Botulinum Toxin Injection for Internal Rotation Contractures in Brachial Plexus Birth Palsy. A Minimum 5-Year Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Brachial plexus birth palsy is frequently associated with internal rotation contractures of the shoulder as a result of muscle imbalance. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injection in the subscapular (SC) muscle on external rotation and the need for tendon transfer for external rotation of the shoulder. METHODS: A prospective comparative study was performed including 15 consecutive patients treated with BTX-A and a historic control group of 67 patients with mean age 30 months (SD 10). The BTX-A injection (2 IU/kg body weight) was performed immediately following MRI under general anesthesia in the SC muscle. Passive external rotation, the need for tendon transfer surgery, glenohumeral deformity, and muscle degeneration were evaluated. The hazard ratio for no relapse of internal rotation contracture after BTX-A injection compared with no BTX-A injection was calculated. RESULTS: In the BTX-A group, the passive external rotation in adduction increased from -1 degree (95% CI, -10 to 8) to 32 degrees (95% CI, 17-46) at 3 months and 6 patients were indicated for surgery compared with a decline from -2 degrees (95% CI, -7 to 3) to -11 degrees (95% CI, -17 to -6) in the control group with 66 indications for surgery. At 5 years of follow-up, 10 patients in the BTX-A group were indicated for surgery with a hazard ratio of 4.0 (95% CI, 1.9 to 8.4). CONCLUSIONS: BTX-A injection in the SC muscle of brachial plexus birth palsy patients can reduce internal rotation contractures and subsequently the need for tendon transfer surgery. At 5 years of follow-up a relapse was seen in 67% of the patients treated with BTX-A. Because at MRI less SC degeneration was found in the good responders on BTX-A treatment, this group seems to be the best target group. Further research is needed on patient selection for BTX-A injection including glenohumeral deformity, SC degeneration, as well as doses of BTX-A to be used. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II-prospective comparative study.

Can Ultrasound Performed in Prolonged Second Stage of Labor Predict the Difficulty and Success Rates of Operative Vaginal Delivery?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate different sonographic methods for the prediction of the difficulty and the success of operative vaginal delivery (OPD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 45 term singleton uncomplicated pregnancies with prolonged 2nd stage of delivery with cephalic presentation. Measurements of the fetal head, relations between the fetal head and maternal pelvic parameters during rest and during maternal pushing were taken using translabial ultrasound. RESULTS: 29 cases of OPD were successful and 4 cases failed ending in cesarean section. The passage of the biparietal diameter (BPD) of the infrapubic line (IPL) was statistically correlated with the success of OPD. Head station, passage of the BPD of the IPL, percentage of head after the IPL, circumference of head after IPL were all correlated with the difficulty of OPD. When the distance between the widest diameter of the head and the IPL is < 1.2 cm, there is a 90 % probability of success of OPD. When that distance is > 3.3 cm, there is 90 % probability of cesarean section. When the percentage of head beyond the IPL was > 54 %, there was 90 % probability of successful OPD. DISCUSSION: Translabial ultrasound is useful in the prediction of the difficulty and the success of OPD. The higher the extent of head that passed the IPL, the less difficult the OPD and the greater the success rate of the OPD.

Choosing between bad, worse and worst: what is the preferred mode of delivery for failure of the second stage of labor?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the preferred mode of delivery (vacuum, forceps or cesarean delivery) for second-stage dystocia. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of women delivered by forceps, vacuum or cesarean delivery due to abnormalities of the second stage of labor. Primary outcome included neonatal and maternal composite adverse effects. RESULTS: A total of 547 women were included: 150 (27.4%) had forceps delivery, 200 (36.5%) had vacuum extraction, and 197 (36.1%) had cesarean section. The rate of neonatal composite outcome was significantly increased in vacuum extraction (27%) compared to forceps delivery (14.7%) or cesarean section (9.7%) (p < 0.001). There was no difference in the rate of maternal composite outcome among the groups. Both operative vaginal delivery modes were associated with significantly lower rate of postpartum infection compared to cesarean delivery (0% versus 3%, p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Operative vaginal delivery was associated with reduced postpartum infection compared to cesarean section. Forceps delivery was associated with reduced risk for adverse neonatal outcome compared to vacuum extraction, with no increase in the risk of composite maternal complications.

Attacks of pericarditis as a manifestation of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is characterized by recurrent attacks of febrile serositis. While arthritis, pleuritis and peritonitis are common in FMF, no association of pericarditis with FMF has been described in detail. We retrospectively studied about 4000 FMF patients, using a computer chart review. Pericarditis was diagnosed when patients sustained attacks of pleuritic retrosternal chest pain and had typical findings in the electrocardiogram, echocardiogram or chest radiogram. The incidence and features of pericarditis in FMF were compared to published data. Over a period of 20 years, one or more episodes of pericarditis were recorded in 27 patients, a significantly higher incidence than in the general population (68 vs. 6 per 10(5) per year, p < 0.001). Each patient experienced 1-3 pericarditis attacks, lasting a mean of 4.2 days, accompanied by high temperature and symptoms of FMF attack at another site. The pericarditis attack resolved spontaneously and left no sequelae. FMF patients with pericarditis were comparable to other FMF patients in most demographic and clinical parameters. Pericarditis may be considered another rare manifestation of FMF.

Evaluation of suprascapular nerve neurotization after nerve graft or transfer in the treatment of brachial plexus traction lesions.

OBJECT: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the restoration of shoulder function by means of suprascapular nerve neurotization in adult patients with proximal C-5 and C-6 lesions due to a severe brachial plexus traction injury. The primary goal of brachial plexus reconstructive surgery was to restore biceps muscle function and, secondarily, to reanimate shoulder function. METHODS: Suprascapular nerve neurotization was performed by grafting the C-5 nerve in 24 patients and by accessory or hypoglossal nerve transfer in 29 patients. Additional neurotization involving the axillary nerve was performed in 18 patients. Postoperative needle electromyography studies of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and deltoid muscles showed signs of reinnervation in most patients; however, active glenohumeral shoulder function recovery was poor. In nine (17%) of 53 patients supraspinatus muscle strength was Medical Research Council (MRC) Grade 3 or 4 and in four patients (8%) infraspinatus muscle power was MRC Grade 3 or 4. In 18 patients in whom deltoid muscle reinnervation was attempted, MRC Grade 3 or 4 function was demonstrated in two (11%). In the overall group, eight patients (15%) exhibited glenohumeral abduction with a mean of 44 +/- 17 degrees (standard deviation [SD]; median 45 degrees) and four patients (8%) exhibited glenohumeral exorotation with a mean of 48 +/- 24 degrees (SD; median 53 degrees). In only three patients (6%) were both functions regained. CONCLUSIONS: The reanimation of shoulder function in patients with proximal C-5 and C-6 brachial plexus traction injuries following suprascapular nerve neurotization is disappointingly low.

Features of shoulder dystocia in a busy obstetric unit.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence and complications of shoulder dystocia and whether those complications could be avoided. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of shoulder dystocia between 1996 and 1999 to determine whether macrosomia, diabetes, height of head at full dilatation, length of second stage or instrumental delivery could predict shoulder dystocia. Fetal asphyxia, brachial plexus injury, maneuvers used to free the shoulders and experience of the attendant were also assessed. RESULTS: There were 56 cases of shoulder dystocia in 24,000 births, 59% after spontaneous delivery. McRoberts maneuver was used in 48 deliveries but sufficed as a solitary procedure in nine cases. The addition of suprapubic pressure was sufficient for 25 patients and 27 when bilateral episiotomy was also used. Corkscrew procedures were required in 12 patients. Midwives were involved in 35 cases and required assistance in 27. Macrosomia > 4,000 g was a feature in 20 infants and diabetes in 6. Neither the height of the head nor the length of the second stage was helpful. There were 13 cases of Erb's palsy, seven after vacuum delivery and six after spontaneous delivery. Eight of these cases were associated with McRoberts procedure and suprapubic pressure, two with no procedure and three with the corkscrew procedure. CONCLUSION: If all infants > 4,000 g had been delivered by cesarean section, there still would have been 36 cases of shoulder dystocia. If the ultrasonically estimated weight were used to select patients for cesarean section, seven cases would have been diagnosed. To lessen the degree and incidence of fetal injury, labor ward staff are urged to become as familiar as possible with the techniques of freeing the shoulders.

Criteria for the diagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a new set of criteria for the diagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). METHODS: Twenty-seven features and manifestations typical of FMF were studied to determine their prevalence in 105 patients with FMF and 106 controls. Diagnosis of FMF in the study group was based on clinical judgment. Controls were patients with a variety of other diseases who presented to the emergency room or outpatient clinics with recurrent episodes of pain in body sites usually involved in FMF attacks. Manifestations observed to be significantly more common in FMF patients than in controls were incorporated into the rule proposed for diagnosis of FMF, based on a model of major, minor, and supportive criteria. RESULTS: Two sets of diagnostic criteria were established. A conservative criteria set for diagnosis of FMF was based on the presence of 1 major or 2 minor criteria, or 1 minor plus 5 supportive criteria, and a simple criteria set for diagnosis of FMF required 1 major or 2 minor criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of these 2 criteria sets were >95% and >97%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The proposed new sets of criteria were highly sensitive and specific, and could be used to readily diagnose FMF and to distinguish FMF from other periodic febrile diseases.

Induction of labor with use of a Foley catheter and extraamniotic corticosteroids.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to examine the hypothesis that corticosteroids, when administered extraamniotically, can enhance the labor process and reduce the induction-to-delivery interval. STUDY DESIGN: A double-blind, randomized study was conducted on 98 women with a gestational age of 36 to 42 weeks, an unfavorable cervix, and medical indications for delivery, who were assigned to receive either 20 mg of dexamethasone in saline solution (study group, n = 50) or saline solution only (control group, n = 48) administered extraamniotically through an intracervical inflated Foley balloon catheter. The net effect of steroids was assessed with use of multivariant logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The mean time intervals between induction of labor to the active phase and between induction of labor to delivery were significantly shorter in the study group compared with those of the control group (7.8 +/- 3.1 hours vs 9.9 +/- 3.9 hours, p < 0.03, 11.9 +/- 3.0 hours vs 14.5 +/- 4.8 hours, p < 0.01, respectively). Those not receiving steroids were at a 3.2 higher risk of having a longer time interval of induction to delivery (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 9.5). The general success rate in achieving vaginal delivery was, however, similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Induction of labor with use of an intracervical Foley balloon catheter and extraamniotic corticosteroids reduces the time interval from induction of labor to delivery. This may indicate a possible role for corticosteroids in the parturition process.

Timed Analysis of Mouse 2 - Cell Embryo Development in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium ( DMEM ) in The Presence of Glutamine With of Without Glucose / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To evaluat the effects of a culture medium with glucose in the presence of glutamine on the development of mouse embryos. METHODS: Two-cell embryos recovered from ICR mice at 48 hrs after hCG injection (mated just after hCG injection) were cultured in DMEM (with 20% hFF) supplemented with or without glucose on the presence of glutamine. Embryos were cultured under three different glucose regimens: (1) 0 mM (control); (2) 0.5 mM (group I); or (3) 3.15 mM (group II), and were analyzed at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours intervals. Chi-square test (x2-test) was used to compare values of groups. RESULTS: No differences were found in the number of embryos showing morula (control: 37.5%; group I: 51.0%; group II: 48.4%), blastocyst (control: 21.5%; group I: 33.3%; group II: 34.4%) and blastocyst and hatching or hatched blastocyst (control: 81.9%; group I: 83.3%; group II: 82.8%) between groups at 24 hrs, 48 hrs or 72 hrs respectively. However at 96 hrs, the number of hatched and attached blastocyst was significantly higher in group I (82.3%) and II (78.5%) than control (63.2%; P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The addition of glucose (0.5 mM) to the DMEM, as energy source, improved the rate of development of late stage embryos in mice.