after initiation of dialysis, by which time all patients were receiving heparin there was a further increase in TFPI (to more than 200% of baseline), due to the presence of the glycosaminoglycan. This was due the previously reported displacement by heparin of the major intravascular pool of TFPI, from endothelial cell surfaces.     

Peripheral nerve conductions in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate with Elektromioneurografija (EMNG) whether there is any affection on peripheral nerves in (RRMS) patients.Material and MethodMotor and sensory nerve conductions were studied in the control group including 33 RRMS patients and 25 healthy individuals. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, mean annual attack frequency, duration of disease and treatments of RRMS patients were recorded.ResultsThere was a statistically significant (p < 0.05) elongation in motor distal latency of the right peroneal nerve, slowing in the left peroneal nerve conduction velocity, and an elongation in the F-wave response in the RRMS group compared to the control group. It was observed that motor nerve conduction velocities were slower, albeit not statistically significant, and F wave latencies were longer than control group.ConclusionThere are studies in the literature related to the association between MS and peripheral neuropathy. In this study, we found demyelinating type changes, differing significantly from the control group, in motor nerve conductions in RRMS patients. There may be demyelinating type affection in peripheral nervous system with common autoimmune mechanism in MS, a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.     

神经传导速度检测诊断酒精性周围神经病的价值

目的探讨神经传导速度(NCV)对慢性酒精中毒性周围神经病(CAPN)的诊断价值。方法采用肌电图检测52例CAPN患者的正中神经、尺神经、腓神经和胫神经的NCV,并与26例健康者进行对照比较。结果CAPN患者的NCV异常率为73.12%,明显高于对照组;下肢NCV异常率(80.77%)高于上肢异常率(76.47%);感觉神经传导速度(SCV)异常率(82.73%)高于运动神经传导速度(MCV)异常率(75.26%)。结论NCV检测可作为酒精中毒性周围神经病的方法之一。     

糖尿病患者周围神经传导速度的研究

目的:通过周围神经传导速度(NCV)的研究,早期诊断糖尿病(DM)患者的糖尿病性周围神经病变。方法:应用上海海军医学研究所NDI-200F神经电检诊仪,对DM组95例患者行尺神经、正中神经、胫神经和腓神经运动传导速度(MCV)及尺神经、正中神经、腓肠神经感觉传导速度(SCV)检测与30例健康人组对照。结果:DM组95例, NCV异常率为77.89%(74/95)。共检测665条神经,MCV380条,异常率55.26%,SCV285条,异常率50.88%,差异无显著性意义(P>0.05)。上肢检测380条神经,异常率45.53%,下肢检测285条神经,异常率63.86%,差异有显著性意义(P<0.05)。DM组SCV波幅减低率为53.66%。DM组按病程分为三组,<5年,30例,异常率28.10%;≥5年,31 例,异常率为54.84%;≥10年,34例,异常率74.37%,组间差异均有非常显著性意义(P<0.01)。DM组中29例无周围神经病变症状与体征,NCV异常11例(37.93%)。结论:周围神经传导速度检测不但可以早期诊断糖尿病患者的糖尿病性周围神经病变,而且此方法可靠、简便、无创。     

Assessment of nerve excitability in toxic and metabolic neuropathies

Abstract   Measurement of nerve excitability by threshold tracking provides complementary information to conventional nerve conduction studies and may be used to infer the activity of a variety of ion channels, energy-dependent pumps, and ion exchange processes activated during the process of impulse conduction. This review highlights recent clinical excitability studies that have suggested mechanisms for nerve involvement in a range of metabolic and toxic neuropathies. While clinical nerve excitability studies are still in their infancy, and it is too early to know whether they have diagnostic value, there is growing evidence of their utility to provide novel insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in a variety of neuropathic disturbances.     

Evaluation of peripheral nerve conduction and central visual conduction in chronic alcoholics and in chronic alcoholics after prolonged abstention

Classic statistical method (mean, standard deviation, variance) were used to analyze peripheral nerve conduction tests and visual evoked potentials in 13 chronic alcoholics and in 11 chronic alcoholics who had abstained for at least one year, in order to assess the repercussions of alcohol on the PNS and on the visual pathways and their reversibility. The sensory fibers were more affected than the motor fibers, and while the damage to the motor fibers was transient the damage to the sensory fibers was permanent and also significantly different, at least in the early stages, in the two lower limbs. Our results showed constant involvement, without clinical symptoms, of the visual potential, especially of the earliest component N70 and of the amplitude of the response. This would suggest greater involvement of the peripheral visual nervous structures, that is retino-geniculo-cortical, than of the more properly cortical structures, though these are also affected. For the visual damage too withdrawal of alcohol seems to determine a regression, though only partial, of the neurophisiological changes. The simultaneous involvement of VEP and peripheral nerve function is at variance with the assertion that optic nerve damage is a very rare event in alcoholism.

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Sommario Sono stati analizzati con i metodi statistici classici (media, deviazione standard, varianza) i risultati dei test di funzionalità della conduzione nervosa periferica ed i potenziali evocati visivi di 13 soggetti alcoolisti cronici e di 11 soggetti alcoolisti cronici astinenti da almeno 1 anno, al fine di valutare sia la ripercussione dell'alcool sul SNP che sulle vie visive, sia la eventuale reversibilità dei danni da esso procurati. I dati della nostra ricerca confermano un maggior interessamento delle fibre sensitive rispetto alle fibre motorie; tale interessamento mentre è transitorio nelle fibre motorie, è stabile nelle fibre sensitive ed anche significativamente diverso, almeno nelle prime fasi, nei due arti inferiori. I nostri risultati inoltre mostrano un interessamento costante, senza sintomatologia clinica, del potenziale visivo, soprattutto della componente più precoce N₇₀e dell'ampiezza della risposta. Ciò farebbe pensare ad un interessamento preminente delle strutture nervose visive periferiche, cioè retino-genicolo-corticali, rispetto alle strutture più propriamente corticali pur esse alterate. Anche per la patologia visiva la sospensione dell'ingestione di alcool determinerebbe una regressione, sia pur parziale delle alterazioni neurofisiologiche. In conclusione l'interessamento contemporaneo sia del PEV che dei test di funzionalià nervosa periferica tende a smentire la affermazione che la lesione del nervo ottico sia un evento molto raro nella patologia alcoolica.

     

Subperineurial space of the sural nerve in various peripheral nerve diseases

Summary The size of the subperineurial space of the sural nerve has been evaluated quantitatively in 69 cases of various peripheral nerve diseases and in controls. A significant increase was found in beriberi neuropathy (6 cases) and idiopathic polyradiculoneuropathy (9 cases) as compared with the control (8 cases). On electron microscopy a few macrophages, fibroblast processes, collagen fibrils with a diameter of 50 nm, microfibrils with a diameter of 8 nm, and amorphous material were observed in both the enlarged subperineurial space and the endoneurial intercellular space. They were less frequently observed in controls. No significant correlation was found between the size of subperineurial space and the density of myelinated fibers.     

Heterogeneity of root and nerve ultrasound pattern in CIDP patients

ObjectiveThe few published ultrasound (US) studies on chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) report diffusely increased cross-sectional area (CSA) of nerves. The data are, however, heterogeneous and correlations with clinical history or disease severity are lacking.MethodsThirty-four patients with CIDP underwent US nerve evaluation by two neurologists blinded to clinical data. US nerve pattern for each patient was defined by a third neurologist blinded to clinical data. Three US classes were identified based on CSA and echogenicity: large nerves with hypoechoic nerves/fascicles (class 1); large nerves with heterogeneous hypo- and hyperechoic fascicles (class 2); normal size nerve but abnormal hyperechoic array (class 3).ResultsIn all patients, US nerve changes were observed: in most of the cases, enlarged nerves or nerve segments were observed. The three ‘classes’ of US nerve changes significantly correlated (R: 0.68, p < 0.001) with disease duration, but not with age or Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability score.ConclusionsUS may be of adjunctive diagnostic value in CIDP assessment. Nerve morphological changes may mirror the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and seem to correlate with disease duration.SignificanceThese results offer the possibility of exploring the use of US to assess CIDP disease activity and treatment.     

Ulnar nerve conduction abnormalities in carpal tunnel syndrome

Introduction: The aim of this study was to verify the involvement of ulnar nerve fibers in cases of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and investigate the correlation between ulnar nerve conduction parameters and extra‐median spread of symptoms. Methods: Electrophysiological studies were conducted in 93 CTS and 76 control hands. Patients were analyzed with regard to symptoms in the fifth finger. Results: In the CTS cases, ulnar distal motor latency (DML) and distal sensory latency (DSL) were significantly longer, and amplitudes were lower than in controls. Increased median nerve DML correlated with increased ulnar nerve DSL and decreased sensory amplitudes and conduction velocities (SCVs). In cases with symptoms in the fifth finger, ulnar nerve SCVs and amplitudes were lower than in patients without symptoms. Conclusions: Pathological processes leading to median neuropathy in CTS may affect ulnar nerve motor and sensory fibers in the Guyon canal. This may explain the extra‐median spread of sensory symptoms in CTS patients. Muscle Nerve 44: 352–357, 2011     

Psychological effects of aromatherapy on chronic hemodialysis patients

Effects of aromatherapy (odorless condition, lavender, and hiba oil) on mood and anxiety were investigated in 14 female patients who were being treated with chronic hemodialysis. A control period consisting of natural hospital smells was established before each test session, and then aromatic test conditions were systematically evaluated for odorless conditions as well as aromatic conditions containing lavender and hiba oil aromas. The effects of aromatherapy were measured using the Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD) and the Hamilton rating scale for anxiety (HAMA). Hiba oil aroma significantly decreased the mean scores of HAMD and HAMA, and lavender aroma significantly decreased the mean scores of HAMA. The mean scores of HAMD and HAMA in an odorless condition were not significantly different from those of the control conditions. These results indicate that in chronic hemodialysis patients hiba oil is an effective, non-invasive means for the treatment of depression and anxiety, and that lavender alleviates anxiety.     

Morphometric study of the sensory neuron and peripheral nerve changes induced by chronic cisplatin (DDP) administration in rats

Summary We performed a morphological, morphometric and toxicological study on the spinal ganglia and peripheral nerves of the rat after chronic administration of cisplatin (cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum II; DDP) with two different schedules. Severe damage of the spinal ganglia neurons was demonstrated with predominant involvement of the nucleus and nucleolus associated with a decrease in the cell size. Morphological and morphometric changes also occurred in the sciatic and peroneal nerves with the features of axonopathy. All these changes were more marked in the group of rats which underwent the most intense DDP treatment and the tissue platinum concentrations were also higher in this group. This experimental model is the first available for chronic DDP administration in which concomitant spinal ganglia and peripheral nerve damage has been confirmed pathologically. Our study supports the hypothesis that DDP-induced peripheral nerve fiber degeneration may result from nuclear and nucleolar changes in the sensory ganglion cell perikaryon.Supported by the grant no. 91.00220.PF41 from the Italian National Research Council (CNR)-targeted project Prevention and control disease factors