Reproducibility (test–retest) of vestibular evoked myogenic potential

IntroductionThere is still no consensus in the literature as to the best acoustic stimulus for capturing vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP). Low-frequency tone bursts are generally more effective than high-frequency, but recent studies still use clicks. Reproducibility is an important analytical parameter to observe the reliability of responses.ObjectiveTo determine the reproducibility of p13 and n23 latency and amplitude of the VEMP for stimuli with different tone-burst frequencies, and to define the best test frequency.MethodsCross-sectional cohort study. VEMP was captured in 156 ears, on the sternocleidomastoid muscle, using 100 tone-burst stimuli at frequencies of 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz, and sound intensity of 95 dB nHL. Responses were replicated, that is, recorded three times on each side.ResultsNo significant difference was observed for p13 and n23 latencies of the VEMP, captured at three moments with tone-burst stimuli at 250, 500, and 1000 Hz. Only the frequency of 2000 Hz showed a difference between captures of this potential (p < 0.001). p13 and n23 amplitude analysis was also similar in the test–retest for all frequencies analyzed.Conclusionp13 and n23 latencies and amplitudes of VEMP for tone-burst stimuli at frequencies of 250, 500, and 1000 Hz are reproducible.     

Dexamethasone as an adjuvant for peripheral nerve blockade: a randomised,triple-blinded crossover study in volunteers

Background

The efficacy of dexamethasone in extending the duration of local anaesthetic block is uncertain. In a randomised controlled triple blind crossover study in volunteers, we tested the hypothesis that neither i.v. nor perineurally administered dexamethasone prolongs the sensory block achieved with ropivacaine.

腮腺切除术中沿面神经总干顺行解剖面神经的效果及安全性

目的探讨腮腺切除术中应用沿面神经总干顺行解剖面神经的治疗效果及安全性。方法选取我院2016年2月至2019年3月收治的60例择期行腮腺切除术的患者,随机分为观察组与对照组各30例。对照组沿面神经总干逆行解剖面神经,观察组沿面神经总干顺行解剖面神经,观察两组患者术后1个月面神经功能及术后并发症发生情况。结果术后1个月,两组患者的面神经功能分级比较无统计学差异(P>0.05);观察组的术后并发症发生率为10.00%,明显低于对照组的33.33%(P <0.05)。结论临床行腮腺切除术中,沿面神经总干顺行解剖面神经可降低术后并发症发生率,值得推广。     

人胚雪旺细胞组织工程神经修复坐骨神经缺损的实验研究

目的：探索人胚雪旺细胞作为组织工程的种子细胞修复周围神经缺损的可行性。方法：通过组织工程方法用PLGA导管和polyglactin 910纤维负载人胚雪旺细胞预先构置好人工神经，然后用于修复大鼠20mm的坐骨神经缺损，并与神经切断后原位缝合以及用单纯的PLGA导管进行修复的实验组进行对照。通过活体肢体功能观察、靶器官肌肉测量、电生理检测、辣根过氧化物酶示踪、连续组织切片图像分析以及透射电镜等检查神经再生情况。结果：人工神经修复组神经再生良好，效果接近于神经原位缝合组，明显优于单纯的PLGA导管修复组。结论：人胚雪旺细胞构建的人工神经可以修复20mm的周围神经缺损。     

Pick’s disease with Pick bodies combined with progressive supranuclear palsy without tuft‐shaped astrocytes: A clinical,neuroradiologic and pathological study of an autopsied case

We report clinical, neuroradiologic features, and neuropathologic findings of a 76‐year‐old man with coexistent Pick’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy. The patient presented with loss of recent memory, abnormal behavior and change in personality at the age of 60. The symptoms were progressive. Three years later, repetitive or compulsive behavior became prominent. About 9 years after onset, he had difficulty moving and became bed‐ridden because of a fracture of his left leg. His condition gradually deteriorated and he developed mutism and became vegetative. The patient died from pneumonia 16 years after the onset of symptoms. Serial MRI scans showed progressive cortex atrophy, especially in the bilateral frontal and temporal lobes. Macroscopic inspection showed severe atrophy of the whole brain, including cerebrum, brainstem and cerebellum. Microscopic observations showed extensive superficial spongiosis and severe neuronal loss with gliosis in the second and third cortical layers in the frontal, temporal and parietal cortex. There were Pick cells and argyrophilic Pick bodies, which were tau‐ and ubiquitin‐positive in neurons of layers II–III of the above‐mentioned cortex. Numerous argyrophilic Pick bodies were observed in the hippocampus, especially in the dentate fascia. In addition, moderate to severe loss of neurons was found with gliosis and a lot of Gallyas/tau‐positive globus neurofibrillary tangles in the caudate nucleus, globus pallidus, thalamus, substantia nigra, locus coeruleus and dentate nucleus. Numerous thorned‐astrocytes and coiled bodies but no‐tuft shaped astrocytes were noted in the basal ganglion, brainstem and cerebellar white matter. In conclusion, these histopathological features were compatible with classical Pick’s disease and coexistence with progressive supranuclear palsy without tuft‐shaped astrocytes.     

超短波对大鼠坐骨神经损伤后脊髓内GAP-43和CGRP表达的影响

目的探讨超短波对坐骨神经损伤后大鼠脊髓中GAP-43和CGRP表达的影响。方法60只成年雌性SD大鼠制成右侧坐骨神经钳夹损伤模型，随机分为超短波治疗组和非治疗对照组。免疫荧光方法观察术后1周、2周、4周、8周和12周不同时间点两组大鼠脊髓中GAP-43和CGRP表达的动态变化规律。结果大鼠坐骨神经损伤后脊髓内GAP-43和CGRPmRNA表达增强。术后1、2、4和8周超短波治疗组的变化与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05），且GAP-43的表达在时间上早于对照组。结论超短波在早期能够明显增加GAP-43和CGRP的表达量，提示早期应用超短波治疗能够促进周围神经的     

Sciatic Neuropathy: Case Report and Discussion of the Literature on Postoperative Sciatic Neuropathy and Sciatic Nerve Tumors

Sciatic nerve injury and dysfunction is not an uncommon cause of lower extremity symptoms in a musculoskeletal practice. We present the case of a man who presented with lower extremity weakness, pain, and cramps, and was initially diagnosed at an outside institution with bilateral S1 radiculopathies and recommended for spine surgery. He came to us for a second opinion. Electrodiagnostic testing revealed an isolated sciatic neuropathy and the patient was referred for imaging, which showed a sciatic nerve sheath tumor. Review of the literature on sciatic neuropathies shows that there can be many possible etiologies of sciatic nerve dysfunction, but that hip arthroplasty continues to be the leading risk factor. Sciatic nerve tumors are not commonly described in the literature and their definitive management remains unclear.