Neuralgic amyotrophy with multiple hourglass-like constrictions of anterior interosseous nerve: a case report.

Hourglass-like constrictions (HLCs) of peripheral nerves in the upper extremity were a rare form of neuralgic amyotrophy, often characterized by the sudden onset of pain in the shoulder or arm, followed by muscle weakness and amyotrophy, with limited sensory involvement. We present a case of multiple HLCs of the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) in a 22-year-old female with left upper arm pain, finger numbness, and limited activity for 1 month. Physical examination showed weakness of the left index flexor digitorum profundus and flexor pollicis longus, with mild hypoesthesia in the first three fingers and the radial half of the ring finger. Electromyography suggested a median nerve (mainly AIN) lesion. Ultrasonographic imaging of the median nerve shows AIN bundle swelling and multiple HLCs at left upper arm. Despite conservative treatment, which included 15 days of steroid pulse therapy, Etoricoxib, and oral mecobalamin, the patient still complained of extreme pain at night without relief of any symptoms. Operation was recommended for this patient with thorough concerns of surgical advantages and disadvantages. During surgery, a total of 7 HLCs were found in her median nerve along and above the elbow joint. Only Interfascicular neurolysis was performed because the nerve constrictions were still in the early stage. The pain was almost relieved the next day. One month after surgery, she could bend her thumb and index fingers, although they were still weak. 4 months after the surgery, she was able to bend affected fingers, with muscle strength M3 level. At the same time, her fingers had fewer numbness symptoms. There was still controversy regarding treatment strategy; however, early diagnosis and surgical treatment for nerve HLCs might be a better choice to promote nerve recovery.

Spinal anesthesia for L5-S1 interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to report our experience with spinal anesthesia (SA) in patients undergoing L5-S1 interlaminar endoscopic lumbar discectomy (IELD) and clarify its advantages and disadvantages. METHODS: One hundred twelve patients who underwent IELD for an L5-S1 disc herniation under SA were retrospectively analyzed. SA with 0.5% ropivacaine was administered using a 27-gauge fine needle. Intraoperatively, the volume and level of SA, surgical time, blood loss, and cardiopulmonary complications were documented. Postoperative data was collected included the number of patients who ambulated on the day of surgery, incidence of complications and were then statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Analgesia was complete throughout the entire operation in all patients and no other adjuvant intraoperative analgesic drugs were needed. Mean visual analog scale scores for intraoperative and early postoperative (24 h) pain were 0 and 2.43 ± 1.66. SA was administered at the L3-4 interspace in 34 patients (30.4%) and the L2-3 interspace in 78 (69.6%). Administration was successful with the first attempt in all patients. Mean operation time was 70.12 ± 6.52 min. Mean intraoperative blood loss volume was 20.71 ± 5.26 ml. Ninety-eight patients ambulated on the same day as surgery. Mean length of hospital stay was 24.36 ± 3.64 h. Dural injury without damaging the nerve root occurred in one patient. One patient experienced recurrent disc herniation. Intraoperative hypotension and respiratory distress occurred in five (4.5%) and three (2.7%) patients, respectively. Three patients (2.7%) received postoperative analgesia therapy and two (1.8%) experienced nausea. Two patients (1.8%) developed urinary retention. Spinal headache, cauda equina syndrome, and neurotoxicity did not occur. CONCLUSION: SA can achieve satisfactory pain control for patients undergoing IELD with a low incidence of adverse events. SA may be a useful alternative to local and general anesthesia for IELD surgery. Future randomized controlled trials are warranted to investigate.

Comparison of 3 treatment methods for midshaft clavicle fractures: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Our study aims to evaluate the fracture nonunion rate and the functional score of plate and screw fixation, intramedullary nailing and non-surgical treatment in midshaft clavicle fractures patients using a network meta-analysis of data from clinical randomized controlled trials. MATERIAL/METHODS: The studies were abstracted from Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. RCTs meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. Statistical analyses were conducted using Stata software, version 14.0 (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas, USA). RESULTS: 24 randomized controlled trials involving 2161 participants were included. The studies were published between 2007 and 2019. A total of 3 treatment methods-plate and screw fixation, intramedullary nailing and non-surgical treatment- were included in the literature. The treatments were ranked based on the Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve (SUCRA) probability. In terms of the constant score, the treatment methods were ranked as follows: intramedullary nailing, plate and screw fixation and non-surgical treatment. In terms of the DASH index, the treatment methods were ranked as follows: intramedullary nailing, plate and screw fixation and non-surgical treatment. In terms of the nonunion rate, the treatment methods were ranked as follows: intramedullary nailing, plate and screw fixation and non-surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Non-surgical treatment has a high rate of nonunion for clavicular fractures with obvious displacement and notable comminution. Surgical treatment reduces the nonunion rate leads to better functional scores at long-term follow-up, although there may be no significant clinical differences. The fracture nonunion rate of plate screw fixation group and intramedullary nail group was low and the functional prognosis was similar. More RCTs focused on clavicular fractures are needed to further substantiate this conclusion.

Multiple comparisons of the efficacy and safety for six treatments in Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture patients: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The choice of the best therapeutic regimen for Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture (AATR) remains controversial. Our study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of therapeutic regimens in AATR patients using a network meta-analysis of data from clinical randomized controlled trials. MATERIAL/METHODS: The studies were abstracted from Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. RCTs meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. Statistical analyses were conducted using Stata software, version 14.0 (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas, USA). RESULTS: 38 randomized controlled trials involving 2480 participants were included. The studies were published between 1981 and 2019. A total of 6 therapeutic regimens -open repair (OR), minimally invasive repair (MIR) and nonoperative treatment (non) combined with traditional standard rehabilitation (TSR) and accelerated functional rehabilitation (AFR) - were included in the literature. The treatments were ranked based on the Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve (SUCRA) probability. In terms of the re-rupture rate, the therapeutic regimens were ranked as follows: OR&AFR, OR&TSR, MIR&AFR, MIR&TSR, nonoperative treatment &AFR and nonoperative treatment &TSR. In terms of the wound-related complication, the therapeutic regimens were ranked as follows: MIR&AFR, nonoperative treatment &AFR, MIR&TSR, nonoperative treatment &TSR, OR&AFR and OR&TSR. In terms of the sural nerve injury, the therapeutic regimens were ranked as follows: non, OR and MIR. In terms of the deep venous thrombosis, the therapeutic regimens were ranked as follows: MIR&AFR, OR&AFR, nonoperative treatment &AFR, OR&TSR, MIR&TSR and nonoperative treatment &TSR. In terms of the returning back to sport, the therapeutic regimens were ranked as follows: MIR&TSR, OR&AFR, OR&TSR, nonoperative treatment &AFR, nonoperative treatment &TSR and MIR&AFR. CONCLUSIONS: MIR can repair the ruptured Achilles tendon and narrow the tendon gap with low risk of complications. AFR is superior to TSR without increasing the risk of rerupture. MIR&AFR is the best therapeutic regime for AATR. More RCTs focused on AATR are needed to further indicate this conclusion.

Comparison of 5 Treatment Approaches for Displaced Intra-articular Calcaneal Fractures: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis.

The choice of the best treatment method for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACFs) remains controversial. Using a network meta-analysis, this study aims to evaluate the radiographic characteristics, clinical effectiveness, and incision complications of nonoperative treatment, open reduction and internal fixation, minimally invasive reduction, and fixation. The studies were abstracted from Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. Statistical analyses were conducted using Stata software. Seventeen RCTs involving 1297 participants with 1354 fractures were included. A total of 5 treatments-extensile lateral approach (ELA), minimally invasive longitudinal approach (MILA), sinus tarsi approach (STA), percutaneous reduction and fixation (PRF), and nonoperative treatment-were analyzed. The treatments were ranked based on Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve (SUCRA) probability. In terms of recovery of Böhler's angle, the treatments were ranked as follows: MILA (75.3%), PRF (68.3%), ELA (54.7%), STA (51.6%), and nonoperative (0%). In terms of Böhler's angle after treatment, the treatments were ranked as follows: PRF (65.3%), ELA (64.0%), STA (63.5%), MILA (56.9%), and nonoperative (0.2%). In terms of American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society score, the treatments were ranked as follows: PRF (87.0%), MILA (52.9%), STA (46.6%), ELA (40.4%), and nonoperative (23.1%). In terms of excellent and good satisfaction ratings, the treatments were ranked as follows: STA (96.2%), ELA (66.8%), PRF (34.9%), and nonoperative (2%). In terms of incision complications, the treatments were ranked as follows: PRF (84.1%), MILA (80.0%), STA (35.8%), and ELA (0.1%). Given the good results of the minimally invasive approach in terms of radiographic characteristics, clinical effectiveness and incision complications, the minimally invasive approach is a good alternative for DIACFs. More randomized controlled trials focused on DIACFs are needed to further examine this conclusion.

Nomilin targets the Keap1-Nrf2 signalling and ameliorates the development of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a long-term and inflammatory disorder featured by cartilage erosion. Here, we describe nomilin (NOM), a triterpenoid with inflammation modulatory properties in variety of disorders. In this study, we demonstrated the latent mechanism of NOM in alleviating the progress of OA both in vitro and in vivo studies. The results showed that NOM pre-treatment suppressed the IL-1ß-induced over-regulation of pro-inflammation factors, such as NO, IL-6, PGE2 , iNOS, TNF-α and COX-2. Moreover, NOM also down-regulates the degradation of ECM induced by IL-1ß. Mechanistically, the NOM suppressed NF-κB signalling via disassociation of Keap1-Nrf2 in chondrocytes. Furthermore, NOM delays the disease progression in the mouse OA model. To sum up, this research indicated NOM possessed a new potential therapeutic option in osteoarthritis.

Investigation of the prognostic role of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss based on propensity score matching: a retrospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: The aetiology, management and prognosis of idiopathic Sdden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (ISSNHL) are still uncertain despite adequate investigation. OBJECTIVE: We conducted the present study to investigate the possible relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the prognosis of ISSNHL based on PSM. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study. Data and statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS statistical program (SPSS 19.0). PSM was performed using STATA (15.0). RESULTS: NLR = 3.42 was the cut-off value. After PSM, 84 pairs of patients were successfully matched. The number of patients in the effective group with the NLR < 3.42 and NLR < 3.42 were significantly different (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The NLR is an inexpensive and reliable index to predict the ISSNHL. We hold the view that the NLR can be a reliable factor for clinical doctors to predict the prognosis in ISSNHL. To further prove that the NLR is a powerful prognostic factor in ISSNHL, larger prospective studies are required in the future.