Suprascapular neuropathy: A review of 87 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Suprascapular neuropathy (SSN) is rare, with an estimated prevalence of 4.3% in patients with shoulder pain. METHODS: This retrospective chart review included patients with SSN seen during a 16-year period. Demographics and clinical information were recorded. Descriptive statistics, including percentages, means, and standard deviations, were computed for the variables of interest for all patients. RESULTS: Of 87 patients included in this study, trauma (n = 27) was the most common cause of SSN, followed by neuralgic amyotrophy (n = 21). Fifty-seven patients had isolated SSN. Others had SSN associated with axillary neuropathy (23 patients), brachial plexopathy (3 patients), and long thoracic, radial, or spinal accessory neuropathy (1 patient each). DISCUSSION: SSN is commonly associated with axillary neuropathy. Trauma remains the most common cause of SSN. Electrodiagnostic findings aid in the initial diagnosis and may indicate the need for close clinical follow-up based on the severity of the axonal injury.

Antithrombotic management of stroke patients before colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Uncertainty exists regarding the management of antithrombotic medications in ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) patients around the time of colonoscopy. We sought to evaluate whether there was a difference in adverse events among patients who continued medications and those who had temporary discontinuation. METHODS: Using a hospital administrative database, electronic charts of patients with a diagnostic code for stroke or TIA and a procedural code for colonoscopy were reviewed. Information collected included baseline demographics, medical history, and antithrombotic medications. Outcome measures were stroke (ischemic and hemorrhagic), myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolism, and major systemic bleeding (i.e., requiring transfusion) up to 4 weeks after the procedure among patients who had medications continued versus temporarily discontinued. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-seven patients met inclusion criteria. Antithrombotic medication was temporarily discontinued in 42 patients and continued in 135 patients. Comparing patients who had medications held to those who had medications continued, stroke occurred in 1 (2.4%) versus 0 (0%; P = .237) patients; myocardial infarction in no patients in either group; venous thromboembolism in 0 (0%) versus 1 (0.7%; P > .99) patients; and major system bleeding in 2 (4.8%) versus 4 (3.0%; P = .628) patients. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective analysis, there was no significant difference in the occurrence of stroke, myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolism, and major bleeding between patients who had medications continued around the time of colonoscopy versus those who had temporary discontinuation. A prospective, randomized controlled study is warranted to further elucidate this issue.