A Very Long-term Longitudinal Study on the Evolution and Clinical Outcomes of Persistent Iatrogenic Atrial Septal Defect After Cryoballoon Ablation

Background

Persistent iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) is a common but poorly characterized complication after cryoballoon (CB) pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) procedures. We therefore investigate its prevalence, evolution, risk factors, and clinical outcomes in a prospective longitudinal study.

Outcomes after occupational therapy intervention for traumatic brachial plexus injury: A prospective longitudinal cohort study

Study DesignProspective longitudinal cohort study.IntroductionTraumatic brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) can be devastating and negatively impact daily function and quality of life. Occupational therapists play an important role in rehabilitation; however, studies identifying outcomes are lacking.PurposeThis study aims to describe outcomes including motor recovery, upper limb function, participation, pain, and quality of life for people receiving occupational therapy intervention.MethodsA convenience sample of English-speaking adults (n = 30) with a traumatic BPI, attending the clinic between December 1, 2014, to November 30, 2016, participated. Participants received occupational therapy focusing on sensorimotor retraining and activity-based rehabilitation. Data on active range of motion (goniometry), strength (Medical Research Council (MRC)), upper-limb function (UEFI15, QuickDASH), participation (PSFS), pain (Brief Pain Inventory), and quality of life (EQ-5D-3L) were collected at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.ResultsElbow flexion strength showed significant improvement at all time-points, average increase 2.17 (MRC) (95% confidence interval: 1.29-3.04; P < .001) and mean final MRC grading 3.86 (standard error: 0.44). Significant improvements at 12 months were seen in: shoulder abduction strength and range, flexion strength and range, external rotation range; elbow extension strength and flexion range; thumb flexion and extension strength. Upper limb function (QuickDASH) showed significant improvement (mean change = 18.85; 95% confidence interval: 4.12-33.59; P = .02). Forearm protonation range and finger flexion strength were significantly worse. Remaining outcomes did not show significant improvement.ConclusionsOccupational therapy with surgical intervention can improve strength, range, and upper limb function with people following traumatic BPI. Further investigations into impact on participation, pain, and quality of life are required.     

Inherited focal, episodic neuropathies

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP; also called tomaculous neuropathy) is an autosomal-dominant disorder that produces a painless episodic, recurrent, focal demyelinating neuropathy. HNPP generally develops during adolescence, and may cause attacks of numbness, muscular weakness, and atrophy. Peroneal palsies, carpal tunnel syndrome, and other entrapment neuropathies may be frequent manifestations of HNPP. Motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities may be reduced in clinically affected patients, as well as in asymptomatic gene carriers. The histopathological changes observed in peripheral nerves of HNPP patients include segmental demyelination and tomaculous or “sausage-like” formations. Mild overlap of clinical features with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease type 1 (CMT1) may lead patients with HNPP to be misdiagnosed as having CMT1. HNPP and CMT1 are both demyelinating neuropathies, however, their clinical, pathological, and electrophysiological features are quite distinct. HNPP is most frequently associated with a 1.4-Mb pair deletion on chromosome 17p12. A duplication of the identical region leads to CMT1A. Both HNPP and CMT1A result from a dosage effect of the PMP22 gene, which is contained within the deleted/duplicated region. This is reflected in reduced mRNA and protein levels in sural nerve biopsy samples from HNPP patients. Treatment for HNPP consists of preventative and symptom-easing measures. Hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy (HNA; also called familial brachial plexus neuropathy) is an autosomal-dominant disorder causing episodes of paralysis and muscle weakness initiated by severe pain. Individuals with HNA may suffer repeated episodes of intense pain, paralysis, and sensory disturbances in an affected limb. The onset of HNA is at birth or later in childhood with prognosis for recovery usually favorable; however, persons with HNA may have permanent residual neurological dysfunction following attack(s). Episodes are often triggered by infections, immunizations, the puerperium, and stress. Electrophysiological studies show normal or mildly prolonged motor nerve conduction velocities distal to the affected brachial plexus. Pathological studies have found axonal degeneration in nerves examined distal to the plexus abnormality. In some HNA pedigrees there are characteristic facial features, including hypotelorism. The prognosis for recovery of normal function of affected limbs in HNA is good, although recurrent episodes may cause residual deficits. HNA is genetically linked to chromosome 17q25, where mutations in the septin-9 (SEPT9) gene have been found.     

臂丛神经阻滞加用地塞米松和小剂量吗啡用于术后镇痛的效果观察

目的 观察臂丛神经阻滞的局麻药液中加入地塞米松和小剂量吗啡用于术后镇痛的效果和副作用。方法 80例患者随机分为A、B、C、D四组。全部用肌间沟法臂丛神经阻滞，A组（n=20)注入0.5%布比卡因、2%利多卡因等量混合液25ml；B组（n=20)注入A组用药加地塞米松10mg(2ml)；C组（n=20)注入A组用药加吗啡2mg(0.2ml)；D组（n=20)注入A组用药加地塞米松10mg(2ml)、吗啡2mg(0.2ml)。结果 B、C、D组与A组相比起效时间显著缩短、镇痛时间显著延长，差异非常显著（P＜0.01)；而D组和B、C组相比镇痛时间又明显延长，差异非常显著（P＜0.01)；C组中有1例（5％）因发生恶心呕吐，其余多组无并发症发生。结论 臂丛神经阻滞的局麻药液中加入地塞米松和小剂量吗啡用于术后镇痛，镇痛时间长，效果可靠，副作用少，操作方便，经济实用。     

臂丛神经闭合性损伤和肿瘤的超声诊断

目的探讨高频超声在诊断臂丛神经闭合性损伤和肿瘤中的价值。方法用高频超声检查和诊断6例创伤性臂丛神经损伤与3例臂丛神经肿瘤，随机选择12例健康成年人作为正常对照组，观察臂丛神经的正常超声图像。结果高频超声显示斜角肌间隙和锁骨下动脉是臂丛神经检查的重要解剖标志，正常臂丛神经长轴显示多条线性平行回声，短轴呈圆形中等回声，内有点状弱回声，C5-7和上、中干显示率为100％（12／12），C8、T1和下干显示率为83．3％（10／12）。6例臂丛神经损伤显示神经增粗水肿，部分正常束状回声消失或不连续，内部点线回声不清，呈略低回声与周围软组织粘连。3例臂丛神经肿瘤显示为实性瘤样低回声与臂丛神经相连续，其内有血流信号，其中2例为超声检查最早诊断。结论高频超声可作为检查臂丛神经闭合性损伤和肿瘤的首选方法，值得临床推广应用。     

神经根修复时间对脊髓前角运动神经元存活的影响

目的评价神经根修复时间对脊髓前角运动神经元存活的影响。方法采用大鼠颈。神经根性撕脱伤和椎孔外切断实验动物模型，根据动物神经根损伤类型和损伤后修复时间分为A、B、C、D四组，每组16只。A、C组分别将撕脱与切断的神经根即刻回植入脊髓和于椎孔外直接吻合，B、D组将撕脱和椎孔外切断的神经根旷置3周后再重复上述手术。分别于神经根撕脱和椎孔外切断术后3周、3个月、6个月取材。应用组织病理活检、免疫组化技术及神经示踪技术，对神经中枢及吻合口下段神经干检查，观察脊髓病理改变和轴突再生情况，进行A、B组和C、D组间对比。结果臂丛神经根性损伤即刻修复组脊髓前角运动神经元和尼氏体数目、形态、减少程度及周围再生神经纤维数目、发育程度均优于损伤后3周修复组。结论神经根早期修复对脊髓前角运动神经元有明确的保护作用，对外周神经再生有促进作用。     

重复腋路臂丛麻醉不同穿刺定位法的效果比较

目的：观察应用不同穿刺定位法施行重复腋路臂丛阻滞麻醉效果。方法：３２４例随机分为两组，在局麻药浓度、容量相同的情况下，Ａ组采用一针穿刺单次给药逐次移位定向挤压法，１６２例中，臂丛阻滞７３０次；Ｂ组采用一针穿刺单次给药法，１６２例中，臂丛阻滞６７０次。结果：在诱导时间、维持时间和阻滞完全方面，Ａ组均明显优于Ｂ组。结论：臂丛神经处于椎前筋膜及其延续的筋膜间隙中，因此，一针穿刺单次给药能获得有效的阻滞。     

神经移位修复臂丛神经根性撕脱伤

１９８７年７月～１９９４年６月，对２１例臂丛神经根性撕脱伤采用神经移位修复。其中复合移位４组神经（膈神经、副神经、颈丛运动支、肋间神经）者１例，３组（膈神经、副神经、颈丛运动支）者６例，２组（膈神经、副神经）者９例，１组（膈神经或颈丛运动支或肋间神经）者５例。术中发现臂丛神经变异１例，对４例合并锁骨下动脉损伤者，在神经移位的同时进行血管修复，促进患肢的血液循环，有利于神经的康复。随访到１９例，随访时间为８个月～６年２个月，优良率达７３．７％。认为，神经移位术是修复神经根性撕裂伤的常规方法，合并血管损伤者也应同时修复，对促进神经功能恢复有利     

健侧C7移位至桡神经治疗全臂丛神经根性撕脱伤改良术的解剖学基础

目的寻求健侧C7神经根移位治疗全臂丛神经根性撕脱伤手术中尺神经与桡神经的最佳吻合部位。方法在10具20侧福尔马林固定的成人尸体上肢标本上观察桡神经及其肱三头肌肌支的解剖学特征;尺神经的解剖学特征;尺神经不同水平与对侧颈根部的距离。结果桡神经从后侧束发出部位到发出肱三头肌长头的第一支肌支之间的距离为(8.2±1.4)cm,从发出长头的第一个肌支部位到外侧头最后一个肌支发出部位之间的距离为(4.8±0.7)cm。尺神经肘部以上几乎无分支,尺神经在发出部位的直径为(6.7±0.6)mm;在肘部的直径为(6.3±0.5)mm;在腕部的直径为(4.0±0.4)mm;从锁骨下尺神经发出部位到肘部的长度为(29.0±2.6)cm;从锁骨下尺神经发出点到对侧颈根部的距离为(18.0±1.8)cm。结论健侧C7神经根移位修复桡神经,尺神经与桡神经的最佳吻合部位是锁骨下区,在此部位吻合不但能保证肱三头肌功能恢复,而且大大缩短桥接神经的长度。