Relationship between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, fluid responsiveness and volume status in hospitalised dogs with circulatory abnormalities.

AIMS: To evaluate the echocardiographic variable tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion normalised to body weight (TAPSEnorm) as a predictor of fluid responsiveness in hospitalised dogs with haemodynamic and tissue perfusion alterations and to investigate the association of left ventricular internal diameter in diastole normalised to body weight (LVIDdN) and aortic velocity time integral (VTIAo) with TAPSEnorm. METHODS: A single-centre, prospective study was carried out in a cohort of spontaneously breathing dogs, hospitalised for any reason, with severe haemodynamic and tissue perfusion alterations. The echocardiographic variables TAPSEnorm, LVIDdN, and VTIAO were measured. A bolus of 30 mL/kg of lactated Ringer's solution was administered and then VTIAo was subsequently remeasured. Patients were classified as fluid responsive if VTIAo increased by ≥15% after fluid expansion, or non-responsive if VTIAo increased by <15% after fluid expansion. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve was generated to evaluate the ability of TAPSE to predict fluid responsiveness. Simple regression models were used to assess the linear relationship between TAPSEnorm and LVIDdN or VTIAO. RESULTS: TAPSEnorm was lower in fluid responsive dogs (mean 0.57 (95% CI = 0.50-0.64) cm/kg) compared to non-responsive dogs (mean 0.76 (95% CI = 0.62-0.90) cm/kg). The AUROC for TAPSEnorm was 0.827 (95% CI = 0.65-1.00). The optimal cut-off point was 0.76 with sensitivity of 80 (95% CI = 28.4-99.5)% and specificity of 86.7 (95% CI = 69.3-99.2)%, positive predictive value of 50 (95% CI = 15.7-84.3)% and negative predictive value of 96.3 (95% CI = 81-99.9)%. A monotonic linear relationship was observed between TAPSEnorm and LVIDdN (p<0.001) and between TAPSEnorm and VTIAo (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TAPSEnorm could be useful in determining those dogs that are likely to respond to a fluid bolus from those that are likely to be non-responsive. Additionally, a positive linear association between the LVIDdN and the TAPSEnorm suggests that TAPSEnorm decreases at lower preload values. The present study results suggest that TAPSEnorm could be a valuable tool for evaluating blood volume status and fluid responsiveness in hospitalised dogs.Abbreviations: AUROC: Area under the receiver operating characteristic; CO: Cardiac output; ICC: Intraclass correlation coefficient; LVIDd: Left ventricular internal diameter in diastole; LVIDdN: Left ventricular internal diameter in diastole normalised to body weight; TAPSE: Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion; TAPSEnorm: Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion normalised to body weight; VTIAo: Aortic velocity time integral.

Various Clinical Scenarios in Secondary Malignant Lymphedema.

Diagnosing malignant lymphedema is a challenge in daily clinical practice. Clinically, patients may show clear signs of malignancy, but this is not always the case, and at times the diagnosis is not straightforward. In some patients, pain, hardness of the tissues, joint stiffness, proximal involvement, collateral circulation, or an acute onset will provide the clue to determining malignancy. Our aim is to describe several diverse scenarios of Secondary Malignant Lymphedema (SML) with the etiopathogenesis. One possible cause is lymphatic obstruction due to extrinsic compression of lymphatic vessels and/or nodes by either the primary tumor or metastatic masses. Lymphatic obstruction can also be caused by tumoral infiltration. This infiltration can affect both deep and regional nodes as well as cutaneous and subcutaneous vessels and is commonly known as lymphangitis carcinomatosa. Malignant lymphedema can also be secondary to obstruction of the venous flow due to tumoral venous thromboembolism or to extrinsic compression of the veins by tumors or adenopathic masses. Nevertheless, the most frequent cause of this illness is a mixed mechanism of compression of the lymphatic and venous systems. Frequently, SML is the first manifestation of relapse. When lymphedema appears abruptly, is progressive, with intense pain, associated with collateral circulation, or with hard and infiltrated skin or joint stiffness, SML must be ruled out with an urgent referral to the oncologist and an imaging evaluation.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy and adverse events of the administration of angiotensin--converting enzyme inhibitors for the management of preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A compre- hensive search using Pubmed/MEDLINE, LILACS and CAB abstracts databases was performed. Ran- domised clinical trials that assessed efficacy and adverse events of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors for the management of preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs were included. Certainty of evidence was rated using GRADE methods. RESULTS: Four randomised clinical trials were included. While safe, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors administration to dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease and cardiomegaly results in little to no difference in the risk of development congestive heart failure (high certainty of evidence; relative risk: 1.03; 95% confidence interval: 0.87 to 1.23) and may result in little to no difference in cardiovascular-related (low certainty of evidence; relative risk: 1.01; 95% confidence interval: 0.54 to 1.89) and all-cause mortality (low certainty of evidence; relative risk: 0.93; 95% confidence interval: 0.63 to 1.36). Administration of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors to dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease without cardiomegaly may result in a reduced risk of congestive heart failure development. However, the range in which the actual effect for this outcome may be, the "margin of error," indicates it might also increase the risk of congestive heart failure development (low certainty of evidence; relative risk: 0.86; 95% confidence interval: 0.54 to 1.35). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Administration of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors to dogs with -preclinical myxoma- tous mitral valve disease and cardiomegaly results in little to no difference in the risk of the develop- ment of congestive heart failure and may result in little to no difference in -cardiovascular-related and all-cause mortality. The certainty of evidence of the efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibi- tors administration to dogs without cardiomegaly was low.

Prevalence of clinical manifestations and orthopedic alterations in patients with lipedema: A prospective cohort study.

Lipedema is a chronic disease seen frequently in women that causes abnormal fat deposition in the lower limbs and associated bruising and pain. Despite increasing knowledge concerning lipedema, there are still aspects of diagnosis that need further investigation. We performed a prospective, observational cohort study to describe prevalence of clinical characteristics present in patients with lipedema in an attempt to establish diagnostic criteria. Participants were consecutive patients with lipedema presenting at a public hospital in Spain from September 2012 to December 2019. Patients were examined for the following signs and symptoms of lipedema: symmetrical involvement; disproportion between the upper and lower part of the body; sparing of the feet; pain; bruising; Stemmer' sign; pitting test; fibrosis; venous insufficiency; upper limbs involvement; vascular spiders; skin coldness; and lymphangitis attacks. In addition, orthopedic alterations were examined in all patients. We recruited 138 patients (median age=47.6 years; mean BMI=29.9 Kg/m2). Using waist-to-height-ratio, 41.3% of the patients were slim or healthy. The most frequent type of lipedema was Type III (71%), and most were in stage 1 and 2. The features of lipedema with a prevalence >80% were symmetrical involvement, unaffected feet, pain, bruising, vascular spiders, and disproportion. Pain was nociceptive in 60.2% and neuropathic in 33.1%, and there was a reduced social or working activities in 37.9%. Orthopedic alterations including cavusfeet or valgus-knees were observed in 1/3 of the patients. X-ray of the knees was performed in 63 patients and knee osteoarthritis diagnosed in 37. We found that the most frequent manifestations of lipedema were bilateral involvement, unaffected feet, pain, easy bruising, vascular spiders, and disproportion between the upper and lower parts of the body. These should be considered as major criteria for diagnosis. In addition, our findings on the prevalence of orthopedic alterations in patients with lipedema highlights the need for a multidisciplinary and integrated approach.

[Management of patients with lymphatic diseases and lipoedema during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations of the Spanish Group of Lymphology]. / La atención al paciente con patología linfática y lipedema en la pandemia COVID-19. Recomendaciones del Grupo Español de Linfología (GEL).

The COVID-19 pandemic poses a challenge to the management of non-COVID pathologies such as lymphatic diseases and lipoedema. The use of telemedicine can prevent the spread of the disease. A system is needed to help determine the clinical priority and selection of face-to-face or telemedicine options for each patient and how to carry them out during the pandemic. The Spanish Lymphology Group has drafted a consensus document with recommendations based on the literature and clinical experience, as clinical practice guidelines for the management of lymphatic abnormalities and lipoedema during the COVID-19 pandemic. These recommendations must be adapted to the characteristics of each patient, the local conditions of the centres, and the decisions of health care professionals. The document contains minimum criteria, subject to modifications according to the evolution of the pandemic, scientific knowledge and instructions from health authorities.

Lymphoscintigraphic findings in patients with lipedema. / Hallazgos linfogammagráficos en pacientes con lipedema.

INTRODUCTION: Lipedema is a syndrome that is characterised by edema, an accumulation of fat, pain and haematomas in the lower limbs that principally affects women. Diagnosis is currently based on clinical criteria, since there is no accurate diagnostic imaging for the condition. The aim of our study was to describe the lymphoscintigraphic findings in patients with lipedema. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective cohort study of women with clinical criteria of lipedema who underwent lymphoscintigraphy. Two independent nuclear physicians described and classified the lymphoscintigraphy findings in different grades of severity, according to the migration and distribution of the radiopharmaceutical. Eighty three patients were included with a median age of 49.7years (range: 18-80) and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 29.9kg/m2 (95%CI: 28.4-31.3) RESULTS: Lymphoscintigraphy showed alterations in 47% of the patients, most were low (35.9%) or low-moderate grade (48.7%). None of the patients were severely affected (no migration of the radiopharmaceutical). The degree of lymphoscintigraphic involvement bore no relation to age (P=.674), Stemmer's sign (P=.506), or BMI (P=.832). We found lymphoscintigraphy findings in all the clinical stages of lipedema, with no significant differences between the grade of lymphoscintigraphic involvement and the clinical stage of lipedema (P=.142). CONCLUSION: Although lymphoscintigraphy has been used to differentiate lipedema from lymphedema, we found frequent alterations in the patients with lipedema, therefore the presence of findings dues not discount a diagnosis of lip1aedema.

[Urological pathology of lymphatic origin]. / Patología urológica de origen linfático.

OBJECTIVES: Lymphatic disease is a rarely cause of some very unspecific genitourinary manifestations, assuming a diagnostic challenge in most cases. The aim of this paper is to warn about the possible etiology of these urological lymphatic presentations and discuss its management. METHODS: Retrospective review of clinical data in pediatric patients with urological pathology of lymphatic origin between 2008-2014. Three patients, two boys and a girl, were included. The complaints were: redundant prepuce, inguinal scrotal tumor and urinary incontinence. Clinical, diagnosis and treatment protocol is described. RESULTS: The first case is a male with genital lymphedema presented at birth as a redundant prepuce and the subsequent emergence of lower limb lymphedema, treated with compression bandages. The second case, a groin lymphangioma which debuted as a sudden painless inguinal tumor simulating a cord cyst, it was sclerosed and treated with OK- 432. Finally, a preteen who consulted for involuntary leakage of urine, genital lymphedema likely primary cause (lymphodisplasia) or malformation was diagnosed, which improved with two Lipiodol® embolization. CONCLUSIONS: Genitourinary manifestations can be the debut of more complex lymphatic pathology, so it is necessary to consider this cause, uncommon and nonspecific. Its management must be conservative initially by compression bandages, OK-432 or embolization with Lipiodol®.

OBJETIVOS: La patología linfática es infrecuente como causa de manifestaciones genitourinarias inespecíficas, suponiendo un reto diagnóstico en la mayoría de los casos. El objetivo de este trabajo es advertir sobre la posible etiología linfática de estas presentaciones urológicas y discutir su manejo. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Revisión retrospectiva de los datos clínicos de los pacientes pediátricos con patología urológica de origen linfático entre el año 2008-2014. Se incluyeron 3 pacientes, dos niños y una niña. Todos ellos se evaluaron para obtener un diagnóstico fiable. Los motivos de consulta fueron: prepucio redundante, tumoración inguino-escrotal e incontinencia urinaria. Se describe la clínica, el protocolo diagnóstico y el tratamiento de los mismos. CASOS CLINICOS: El primer caso se trata de un lactante varón con un linfedema genital que presentaba un prepucio redundante congénito y la aparición posterior de linfedema en el miembro inferior que es tratado con vendajes compresivos. El siguiente, un linfangioma inguinal que debutó con una tumoración inguinal indolora de aparición súbita simulando un quiste de cordón y tratado mediante esclerosis con OK-432. Por último, una preadolescente que consultó por escapes involuntarios de orina diagnosticada de linfedema genital de probable causa primaria (linfodisplasia) o malformativa que mejoró con dos embolizaciones de Lipiodol®. CONCLUSIONES: Las manifestaciones genitourinarias pueden ser el debut de una patología linfática más compleja, por ello es necesario tener presente esta etiología infrecuente e inespecífica. Su manejo inicialmente debe ser conservador, mediante vendajes compresivos, OK-432 o embolización con Lipiodol®.

Diagnosis and treatment of primary lymphedema. Consensus document of the International Union of Phlebology (IUP)-2013.

Primary lymphedema can be managed effectively as a form of chronic lymphedema by a sequenced and targeted treatment and management program based around a combination of Decongestive Lymphatic Therapy (DLT) with compression therapy, when the latter is desired as an adjunct to DLT. Treatment in the maintenance phase should include compression garments, self-management, including self-massage, meticulous personal hygiene and skin care, in addition to lymphtransport-promoting excercises and activities, and, if desired, pneumatic compression therapy applied in the home. When conservative treatment fails, or gives sub-optimal outcomes, the management of primary lymphedema can be improved, where appropriate, with the proper addition of surgical interventions, either reconstructive or ablative. These two surgical therapies can be more effective when fully integrated with manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)-based DLT postoperatively. Compliance with a long-term commitment to MLD/DLT and particularly compression postoperatively is a critical factor in determining the success of any new treatment strategy involving either reconstructive or palliative surgery. The future of management of primary lymphedema has never been brighter with the new prospect of gene-and perhaps stem-cell oriented management.

Differential effects of environmental enrichment and isolation housing on the hormonal and neurochemical responses to stress in the prefrontal cortex of the adult rat: relationship to working and emotional memories.

The present study was designed to investigate the modulation of the stress responses by the environmental conditions and its putative neurobiological mechanisms. For that an integrative study on the effects of environmental enrichment and isolation housing on (1) the corticosterone, dopamine and acetylcholine responses to acute restraint stress in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of the awake rat; (2) the mRNA levels of glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in the PFC, and (3) the behavioral responses to stress, related to the PFC (habituation to a novel environment, spatial-working memory and inhibitory avoidance response) was performed. Male Wistar rats were maintained from 3 to 6 months of age in two different conditions: enriched (EC) or impoverished (IC). Animals were stereotaxically implanted with bilateral guide cannulae in the PFC to perform microdialysis experiments to evaluate the concentrations of corticosterone, dopamine and acetylcholine. EC animals showed lower increases of corticosterone and dopamine but not of acetylcholine than IC animals in the PFC in response to acute restraint stress (20 min). In the PFC, GR mRNA levels showed a trend towards an enhancement in EC animals. EC reduced the days to learn the spatial working memory task (radial-water maze). Spatial working memory, however, was not different between groups in either basal or stress conditions. Inhibitory avoidance response was reduced in EC rats. The changes produced by EC in the neurochemical, neuroendocrine and behavioral parameters evaluated suggest that EC rats could show a better coping during an acute stress challenge.

Chronic edema of the lower extremities: international consensus recommendations for compression therapy clinical research trials.

Chronic edema is a multifactorial condition affecting patients with various diseases. Although the pathophysiology of edema varies, compression therapy is a basic tenant of treatment, vital to reducing swelling. Clinical trials are disparate or lacking regarding specific protocols and application recommendations for compression materials and methodology to enable optimal efficacy. Compression therapy is a basic treatment modality for chronic leg edema; however, the evidence base for the optimal application, duration and intensity of compression therapy is lacking. The aim of this document was to present the proceedings of a day-long international expert consensus group meeting that examined the current state of the science for the use of compression therapy in chronic edema. An expert consensus group met in Brighton, UK, in March 2010 to examine the current state of the science for compression therapy in chronic edema of the lower extremities. Panel discussions and open space discussions examined the current literature, clinical practice patterns, common materials and emerging technologies for the management of chronic edema. This document outlines a proposed clinical research agenda focusing on compression therapy in chronic edema. Future trials comparing different compression devices, materials, pressures and parameters for application are needed to enhance the evidence base for optimal chronic oedema management. Important outcomes measures and methods of pressure and oedema quantification are outlined. Future trials are encouraged to optimize compression therapy in chronic edema of the lower extremities.

Congenital fetal and neonatal visceral chylous effusions: neonatal chylothorax and chylous ascites revisited. A multicenter retrospective study.

This retrospective study was carried out at eight Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) Centers worldwide on 33 newborns presenting at birth with pleural, pericardial, or abdominal chylous effusions. Diagnosis of chylous effusion is based on findings of fluid with a milk-like appearance, a concentration of triglycerides in pleural effusion >1.1 mmol/l, and a total cell count >1,000 cells/ml with a predominance of >80% lymphocytes. Thirty-three newborns met the inclusion criteria and were studied. Six subjects who presented at birth with fetal effusion were treated by in-utero pleuro-amniotic shunt. Five of these patients are alive at follow-up. At birth, pleural drainage was performed in 29/33 patients and abdominal drainage was carried out in 3/33. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was given to 32/33 patients; 19/23 patients were fed a medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). No adverse effects were observed. Eight patients were treated with Octreotide at dosages ranging from 1 to 7 mcg/kg/hour for 8 to 35 days. All patients showed decreased chylous production. Two patients were treated by pleurodesis. Twenty-two babies are alive after at least 6 months follow-up, 9/33 are deceased, and 2 were lost to follow-up. Clinical conditions of survivors are basically good except for lung involvement [chronic lung disease (CLD) or lung lymphangiectasia] and lymphedema. All patients were using a MCT diet at follow-up with good control of chylous effusion. Visceral chylous effusions of the fetus and neonate are rare disorders, and there currently is only partial agreement on decision-making strategies. We suggest the need for an international prospective trial in an effort to establish the efficacy and effectiveness of diagnostic and therapeutic options described in this article.

Lipedema: an overview of its clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of the disproportional fatty deposition syndrome - systematic review.

Lipedema is a disproportionate, symmetrical fatty swelling characterized by pain and bruising existing almost exclusively among women. We undertook a systematic review of the available literature about lipedema, given the lack of knowledge and little evidence about this disorder especially among obesity experts. Diagnosis of lipedema is usually based on clinical features. Symmetrical edema in the lower limbs with fatty deposits located to hips and thighs usually appears at puberty and often affects several members of the same family. Main disorders considered for differential diagnosis are lymphedema, obesity, lipohypertrophy and phlebedema. Treatment protocols comprise conservative (decongestive lymphatic therapy) and surgical (liposuction) approaches. Early diagnosis and treatment are mandatory for this disorder otherwise gradual enlargement of fatty deposition causes impaired mobility and further comorbidities like arthrosis and lymphatic insufficiency.

Mejoramiento de la pesquisa de enfermedades afectivas en atención terciaria de salud / Improvement in detection of affective disorders in general hospital

Unipolar and bipolar disorders are pathologies highly prevalent in our population. They have been studied in the last decades due to their impact on public health and because of the need for a prompt diagnosis and treatment. Objective: The study’s aim was: to show the utility of mood disorders self administered screening tools in several clinical services of two general hospitals. Method We applied the screening tools to a total of 100 patients. For depression (PHQ-9) and bipolarity (MDQ) s.The results were analysed through the statistical package SPSS 15.0 program. Results: 19 percent presented a positive screening with PHQ-9 and 8 percent was positive to the MDQ. It was found that a 75 percent of patients with MDQ (+) were treated in the surgery service. In our sample appear a relationship between PHQ-9 (+) and a depressive episodes historys. Conclusions: The frequency of mood disorders is higher in specialty services consultant medical population than in the general population. The consultants to surgery services got positive categorical MDQ in greater proportion than other evaluated disciplines. A positive PHQ-9 is related to the existence of a history of psychiatric pathology.

Introducción: Los trastornos afectivos, uni y bipolares, son patologías altamente prevalentes en nuestra población, siendo objeto de estudio en las últimas décadas, tanto por el impacto que generan en la salud pública, como por la necesidad de realizar un diagnóstico y tratamiento precoz. El diagnóstico tardío o erróneo de esta patología empeora el pronóstico y hace más complejo su manejo para los especialistas. Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad, a través de la comparación de la tasa de pesquisa del uso de dos cuestionarios autoaplicados validados en Chile de tamizaje de depresión y bipolaridad, en cuatro servicios de especialidades médicas de dos hospitales con nivel de atención terciaria. Método: A un total de 100 pacientes consultantes de los servicios de endocrinología, oftalmología, cirugía y medicina interna se les aplicó dos escalas de autoevaluación de tamizaje de depresión (PHQ-9) y bipolaridad (MDQ) y se analizaron los resultados con el software estadístico para ciencias sociales SPSS 15.0. Resultados: 19 por ciento presentó un tamizaje positivo con el PHQ-9 y 8 por ciento resultó positivo al aplicar el MDQ. Se encontró que un 75 por ciento de los pacientes con MDQ (+) provenían del servicio de cirugía y que existe asociación entre PHQ- 9 (+) y antecedentes de enfermedad psiquiátrica. Conclusiones: La frecuencia de patología afectiva es mayor en la población consultante a servicios de especialidades médicas que en la población general. La población consultante a cirugía obtiene MDQ categorial positivo en mayor proporción que las otras especialidades evaluadas. El PHQ-9 categorial positivo tiene relación con la existencia de antecedentes de patología psiquiátrica.

Clinical trials needed to evaluate compression therapy in breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL). Proposals from an expert group.

AIM: A mainstay of lymphedema management involves the use of compression therapy. Compression therapy application is variable at different levels of disease severity. Evidence is scant to direct clinicians in best practice regarding compression therapy use. Further, compression clinical trials are fragmented and poorly extrapolable to the greater population. An ideal construct for conducting clinical trials in regards to compression therapy will promote parallel global initiatives based on a standard research agenda. The purpose of this article is to review current evidence in practice regarding compression therapy for BCRL management and based on this evidence, offer an expert consensus recommendation for a research agenda and prescriptive trials. Recommendations herein focus solely on compression interventions. METHODS: This document represents the proceedings of a session organized by the International Compression Club (ICC) in June 2009 in Ponzano (Veneto, Italy). The purpose of the meeting was to enable a group of experts to discuss the existing evidence for compression treatment in breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) concentrating on areas where randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are lacking. RESULTS: The current body of research suggests efficacy of compression interventions in the treatment and management of lymphedema. However, studies to date have failed to adequately address various forms of compression therapy and their optimal application in BCRL. We offer recommendations for standardized compression research trials for prophylaxis of arm lymphedema and for the management of chronic BCRL. Suggestions are also made regarding; inclusion and exclusion criteria, measurement methodology and additional variables of interest for researchers to capture. CONCLUSION: This document should inform future research trials in compression therapy and serve as a guide to clinical researchers, industry researchers and lymphologists regarding the strengths, weaknesses and shortcomings of the current literature. By providing this construct for research trials, the authors aim to support evidence-based therapy interventions, promote a cohesive, standardized and informative body of literature to enhance clinical outcomes, improve the quality of future research trials, inform industry innovation and guide policy related to BCRL.

Study of the motion artefacts of skin-mounted inertial sensors under different attachment conditions.

A common problem shared by accelerometers, inertial sensors and any motion measurement method based on skin-mounted sensors is the movement of the soft tissues covering the bones. The aim of this work is to propose a method for the validation of the attachment of skin-mounted sensors. A second-order (mass-spring-damper) model was proposed to characterize the behaviour of the soft tissue between the bone and the sensor. Three sets of experiments were performed. In the first one, different procedures to excite the system were evaluated to select an adequate excitation stimulus. In the second one, the selected stimulus was applied under varying attachment conditions while the third experiment was used to test the model. The heel drop was chosen as the excitation method because it showed lower variability and could discriminate between different attachment conditions. There was, in agreement with the model, a trend to increase the natural frequency of the system with decreasing accelerometer mass. An important result is the development of a standard procedure to test the bandwidth of skin-mounted inertial sensors, such as accelerometers mounted on the skin or markers heavier than a few grams.

Use of a nanocrystalline silver dressing on lymphatic ulcers in patients with chronic lymphoedema.

OBJECTIVE: A prospective evaluation to explore the effect of treating patients with chronic lower limb lymphoedema and lymphatic ulcers using a nanocrystalline dressing and multilayer bandaging. METHOD: Ulcers were cleansed and dressed with a nanocrystalline silver dressing, an alginate dressing and a hydrocellular dressing, followed by multilayer short-stretch compression bandages. A digital planimetry system was used to calculate the ulcer surface area. In cases of multiple ulcers, the areas were added together. RESULTS: Eight patients with chronic lower limb lymphoedema plus ulcers were included. Median age was 53.7 years (range 39.2-72.3). Mean ulcer size was 10.5cm2 (range: 0.8-33.8). All ulcers completely healed after one to nine weeks of treatment. CONCLUSION: This protocol has been effective in healing lymphatic ulcers and was well accepted by patients. There were no adverse effects or withdrawals. Further studies with larger numbers of patients are required to support these results.

The role of upper limb surgery in tetraplegia.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective follow-up study. OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of surgery on the tetraplegic hand to improve its function. SETTING: Spinal unit. Hospital La Fe. Valencia (Spain). METHOD: We reviewed the functional results obtained in 15 patients (10 males and 5 females) operated on at our hospital between 1988 and 1997. We performed 66 surgical procedures on 20 upper limbs. After a year or more the patients were evaluated by two independent examiners not related with the surgeons, using the questionnaire of Lamb and Chan modified by Mohammed, taking into account the change in the performance of activities of daily living (ADL), the patient's satisfaction, and the fulfillment of their expectations. RESULTS: A good or excellent result was obtained in 71.4% of our patients, 85.7% were satisfied with the operation and 57.2% said that the surgery did not meet their expectations. The bad results occurred in patients with previous joint rigidity, ocular sensibility, pain, and lack of motivation. CONCLUSION: Hand surgery improved the function of tetraplegics and should be performed more frequently. The hands should be cared for from the very beginning to keep them supple. The information given to the patients should be realistic.

Bilateral lumbosacral plexopathy after mesenteric thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: A case of lumbosacral plexopathy (LSP) following operation for mesenteric thrombosis. DESIGN: Case report of a 64-year-old man who developed weakness and numbness of the distal legs after an operation for mesenteric thrombosis. SETTING: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain. SUBJECT: Single patient case report. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Clinical and electromyography follow-up of the patient between October 1996 and August 1997. RESULTS: Physical examination revealed marked lower extremity weakness, hypotonia, hyporreflexia and normal bowel and bladder function. Electromyography demonstrated marked denervation of all major muscle groups, and sensory nerve conduction showed absence of responses in all peripheral nerves, in both legs. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, bilateral LSP following an intervention of mesenteric thrombosis, has never been reported in the literature. Diagnosis of LSP might be based on electromyography and nerve conduction studies that demonstrate electrodiagnostic criteria for LSP, including denervation in muscles innervated by at least two lumbosacral segmental levels and involving at least two different peripheral nerves, without paraspinal involvement.

Focus on: ORBIS International Flying Eye Hospital, Department of Technical Services.

The ORBIS International Flying Eye Hospital is dedicated to restoring sight to the blind through medical education programs in developing countries. The modification of a DC-10 aircraft to house a teaching hospital for ophthalmic surgery involved a variety of engineering challenges to satisfy standards for both hospital and aircraft safety. The Technical Services Department maintains all medical equipment on the aircraft, encountering situations not found in traditional clinical engineering departments. Technical education is also an important part of the ORBIS biomedical engineering program. Future plans include expansion of existing technical training efforts, as well as using technology to improve the medical education program as a whole.