Toward a Consensus for Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography Education in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: A National Poll of Residency Directors.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to evaluate integration of musculoskeletal ultrasonography education in physical medicine and rehabilitation training programs in 2014-2015, when the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Residency Review Committee both recognized it as a fundamental component of physiatric practice, to identify common musculoskeletal ultrasonography components of physical medicine and rehabilitation residency curricula, and to identify common barriers to integration. DESIGN: Survey of 78 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited physical medicine and rehabilitation residency programs was conducted. RESULTS: The 2015 survey response rate was more than 50%, and respondents were representative of programs across the United States. Most programs (80%) reported teaching musculoskeletal ultrasonography, whereas a minority (20%) required mastery of ultrasonography skills for graduation. Ultrasonography curricula varied, although most programs agreed that the scope of resident training in physical medicine and rehabilitation should include diagnostic and interventional musculoskeletal ultrasonography, especially for key joints (shoulder, elbow, knee, wrist, hip, and ankle) and nerves (median, ulnar, fibular, tibial, radial, and sciatic). Barriers to teaching included insufficient expertise of instructors, poor access to equipment, and lack of a structured curriculum. CONCLUSIONS: Musculoskeletal ultrasonography has become a required component of physical medicine and rehabilitation residency training. Based on survey responses and expert recommendations, we propose a structure for musculoskeletal ultrasonography curricular standards and milestones for trainee competency.

Surveillance with duplex ultrasound in traumatic spinal cord injury on initial admission to rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by surveillance duplex ultrasound in the traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) population on admission to rehabilitation. DESIGN: Retrospective sequential case series. SETTING: Midwest regional, university-based, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities-accredited acute rehabilitation center. METHODS: Charts of all patients with traumatic SCI admitted and discharged from January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1998 were reviewed. Preadmission data were collected on demographics, severity of injury, and DVT prophylaxis information, along with rehabilitation duplex ultrasound results and incidence of thromboembolic events. RESULTS: Ninety-two participants met the inclusion criteria. There were 68 men and 24 women with a mean age on admission of 32.4 years. On admission, 45 participants (49%) were classified as tetraplegic and 47 (51%) were classified as paraplegic; 63 (69%) had motor-complete lesions and 29 (31%) had motor-incomplete lesions. Of all the participants, 8 (8.7%) were found to have DVT on admission to rehabilitation. There were no statistically significant differences among participants with regard to age, sex, level of injury, or completeness of injury, when comparing those participants with DVT on admission, those without DVT on admission, and those with thromboembolic events diagnosed later in their hospitalization. Of the 84 participants who had negative duplex ultrasounds on admission, 4 individuals (4.8%) were found to have DVT and 4 (4.8%) had pulmonary emboli subsequently. In these 84 participants, DVT prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin was found to be more effective than was adjusted-dose heparin in preventing thromboembolic phenomenon. CONCLUSION: Incidence of DVT remains high despite prophylaxis in traumatic SCI patients. Two thirds of DVT diagnosed in rehabilitation was identified on admission and one third was diagnosed later. Duplex ultrasound is an effective and valuable tool that assists in the diagnosis of asymptomatic DVT in patients with traumatic SCI who are initiating in-patient rehabilitation.

Severe trismus as a complication of cerebrovascular accident: a case report.

Spastic hypertonia is a common sequelae after a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and is a component of an upper motoneuron lesion. Management of spastic hypertonia may involve the use of centrally acting agents, peripheral blockade, and ablative therapies. We report a case of spastic hypertonia leading to severe trismus after CVA that was successfully treated with botulinum toxin type A. Severe trismus is a potentially life-threatening condition that may lead to permanent functional impairment if not promptly diagnosed and treated. Using electromyography for botulinum toxin muscle selection in this case appears to have helped decrease the dose of botulinum toxin given as well as minimize potential side effects.

Hypothermia associated with autonomic dysreflexia after traumatic spinal cord injury.

Individuals with traumatic upper thoracic and cervical spinal cord injuries are at increased risk for the development of both thermoregulatory dysfunction and autonomic dysreflexia. It is unclear, however, what effect reflex autonomic sympathetic outflow has on thermoregulatory dysfunction during episodes of autonomic dysreflexia. The following case of an individual with C5 tetraplegia and both thermoregulatory dysfunction and autonomic dysreflexia illustrates the profound effects that the autonomic nervous system may have on body temperature in individuals at risk for this complication.

Aerophagia as a cause of ineffective phrenic nerve pacing in high tetraplegia: a case report.

We report an unusual case of aerophagia after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), which shows the profound effects of abdominal distension on respiratory ability in such individuals. In this case, abdominal distension resulting from aerophagia reduced the effectiveness of phrenic nerve pacing on diaphragm function necessitating greater use of positive-pressure ventilatory (PPV) support. Reduction of postprandial gastric air and abdominal distension with insertion of a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube ameliorated the condition and allowed for more effective phrenic nerve pacing and greater PPV-free breathing. We are unaware of a similar case involving an individual with an SCI.

Monitoring of creatinine kinase during weaning of intrathecal baclofen and with symptoms of early withdrawal.

Abrupt withdrawal from intrathecal baclofen (ITB) can result in severe rebound spasticity, confusion, and seizures. It has been recently recognized that abrupt withdrawal from ITB may, in rare cases, result in life-threatening rhabdomyolysis, hyperthermia, autonomic disturbances, and sepsis-like presentations. Early recognition of the most severe forms of the withdrawal syndrome is essential for effective intervention. The common and unique features in such individuals seem to be severe increased spasticity and marked elevation in creatinine kinase levels. This case of an individual with T4 paraplegia with recurrent episodes of ITB withdrawal associated with severe spasticity and elevated creatinine kinase levels who required rapid weaning of high-dose ITB to allow removal of an infected pump and catheter illustrates the value of monitoring creatinine kinase levels in evaluation of suspected ITB withdrawal and during rapid weaning of ITB when necessary.

Cost-effectiveness of duplex ultrasound surveillance in spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: To determine cost-effectiveness of surveillance with duplex ultrasound for thromboembolic disease in individuals with acute traumatic spinal cord injury at admission to rehabilitation. DESIGN: In this retrospective sequential case series study, individuals with traumatic spinal cord injury admitted to our rehabilitation facility between July 1, 1988, and December 31, 1998, were identified. Cost at our institution for treatment of thromboembolic disease was tabulated in 2001-2002 dollar amounts. Using this cost information, in a statistical model founded on available medical evidence, analysis for cost-effectiveness was then performed. RESULTS: A total of 369 subjects met inclusion criteria. Based on the statistical model, the cost and estimated mortality from thromboembolic disease per subject when performing admission duplex ultrasounds was $449.28 and 0.016%, respectively. The estimated total cost per subject when not performing admission duplex ultrasounds was $136.29, with predicted mortality of 0.524% due to thromboembolic disease. Therefore, cost of one life saved when performing admission duplex ultrasound surveillance is calculated to be $61,542, with cost per life year gained between $1193 and $9050, depending on age at time of injury and severity of injury. CONCLUSION: Duplex ultrasound is a cost-effective tool for deep venous thrombosis surveillance in individuals with acute traumatic spinal cord injury admitted to rehabilitation programs.

Early recognition of neuroleptic malignant syndrome during traumatic brain injury rehabilitation.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare disorder that manifests with hyperthermia, muscle rigidity and autonomic instability. Presented is a case series of individuals with traumatic brain injury and agitation who, when treated with neuroleptics, developed neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Although the incidence of this syndrome is rare, it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The onset of symptoms inconsistent with the patient's current level of recovery should alert the clinician to consider other possible diagnosis and failure to distinguish the features of neuroleptic malignant syndrome from post-traumatic agitation will delay appropriate intervention for this potentially life-threatening disorder.