Pediatric acute flaccid myelitis: Evaluation of diagnostic criteria and differentiation from other causes of acute flaccid paralysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is characterized by rapidly progressive limb weakness with low muscle tone. It has a broad differential diagnosis, which includes acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare polio-like condition that mainly affects young children. Differentiation between AFM and other causes of AFP may be difficult, particularly at onset of disease. Here, we evaluate the diagnostic criteria for AFM and compare AFM to other causes of acute weakness in children, aiming to identify differentiating clinical and diagnostic features. METHODS: The diagnostic criteria for AFM were applied to a cohort of children with acute onset of limb weakness. An initial classification based on positive diagnostic criteria was compared to the final classification, based on application of features suggestive for an alternative diagnosis and discussion with expert neurologists. Cases classified as definite, probable, or possible AFM or uncertain, were compared to cases with an alternative diagnosis. RESULTS: Of 141 patients, seven out of nine patients initially classified as definite AFM, retained this label after further classification. For probable AFM, this was 3/11, for possible AFM 3/14 and for uncertain 11/43. Patients initially classified as probable or possible AFM were most commonly diagnosed with transverse myelitis (16/25). If the initial classification was uncertain, Guillain-Barré syndrome was the most common diagnosis (31/43). Clinical and diagnostic features not included in the diagnostic criteria, were often used for the final classification. CONCLUSION: The current diagnostic criteria for AFM usually perform well, but additional features are sometimes required to distinguish AFM from other conditions.

Ascending Flaccid Paralysis Secondary to Hypokalemia in A Cancer Patient using Abiraterone - A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PC) is the most common type of neoplasm in men and the fourth leading cause of mortality in Brazil. The prostate cancer refractory metastatic castration can be treated with abiraterone acetate (AA). CASE PRESENTATION: Its use has been associated with increased survival. However, there are also side effects associated with the use of this drug, such as severe electrolyte disturbances. CONCLUSION: The objective is to report the clinical case of a patient with castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer who developed ascending flaccid paralysis secondary to severe hypokalemia, probably due to hyperaldosteronism secondary to the use of Abiraterone Acetate, despite the use of Prednisone.

Confirming a C5 Palsy with a Motor Evoked Potential Trending Algorithm during Insertion of Cervical Facet Spacers: A Case Study.

The use of cervical facet spacers has shown favorable clinical results in the treatment of cervical spondylotic disease; however, there are limited data regarding neurological complications associated with the procedure. This case report demonstrates the specificity of multi-myotomal motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in detecting acute postoperative C5 palsy following placement of facet spacers. A posterior cervical fusion with decompression and instrumentation involving DTRAX (Providence Medical Technology; Lafayette, CA) was used to treat a patient with cervical stenosis and myelopathy. Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) consisting of MEPs, somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), and free-run electromyography (EMG), was used throughout the procedure. Immediately following the placement of the DTRAX spacers at C4-5, a decrease in amplitudes from the right deltoid and biceps MEP recordings (>65%) was detected. All other IONM modalities remained stable; it is noteworthy that there was an absence of mechanically elicited EMG. A novel post-alert regression analysis trending algorithm of MEP amplitudes confirmed the visual alert. This warning along with an intraoperative computed tomography (CT) scan of the cervical spine subsequently resulted in the decision to remove one of the facet spacers. Surgical intervention did not result in recovery of the aforementioned MEP recordings, which remained attenuated at the time of wound closure. Postoperatively, the patient exhibited an immediate right C5 palsy (2/5). A post-surgery application of the trending algorithm demonstrated that it correlated to the visual alert until the end of monitoring.

The Utility of Transcranial Stimulated Motor-Evoked Potential Alerts in Cervical Spine Surgery Varies Based on Preoperative Motor Status.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective multicenter observational study. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the validity of transcranial motor-evoked potentials (Tc-MEP) in cervical spine surgery and identify factors associated with positive predictive value when Tc-MEP alerts are occurred. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The sensitivity and specificity of Tc-MEP for detecting motor paralysis are high; however, false-positives sometimes occur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors examined Tc-MEP in 2476 cases of cervical spine surgeries and compared patient backgrounds, type of spinal disorders, preoperative motor status, surgical factors, and the types of Tc-MEP alerts. Tc-MEP alerts were defined as an amplitude reduction of more than 70% from the control waveform. Tc-MEP results were classified into two groups: false-positive and true-positive, and items that showed significant differences were extracted by univariate analysis and detected by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Overall sensitivity was 66% (segmental paralysis: 33% and lower limb paralysis: 95.8%) and specificity was 91.5%. Tc-MEP outcomes were 33 true-positives and 233 false-positives. Positive predictive value of general spine surgery was significantly higher in cases with a severe motor status than in a nonsevere motor status (19.5% vs . 6.7%, P =0.02), but not different in high-risk spine surgery (20.8% vs . 19.4%). However, rescue rates did not significantly differ regardless of motor status (48% vs . 50%). In a multivariate logistic analysis, a preoperative severe motor status [ P =0.041, odds ratio (OR): 2.46, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.03-5.86] and Tc-MEP alerts during intradural tumor resection ( P <0.001, OR: 7.44, 95% CI: 2.64-20.96) associated with true-positives, while Tc-MEP alerts that could not be identified with surgical maneuvers ( P =0.011, OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.073-0.71) were associated with false-positives. CONCLUSION: The utility of Tc-MEP in patients with a preoperative severe motor status was enhanced, even in those without high-risk spine surgery. Regardless of the motor status, appropriate interventions following Tc-MEP alerts may prevent postoperative paralysis.

Predicting motor function recovery in cervical spinal cord injury-induced complete paralysis with reflex response.

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective clinical study. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the usefulness of the patellar tendon reflex (PTR), bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR), and plantar response (PR) as factors in the prognostic prediction of motor function in complete paralysis due to cervical spinal cord injuries (CSCIs) at the acute phase. SETTING: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Spinal Injuries Center, Japan. METHODS: 99 patients assessed as the American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade A (AIS A) were included in this study. The PTR, BCR, and PR were evaluated respectively as positive or negative at the time of injury. We classified the patients into two groups based on their neurological recovery at 3 months after injury: "recovered" group was defined as AIS C, D, or E; "non-recovered" group was defined as AIS A or B. RESULTS: Eight patients demonstrated positive PTR, while 91 demonstrated negative. Three out of eight patients with positive PTR (37.5%) were R group, while 83 out of 91 patients with negative PTR (91.2%) were N group. A significant difference was observed (p = 0.043). For BCR, no significant difference was observed (p > 0.05). Twenty-six patients demonstrated positive PTR, while 73 demonstrated negative. Nine out of twenty-six patients with positive PR (34.6%) were R group, while 71 out of 73 patients with negative PR (97.3%) were N group. A significant difference was observed (p = 0.000068). CONCLUSION: The PTR and PR are useful for poor prognostic prediction of motor function in CSCI at the acute phase.

Diplopía binocular por paresia o parálisis oculomotoras: resultados de las opciones de tratamiento / Binocular Diplopia due to Oculomotor Paresis or Palsies: Outcomes of Treatment Options

Objetivo: Determinar resultados de las opciones de tratamiento para la diplopía binocular en pacientes con paresia o parálisis oculomotoras. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, longitudinal y prospectivo de una serie de casos que acudieron a la consulta del Servicio de Oftalmología Pediátrica del Instituto Cubano de Oftalmología Ramón Pando Ferrer. Se evaluaron las variables: edad, sexo, etiología, opciones de tratamiento, limitación de los movimientos oculares, eliminación de diplopía, fusión y estereopsis. Resultados: La etiología más frecuente fue la microvascular. El 66,7 por ciento de la muestra estudiada se resolvió solo con tratamiento médico, de ellos el 100,0 por ciento con diagnóstico de paresias o parálisis del tercer nervio craneal, seguido por el sexto y cuarto con 63,6 por ciento y 33,3 por ciento, respectivamente. Necesitaron tratamiento médico, quirúrgico y aplicación de toxina botulínica seis pacientes, el 33,3 por ciento del cuarto y el 22,7 por ciento del sexto nervio craneal. El resto de las opciones de tratamiento solo con un paciente. No se halló asociación significativa entre opciones de tratamiento y nervio craneal afectado. El 86,6 por ciento finalizó sin limitación de los movimientos oculares. El 86,7 por ciento de los casos eliminaron la diplopía en todas las posiciones diagnósticas de la mirada. El 76,7 por ciento logró fusión y el 56,7 por ciento estereopsis. Conclusiones: El tratamiento médico y el combinado de médico más inyección de toxina botulínica y cirugía de músculos extraoculares fueron las opciones más utilizadas y permitieron alineamiento ocular y eliminación de la diplopía binocular(AU)

Objective: To determine outcomes of treatment options for binocular diplopia in patients with oculomotor paresis or paralysis. Method: A descriptive, longitudinal and prospective study was carried out of a series of cases that were assisted at the consultation of the Pediatric Ophthalmology Service at Ramón Pando Ferrer Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology. The variables evaluated were age, sex, etiology, treatment options, limitation of ocular movements, elimination of diplopia, fusion and stereopsis. Results: The microvascular etiology was the most frequent. 66.7 percent of the studied sample was resolved only with medical treatment, 100.0 percent of them had a diagnosis of paresis or paralysis of the third cranial nerve, followed by the sixth and fourth with 63.6 percent and 33.3 percent, respectively. Six patients required medical and surgical treatment and application of botulinum toxin, 33.3 percent of the fourth and 22.7 percent of the sixth cranial nerve. The rest of the treatment options with only one patient. No significant association was found between treatment options and affected cranial nerve. 86.6 percent finished without limitation of eye movements. 86.7 percent of cases eliminated diplopia in all diagnostic gaze positions. 76.7 percent achieved fusion and 56.7 percent stereopsis. Conclusions: Medical treatment and combined medical treatment plus botulinum toxin injection and extraocular muscle surgery were the most used options and allowed ocular alignment and elimination of binocular diplopia(AU)

Insufficient Recovery From C5 Palsy Following Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors for insufficient recovery from C5 palsy (C5P) following anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ADF). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Postoperative C5P is a frequent but unsolved complication following cervical decompression surgery. Although most patients gradually recover, some recover only partially. When we encounter new-onset C5P following ADF, the question that often arises is whether the palsy will sufficiently resolve. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who underwent ADF at our institution. We defined C5P as postoperative deterioration of deltoid muscle strength by two or more grades determined by manual muscle testing (MMT). We evaluated the following demographic data: patient factors, surgical factors, and radiological findings. C5P patients were divided into two groups: sufficient recovery (MMT grade≧4) and insufficient recovery (MMT grade < 4). Each parameter was compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Of 839 patients initially included in the study, 57 experienced new-onset C5P (6.8%). At the final follow-up (mean, 55 ±â€Š17 months), 41 patients experienced sufficient recovery, whereas 16 (28%) still exhibited insufficient recovery. Compared with the sufficient recovery group, patients with insufficient recovery exhibited a higher decompression combination score, a larger anterior shift in preoperative cervical sagittal balance, less lordosis of the pre- and postoperative C4/C5 segment, more frequent stenosis at the C3/C4 segment, lower deltoid strength at C5P onset, more frequent co-occurrence of biceps weakness, greater postoperative expansion of the dura mater, and more frequent presence of postoperative T2 high-intensity areas. Multivariate analysis revealed that co-occurrence of biceps muscle weakness, less lordosis at the preoperative C4/C5 segment, and postoperative expansion of the dura mater were independent predictors of insufficient recovery. CONCLUSION: The combination of unfavorable conditions, such as potential spinal cord disorder, cervical malalignment, and excessive expansion of the dura mater after corpectomy, predicts insufficient recovery from C5P.Level of Evidence: 4.

Comparison of procedural efficacy, balloon nadir temperature, and incidence of phrenic nerve palsy between two cryoballoon technologies for pulmonary vein isolation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: In May 2020, a novel cryoballoon system (POLARx; Boston Scientific) became available for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). The design of the cryoballoon is comparable to the Arctic Front Advance Pro (AFA-Pro; Medtronic), but it is more compliant during freezing. We compared the procedural efficacy, biophysical parameters, and risk of phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) between the two cryoballoons. METHODS: Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases were searched until June 1, 2021 for relevant studies comparing POLARx versus AFA-Pro in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for AF. RESULTS: A total of four studies, involving 310 patients were included. There was no difference between the two groups for outcomes regarding procedural efficacy: acute PVI (odds ratio [OR]: 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.06 to 3.03; p = .40), procedure time (mean difference [MD]: 8.15 min; 95% CI: -8.09 to 24.39; p = .33), fluoroscopy time (MD: 1.32 min; 95% CI: -1.61 to 4.25; p = .38) and ablation time (MD: 1.00 min; 95% CI: -0.20 to 2.20; p = .10). The balloon nadir temperature was lower for all individual pulmonary veins (PV) in POLARx compared with AFA-Pro (MD: -9.74°C, -9.98°C, -6.72°C, -7.76°C, for left superior PV, left inferior PV, right superior PV, and right inferior PV, respectively; all p < .001). The incidence of PNP was similar between groups (OR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.22 to 2.85; p = .72). CONCLUSION: In AF patients undergoing PVI, POLARx and AFA-Pro had a similar procedural efficacy. Balloon nadir temperatures were lower with POLARx, however, the incidence of PNP was similar.

Analysis of risk factors for C5 nerve root paralysis after posterior cervical decompression.

BACKGROUND: C5 nerve root paralysis is a nonnegligible complication after posterior cervical spine surgery (PCSS). The cause of its occurrence remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to analyse the incidence of and risk factors for C5 nerve root paralysis after posterior cervical decompression. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 640 patients who underwent PCSS in the Department of Orthopaedics, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from September 2013 to September 2019. According to the status of C5 nerve root paralysis after surgery, all patients were divided into paralysis and normal groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the independent risk factors for C5 nerve root paralysis. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to demonstrate the discrimination of all independent risk factors. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male sex, preoperative cervical spine curvature, posterior longitudinal ligament ossification, and preoperative C4/5 spinal cord hyperintensity were independent risk factors for paralysis, whereas the width of the intervertebral foramina was an independent protective factor for paralysis. The area under the curve (AUC) values of the T2 signal change at C4-C5, sex, cervical foramina width, curvature and posterior longitudinal ligament ossification were 0.706, 0.633, 0.617, 0.637, and 0.569, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Male patients with C4-C5 intervertebral foramina stenosis, preoperative C4-C5 spinal cord T2 high signal, combined with OPLL, and higher preoperative cervical spine curvature are more likely to develop C5 nerve root paralysis after surgery. Among the above five risk factors, T2 hyperintensity change in C4-C5 exhibits the highest correlation with C5 paralysis and strong diagnostic power. It seems necessary to inform patients who have had cervical spine T2 hyperintensity before surgery of C5 nerve root paralysis after surgery, especially those with altered spinal cord T2 signals in the C4-C5 segment.

[Anterior Interosseous Nerve Palsy with Isolated Flexion Palsy of the Thumb or Index Finger as an Initial Symptom:Two Case Reports].

Case 1: A 73-year-old man who had undergone neurolysis for right cubital tunnel syndrome complained of difficulty using chopsticks. Froment's sign test showed that the interphalangeal(IP)joint of the right thumb that had flexed preoperatively was extended. This finding was considered to indicate recovery from ulnar neuropathy, and the patient was closely followed up. One year later, the patient was unable to push a camera shutter button and was unable to flex the IP joint of the thumb and the distal interphalangeal(DIP)joint of the index finger, a characteristic symptom of anterior interosseous nerve(AIN)palsy. Therefore, the patient underwent AIN neurolysis and subsequently reported slight improvement in his condition. Case 2: A 60-year-old woman reported difficulty performing computer mouse clicks with her right hand. As flexing the index finger DIP joint was difficult, a local lesion was suspected, and the patient was closely followed up. One year later, the patient was unable to push the button of a ballpoint pen with her thumb. Extension of the thumb and index finger indicated AIN palsy. The patient refused treatment and was only followed up. The following year, the patient reported that the weakness improved. Simultaneous flexion palsy of the thumb and index finger can lead to a diagnosis of AIN palsy. However, flexion palsy of a single finger in incomplete AIN palsy, as reported here, is often overlooked because of its similarity to the flexor tendon rupture. Awareness regarding this incomplete form of AIN palsy is needed for early and correct diagnosis.

Therapeutic strategy for acute spinal cord paralysis by epidural hematoma derived from the application of non-operative observation and the optimal timing to convert to surgical intervention.

Some cases of acute spinal cord paralysis by epidural hematoma have made complete recovery through natural progression. This group cannot be ignored in choosing a therapy. We have considered the applications of non-operative observation and the optimal timing to convert to surgical intervention. Of the 454 cases reported, cases that were of trauma/post-operative, undergone epidural block, lumbosacral level, paralysis-free, were excluded. 10 clinical items were identified as factors related to the outcome of therapy, and a total of 142 cases (73 surgical and 69 non-surgical/observation cases) which included all items in its record, were extracted for this study. 104 cases that made complete recovery from spinal paralysis (CR) includes 65 cases without surgical intervention (NOP-CR). Using "paralysis recovery start time (PRST)", ROC analysis was conducted to show the diagnostic time needed to detect the cases of CR and NOP-CR. Clinical characteristics of CR and NOP-CR were identified using multiple logistics regression analysis. CR probability were higher at PRST < 15 h from the onset and NOP-CR was even higher at < 11 h. Three clinical items: incomplete motor paralysis, no use of anti-coagulant therapy, and PRST within 15 h were found to be the characteristics of CR and NOP-CR. The case with all 3 items; especially PRST within 11 h from onset, is applicable to non-operative observation. Immediate surgical intervention at 6-hours is recommended in cases that presented with unchanged complete motor paralysis. Observation treatment is discontinued and converted to surgery if motor usefulness is not regained at 15-hours.

Nonclassified Lymphoma as a Cause of Radial Nerve Paralysis in a Horse.

A 4-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding was evaluated for acute non-weight-bearing lameness of the right thoracic limb with swelling in the right shoulder region. Physical examination revealed radial nerve paralysis of unknown etiology. The primary differential diagnosis was musculoskeletal trauma. Ultrasonography of the right shoulder region identified a heterogeneous mass that extended from the point of the shoulder to the thoracic inlet. Cytologic analysis of fluid collected by fine needle aspirate of the mass was consistent with large cell lymphoma. Based on the cytological findings, locally invasive neoplasia was diagnosed and considered the likely cause of the radial nerve paralysis. Because of the poor prognosis, the horse was euthanized, and postmortem examination confirmed the diagnosis of a nonclassified large cell lymphoma that extended from the deep tissues of the right pectoral muscle group into the thoracic inlet and pleural cavity, as well as the right brachial plexus. The mass in the region of the brachial plexus encompassed and mechanically compressed all of the nerves within the area, resulting in the clinical sign of radial nerve paralysis. Although neoplasia as a cause of radial nerve paralysis is rare, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis, regardless of age.

Bilateral isolated C5 paralysis of the shoulder: Atypical presentation of a transdiscal C4-C5 cervical spine fracture.

After a low-energy fall, an 83-year-old man presented with bilateral weakness of the upper arms without loss of sensation associated with a rigid cervical spine (ankylosing spinal disorder, ASD). Because of an atypical presentation during history, examination and initial imaging, a late diagnosis of a transdiscal C4-C5 fracture was made by dynamic radiographs. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion were performed with delay. Strength improved from grade C to D (American Spinal Injury Association classification) after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first description of a bilateral, isolated upper limb C5 paralysis without any loss of sensation caused by a transdiscal C4-C5 fracture. A high clinical and diagnostic index of suspicion is mandatory to make the diagnosis. We present three clinical 'Awareness Criteria' (1: recognition of ASD; 2: high index of fracture suspicion; 3: necessary imaging) helping clinicians to safely and promptly diagnose occult spinal fractures in ASD.

Long-term course of phrenic nerve injury after cryoballoon ablation of atrial fibrillation.

While phrenic nerve palsy (PNP) due to cryoballoon pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) of atrial fibrillation (AF) was transient in most cases, no studies have reported the results of the long-term follow-up of PNP. This study aimed to summarize details and the results of long-term follow-up of PNP after cryoballoon ablation. A total of 511 consecutive AF patients who underwent cryoballoon ablation was included. During right-side PVI, the diaphragmatic compound motor action potential (CMAP) was reduced in 46 (9.0%) patients and PNP occurred in 29 (5.7%) patients (during right-superior PVI in 20 patients and right-inferior PVI in 9 patients). PNP occurred despite the absence of CMAP reduction in 0.6%. The PV anatomy, freezing parameters and the operator's proficiency were not predictors of PNP. While PNP during RSPVI persisted more than 4 years in 3 (0.6%) patients, all PNP occurred during RIPVI recovered until one year after the ablation. However, there was no significant difference in the recovery duration from PNP between PNP during RSPVI and RIPVI. PNP occurred during cryoballoon ablation in 5.7%. While most patients recovered from PNP within one year after the ablation, PNP during RSPVI persisted more than 4 years in 0.6% of patients.

Preoperative electrophysiologic assessment of C5-innervated muscles in predicting C5 palsy after posterior cervical decompression.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of both needle electromyography (EMG) and proximal nerve conduction studies (NCS) in predicting C5 palsy after posterior cervical decompression. METHODS: This study included 192 patients with cervical myelopathy undergoing laminoplasty or laminectomy. Preoperatively, all patients accepted bilateral needle EMG detection and proximal NCS that consisted of supramaximally stimulating Erb's point and recording compound muscle action potential (CMAP) from bilateral deltoid. RESULTS: In the present study, 11 (11/192, 5.7%) patients developed unilateral C5 palsy after operation, and more patients with C5 palsy showed abnormal spontaneous activity in C5-innervated muscles compared to those without C5 palsy (8/11 vs. 16/181, p < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of spontaneous activity in C5-innervated muscles in predicting postoperative C5 palsy were 72.7% and 91.2%, respectively. Furthermore, there were significant left-to-right differences of deltoid CMAP amplitudes between the patients with and without C5 palsy (p < 0.05), and this measurement was also demonstrated to be useful for distinguishing patients with C5 palsy from cases without C5 palsy by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (cut-off value: 2.1 mV, sensitivity: 63.6%; specificity: 95.0%). In addition, the sensitivity and specificity of a series application of these two measurements were 63.6% and 100.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study support the hypothesis that pre-existing progressive C5 root injury may be a risk factor for C5 palsy after posterior cervical decompression. Clinically, the estimation of NCS and needle EMG in C5-innervated muscles may provide additional useful information for predicting C5 palsy after cervical spinal surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I: Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with the consistently applied reference standard and blinding.

Characteristics of Upper Extremity Recovery in Acute Flaccid Myelitis: A Case Series.

BACKGROUND: Clinical characteristics and timing associated with nonsurgical recovery of upper extremity function in acute flaccid myelitis are unknown. METHODS: A single-institution retrospective case series was analyzed to describe clinical features of acute flaccid myelitis diagnosed between October of 2013 and December of 2016. Patients were consecutively sampled children with a diagnosis of acute flaccid myelitis who were referred to a hand surgeon. Patient factors and initial severity of paralysis were compared with upper extremity muscle strength outcomes using the Medical Research Council scale every 3 months up to 18 months after onset. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with acute flaccid myelitis (aged 2 to 16 years) were studied. Proximal upper extremity musculature was more frequently and severely affected, with 56 percent of patients affected bilaterally. Functional recovery of all muscle groups (≥M3) in an individual limb was observed in 43 percent of upper extremities within 3 months. Additional complete limb recovery to greater than or equal to M3 after 3 months was rarely observed. Extraplexal paralysis, including spinal accessory (72 percent), glossopharyngeal/hypoglossal (28 percent), lower extremity (28 percent), facial (22 percent), and phrenic nerves (17 percent), was correlated with greater severity of upper extremity paralysis and decreased spontaneous recovery. There was no correlation between severity of paralysis or recovery and patient characteristics, including age, sex, comorbidities, prodromal symptoms, or time to paralysis. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous functional limb recovery, if present, occurred early, within 3 months of the onset of paralysis. The authors recommend that patients without signs of early recovery warrant consideration for early surgical intervention and referral to a hand surgeon or other specialist in peripheral nerve injury. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, III.

Anterior Cervical Decompression and C5 Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Three Reconstructive Surgeries.

STUDY DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed with the literature including the case of C5 palsy following anterior cervical decompression surgery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare three reconstructive procedures of anterior cervical decompression, the incidences of delayed C5 palsy and other complications were assessed. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Delayed C5 palsy is now a well-known complication after cervical decompression surgery. The etiology of C5 palsy has been studied, especially after posterior surgery. However, in anterior surgery there has been a lack of investigation due to procedure variation. Additionally, limited evidence exists regarding the risk of C5 palsy in surgical procedures. METHODS: We performed an extensive literature search for C5 palsy and other complications with ACDF, ACCF, and their combination (Hybrid). Gross incidences of C5 palsy after these three procedures were compared, and specific superiorities (or inferiorities) were investigated via comparison of binary outcomes between two of three groups using odds ratios (OR). RESULTS: Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 3098 patients were included and 5.8% of those developed C5 palsy. Meta-analyses demonstrated that ACDF had a lower risk of palsy than ACCF (OR 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.16-0.78), whereas ACDF versus Hybrid (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.24-1.51) and Hybrid versus ACCF (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.29-4.32) were not significantly different. Although these differences were not observed in shorter lesion subgroups, there were significant differences between the three procedures in longer lesion subgroups (P = 0.0005). Meta-analyses revealed that in longer lesions, ACDF had a significantly lower incidence than ACCF (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.22-0.82). Additionally, Hybrid surgery was noninferior for palsy occurrence compared to ACCF, and suggested a trend for reduced rates of other complications compared to ACCF. CONCLUSION: ACDF may yield better outcomes than Hybrid and ACCF. Furthermore, Hybrid may have advantages over ACCF in terms of surgical complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Improvement in the results of the simple-foot-tapping test and cross-sectional area of the dural sac in patients with C5 palsy after posterior cervical spine surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The smaller cross-sectional areas of the dural sacs in patients without C5 palsy after posterior cervical spine surgery may lead to less neurological improvement. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to clarify the differences in the cross-sectional area of the dural sac in the cervical spine and neurological improvement in patients with and without C5 palsy after posterior cervical spinal surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the postoperative cross-sectional areas of the dural sacs and neurological outcomes in patients with and without C5 palsy after posterior cervical spine surgery. We compared the postoperative cross-sectional areas of the dural sac at C4/5 and C5/6 on magnetic resonance images between the C5 palsy group (n = 19) and the no-C5 palsy group (n = 84) after posterior cervical spinal surgery 1 year postoperatively. Performance tests, namely, the 10-s grip-and-release test and the 10-s single-foot-tapping (FT) test, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Postoperative cross-sectional areas of the dural sac at C4/5 and C5/6 (233.3 mm2 and 226.6 mm2, respectively) in the C5 palsy group were significantly larger (P = 0.0036 and P = 0.0039, respectively) than those (195.0 mm2 and 193.8 mm2, respectively) in the no-C5 palsy group. Postoperative gain in the grip-and-release test was similar between the two groups. Postoperative gain in the FT test (4.9 times) in the C5 palsy group was significantly larger (P = 0.0060) than that (1.8 times) in the no-C5 palsy group. CONCLUSIONS: In the C5 palsy group 1 year after posterior cervical spine surgery, the cross-sectional areas of the dural sac were larger, and the 10-s single FT test improved noticeably.

Todd's paresis following vasovagal syncope provoked by tilt-table testing.

A 38-year-old woman presented with a history of recurrent episodes of transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) with seizure-like activity and post-TLOC left sided paresis. Electroencephalogram and MRI of the brain were normal, and events were not controlled by anti-convulsant therapy. Tilt testing produced reflex mixed pattern vasovagal syncope, with exact symptom reproduction, including bilateral upper and lower limb myoclonic movements and post-TLOC left hemiparesis that persisted for 27 min. A witness for the tilt event confirmed reproduction of patients 'typical' TLOC event. Syncope is the most frequent cause of TLOC. Myoclonic movements during syncope are not uncommon and can be misdiagnosed as epilepsy. It is rare to experience paresis after syncope, which in this case, lead to misdiagnosis and unnecessary anti-convulsant treatment.

[Keraunoparalysis after lightning injury with transient ischaemia and paralysis of an extremity].

Keraunoparalysis is a transient paralysis of the extremities, which results from close contact with lightning. In this case report, a 58-year-old man came in close contact with a bolt of lightning. His left foot was pulseless, pale, cold and with absence of capillary refill. His symptoms were initially interpreted as arterial occlusion, and therefore bypass surgery and even amputation were considered. However, his symptoms resolved within hours. Therefore, clinicians must consider keranoparalysis as a differential diagnosis in patients struck by lightning.