Complete unilateral vision loss and optic nerve cupping from metastatic prostate cancer to the optic canal.

A 71-year-old man, living with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer to the lymph nodes, spine and skull, presented with acute on chronic left eye vision loss. Examination revealed no-light-perception vision, a relative afferent pupillary defect and optic disc cupping. MRI brain revealed optic canal narrowing from metastatic sphenoid bone expansion and extraosseous tumour compressing the intracanalicular optic nerve. The optic disc cupping and excavation without significant pallor of the remaining neuroretinal rim was likely secondary to chronic compression of the optic nerve. The patient was treated with radiation therapy, but did not regain vision and was referred to palliative care as his condition continued to worsen. As patients live longer with advanced cancer, there is a greater risk of metastasis to atypical areas of the body including the optic nerve. This case demonstrates the unique combination of optic disc cupping from optic canal metastasis due to prostate cancer.

[Selective ultrasound-guided hydrodissection of gastrocnemius nerve branch after post-surgical entrapment: Apropos of a case]. / Hidrodisección ecoguiada selectiva de rama nerviosa gemelar tras atrapamiento posquirúrgico: a propósito de un caso.

Chronic or recalcitrant plantar fasciitis is a cause of persistent plantar pain. These cases are usually resistant to conventional treatments consisting of exercises, orthoses, shock waves and infiltrations and require a surgical approach. Proximal medial gastrocnemius release is a surgical option that provides satisfactory results, but is not free of complications, which include injuries and nerve entrapment. We report the first published case of symptomatic medial gastrocnemius branch entrapment in the post-surgical scar of a tenotomy for the treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis. We propose ultrasound-guided hydrodissection with local anesthetic as a treatment with promising results.

Proctalgia y atrapamiento del nervio pudendo: una asociación por descubrir / Proctalgia and pudendal nerve entrapment: an association to know

Introducción: El síndrome de atrapamiento del nervio pudendo (SANP) es una entidad clínica, poco conocida en el ámbito de la Cirugía General, que comprende un amplio abanico de síntomas urinarios, sexuales y proctológicos. El interés para el cirujano general radica en toda la clínica que pueden presentar estos pacientes en la esfera proctológica. De diagnóstico complejo, exige un tratamiento secuencial que incluye distintas herramientas. El objetivo del presente estudio es exponer el SANP desde el punto de vista de la cirugía general, exponiendo un estudio realizado en pacientes afectos de proctalgia para valorar los resultados en el seguimiento a partir de los seis meses. Métodos: Presentamos un estudio observacional que evalúa 53 pacientes afectos de proctalgia en el contexto de un SANP que han sido sometidos a tratamiento con punción-hidrodistensión corticoideo-anestésica del nervio pudendo y sus ramas terminales, observando su respuesta inmediata en términos clínicos de dolor y en seguimiento a partir de los seis meses. Resultados: De los datos obtenidos de nuestra muestra, se observa que el tratamiento con dichas punciones mejora al 79,25 % de los pacientes en el periodo inmediato tras la punción, y el 39,62 % de los pacientes mantienen dicha mejoría a partir de los seis meses. Conclusiones: Concluimos que ante la presencia de proctalgia, el cirujano debe descartar la existencia de un SANP y que, según nuestro estudio, el tratamiento con punción corticoideoanestésica es una opción eficaz de tratamiento que logra mejorar a un importante porcentaje de pacientes

Introduction: Pudendal nerve entrapment (PNE) is a clinical syndrome, little known in the field of General Surgery, which includes a wide range of urinary, sexual and proctological symptoms. The interest for general surgeons lies in the whole clinical study that these patients may present as regards proctology. Complex diagnosis requires a sequential treatment that includes different tools. The aim of this study is to present PNE from the point of view of general surgery by showing a study carried out in patients with proctalgia to assess the results at follow-up after 6 months. Methods: We present an observational study evaluating 53 proctalgia patients in a PNE context who have undergone hydrocortisone puncture of the pudendal nerve, for anesthetic reasons, and its terminal branches, observing its immediate response in clinical terms of pain and in follow-up as from six months. Results: Based on the data obtained from our sample, it may be seen that the treatment with these punctures improves 79.25% of patients in the period immediately after puncture and 39.62% of patients maintain this improvement after the six months. Conclusions: We conclude that in the presence of proctalgia, surgeons should ignore the presence of PNE and that, according to our study, corticosteroid puncture treatment for anesthesia is an effective treatment option that provides relief to a significant percentage of patients

Anatomical variations of the pronator teres muscle in a Central European population and its clinical significance.

The pronator teres (PT) muscle is a forearm flexor with radial and ulnar heads. It is innervated by the median nerve (MN), which passes between these heads. Nerve entrapment, known as "PT syndrome", may occur in this passage. Anatomical variations in this region may be potential risk factors of this pathology. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the relationship between morphologic variations of the PT and the MN. In 50 isolated, formalin-fixed upper limbs, the cubital region and the forearm were dissected. The following measurements were taken: origin of the PT muscle heads, the length of these heads, the length of the forearm, diameter of the MN and the number of its muscular branches to the pronator teres muscle. The forearms with the humeral head originating from the medial humeral epicondyle and medial intermuscular septum (72%) were significantly shorter (p = 0.0088) than those where the humeral head originated only from the medial humeral epicondyle. Moreover, in these specimens, the MN was significantly thinner (p = 0.003). The ulnar head was present in 43 limbs (86%). The MN passed between the heads of the PT muscle (74%) or under the muscle (26%). In the majority of cases, it provided two motor branches (66%). There is an association between the morphologic variation of the PT muscle heads and the course and branching pattern of the MN. Both are related to differences in forearm length. This may have an impact on the risk of PT syndrome and the performance of MN electrostimulation.

Effects of biofeedback versus switch-triggered functional electrical stimulation on sciatica-related foot drop.

BACKGROUND: Sciatica-related Foot Drop is a peripheral nervous condition that produces a loss of power in the ankle dorsiflexion muscles. Functional electrical stimulation is a modality of electrical stimulation that produces muscle contraction in a functional movement of the limb. This technique was utilized with positive effects in central nervous afflictions but it is not known whether or not it has any influence in motor recovery following peripheral nervous system problems. This study aims to clarify the effects of functional electrical stimulation on foot drop caused by peripheral nerve compression resulting from lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: Fifty patients were enrolled in our study; of whom 25 were treated with EMG triggered electrical stimulation (EMG-FES) and 25 with heel-floor sensor triggered electrical stimulation (SWITCH-FES) during normal gait cycle. Patients received functional electrical stimulation (with a pulse of 60 Hz and phase duration of 200 ms) once a day, for 30 minutes during 5 consecutive days, over a period of 4 weeks. Electrical diagnostic tests (nerve conduction velocity/NCV and the amplitude of compound muscle action potential/CMAP), dynamometry and Osvestry Disability Index scores were measured at baseline and after treatment. RESULTS: We found that axonal loss was lower in the EMG-FES group than in the SWITCH-FES group (p< 0.004). The motor functional recovery was higher in terms of muscle force and overall functional status for the EMG-FES group compared to the SWITCH-FES group. This was underlined by Dynamometry test with a p value of < 0.0001 and ODI score with a statistical significant p value of < 0.0001. CONCLUSIONS: The overall results showed that there was a significant increase in all the parameters studied for both types of FES applications. However we found that the EMG triggered electrical stimulation technique had a higher influence on the quality of the muscle action control. For patients who cannot yet produce minimal muscle active contraction we recommend switch triggered stimulation first and then, immediately after the recovery of the motor control, to change to EMG triggered functional electrical stimulation.

Lateral Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (LACNES): A previously unrecognized cause of intractable flank pain.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Chronic abdominal pain may occasionally be due to terminal endings of intercostal nerves (ACNES, abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome) that are entrapped in the abdominal wall. Spontaneous neuropathic flank pain may also be caused by involvement of branches of these intercostal nerves. Aim is to describe a series of patients with flank pain due to nerve entrapment and to increase awareness for an unknown condition coined Lateral Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome (LACNES). METHODS: Patients possibly having LACNES (constant area of flank tenderness, small point of maximal pain with neuropathic characteristics, locoregional altered skin sensation) presenting between January 2007 and May 2016 received a diagnostic 5-10mL 1% lidocaine injection. Pain levels were recorded using a numerical rating scale (0, no pain to 10, worst possible). A >50% pain reduction was defined as success. Long term effect of injections and alternative therapies were determined using a satisfaction scale (1, very satisfied, no pain - 5, pain worse). RESULTS: 30 patients (21 women, median age 52, range 13-78) were diagnosed with LACNES. Pain following one injection dropped from 6.9±1.4 to 2.4±1.9 (mean, p<0.001) leading to an 83% immediate success rate. Repeated injection therapy was successful in 16 (pain free n=7, pain acceptable, n=9; median 42 months follow-up). The remaining 14 patients received (minimally invasive) surgery (n=5) or other treatments (medication, manual therapy or pulsed radiofrequency, n=9). Overall treatment satisfaction (scale 1 or 2) was attained in 79%. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: LACNES should be considered in patients with chronic flank pain. Injection therapy is long term effective in more than half of the population.

Load Carriage-Related Paresthesias (Part 2): Meralgia Paresthetica.

This is the second of a two-part series addressing symptoms, evaluation, and treatment of load carriage- related paresthesias. Part 1 addressed rucksack palsy and digitalgia paresthetica; here, meralgia paresthetica (MP) is discussed. MP is a mononeuropathy involving the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). MP has been reported in load carriage situations where the LFCN was compressed by rucksack hipbelts, pistol belts, parachute harnesses, and body armor. In the US military, the rate of MP is 6.2 cases/10,000 personyears. Military Servicewomen have higher rates than Servicemen, and rates increase with age, longer loadcarriage distance or duration, and higher body mass index. Patients typically present with pain, itching, and paresthesia on the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. There are no motor impairments or muscle weakness, because the LFCN is entirely sensory. Symptoms may be present on standing and/or walking, and may be relieved by adopting other postures. Clinical tests to evaluate MP include the pelvic compression test, the femoral nerve neurodynamic test, and nerve blocks using lidocaine or procaine. In cases where these clinical tests do not confirm the diagnosis, specialized tests might be considered, including somatosensory evoked potentials, sensory nerve conduction studies, high-resolution ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. Treatment should initially be conservative. Options include identifying and removing the compression if it is external, nonsteroidal inflammatory medication, manual therapy, and/or topical treatment with capsaicin cream. Treatments for intractable cases include injection of corticosteroids or local anesthetics, pulsed radiofrequency, electroacupuncture, and surgery. Military medical care providers may see cases of MP, especially if they are involved with units that perform regular operations involving load carriage.

Síndrome de cola de caballo tras tratamiento quiropráctico / Cauda equina syndrome after chiropractic treatment

No disponible

Progressão atípica de perda visual em paciente com glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto / Atypical progression of visual loss in a patient with primary open-angle glaucoma

A dolicoectasia da artéria carótida interna (ACI) é uma condição rara que pode ser acompanhada de manifestações neuro-oftalmológicas, como perda da acuidade e alteração do campo visual decorrente da compressão do nervo óptico (NO). O objetivo é relatar um caso de paciente do sexo masculino, 67 anos, portador de glaucoma primário de ângulo aberto (GPAA) com evolução atípica, assimetria de escavação, palidez da rima do NO à esquerda, devido à neuropatia óptica compressiva à esquerda, por segmento dolicoectásico da ACI. O diagnóstico foi baseado na história clínica, aspecto do NO e exames de neuroimagem.

Dolichoectasia of the internal carotid artery (ICA) is a rare condition that may be associated with neuro-ophthalmic manifestations, such as loss of visual acuity and visual field resulting from compression of the optic nerve (ON). The aim is to report a 67-year-old male patient with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) with atypical evolution, asymmetry of cupping and increased pallor of the rim of the left ON, due to compressive optic neuropathy by the dolichoectatic segment. The diagnosis was based on clinical history, appearance of the ON and neuroimaging.

[Compressive optic neuropathy secondary to a pituitary macroadenoma]. / Neuropathie optique compressive secondaire à un macroadénome hypophysaire.

INTRODUCTION: Pituitary adenoma is a common benign tumor representing 8 to 10% of intracranial mass lesions. The compressive optic neuropathy associated with a pituitary adenoma can be clinically indistinguishable from glaucomatous optic neuropathy. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old man with no significant past medical history had noticed a rapid decrease in visual acuity for 6 months. Funduscopic examination revealed glaucoma-like bilateral, asymmetric optic cupping. Brain MRI examination revealed a pituitary tumor compressing the optic chiasm. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of a compressive optic neuropathy associated with a pituitary adenoma can be difficult, since it often simulates chronic glaucoma. However, several features should alert the clinician to the possibility of a compressive optic neuropathy and prompt neuroimaging, in order to obtain earlier diagnosis and treatment.

Medial superior cluneal nerve entrapment neuropathy in military personnel; diagnosis and etiologic factors.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain caused by medial superior cluneal nerve entrapment (MSCNE) is an infrequent cause of unilateral low back pain. There is limited information about this neuropathy in the literature. In this study, the etiologic factors leading to this clinical entity were evaluated and also the clinical and imaging findings were examined. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was conducted in 3 groups. The study group included 25 patients with MSCNE, the hernia group included 25 patients with herniated nucleosus pulposus and the control group included 25 healthy subjects. The initial evaluation included lumbar computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the study and the hernia groups. The comparisons between these two groups were made by using clinical assessment questionnaires (SF-36 mental and physical health scores and Oswestry scale). Additionally, all three groups were compared by lumbosacral radiographies and low back superficial ultrasonographies. As treatment, 1 ml of prilocaine combined with 1 ml of steroid injection was used in the study group. RESULTS: In the study group, there was no disc herniation, facet joint problems, spinal stenosis or spondylolisthesis detected by CT or MRI. The SF-36 mental health score before treatment was lower in the study group than in the hernia group. The ultrasonographic examination detected a paravertebral hypoechogenic globular-shaped muscle disorganization associated with lipomatous degeneration exclusively localized to the trigger point in the study group. Both the mean soft tissue and the periiliac band thickness were significantly higher in the study group than in the other two groups. The lumbosacral radiographies did not show any significant difference in either the degree of lumbar spinal lordosis or the intercristal line levels among the three groups. CONCLUSION: This prospective study depicts the etiologic factors, ultrasonographic features and treatment protocol of MSCNE which is usually an underestimated cause of the low-back pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, Level I-1 (prospective study).

[Assessment of compressive optic neuropathy in hipofizar tumors]. / Evaluarea neuropatiei optice de compresie in tumorile hipofizare- aspecte morfologice calitative si cantitative.

PURPOSE: Assessment of optic nerve head configuration in eyes with compressive optic neuropathy due to pituitary tumors--morphological aspects of "band atrophy" (documented by fundus biomicroscopy and digital stereo disc photography) and quantitative analysis of topographic changes (testing the abilities of HRT and OCT in detection and analysis the specific pattern of nerve fiber layer loss in chiasmal compression). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Optic disc morphological assessment of compressive optic neuropathy in 56 patients with pituitary macroadenomas (documented by direct ophthalmoscopy, fundus biomicroscopy using Volk lens of 90 degrees and digital stereo disc photography using Zeiss Visucam digital camera). Stereometric analysis of "band atrophy" using HRT in 9 cases and OCT in 5 cases. RESULTS: The optic disc morphology evaluation of the 54 patients showed bilateral "band atrophy" in 7 cases, different evolutive aspects (temporal pallor, global pallor, optic disc cupping) in 29 cases and normal configuration in 5 cases. HRT evaluation: overestimation of rim parameters and underestimation of cup parameters; reduction of the RNFL thickness and RNFL cross sectional area in 6 cases; reduction of HVC values in 6 eyes and positive values in 1 eye. OCT analysis of the Avg. thickness: outside normal limits values in 6 eyes and borderline values in 4 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: HRT quantified RNFL thickness reduction for the long standing pituitary macroadenomas, its sensitivity increasing with the advanced stage of the compression, but lacking OCT's specificity. OCT is the election technique for documenting RNFL loss in compressive optic neuropathy due to pituitary tumors, more objective than conventional methods, especially in the process of postoperative management (subtle structural alterations being early detected before functional loss recordings.

A review of compressive ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.

OBJECTIVE: To review the anatomy, etiology, and symptoms associated with compressive ulnar neuropathy at the elbow and to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. DATA SOURCE: The following were searched for information relevant to cubital tunnel syndrome: MEDLINE, WorldCat, and Index to Chiropractic Literature. RESULTS: Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common nerve compression syndrome of the upper extremity. Clinical features of this syndrome are described along with electrodiagnostic techniques that can be used to provide evidence concerning the probable location, character, and severity of the lesion affecting the ulnar nerve. Conservative treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome is recommended for patients with intermittent symptoms and without changes in cutaneous sensation or muscle atrophy. CONCLUSION: A definitive diagnosis can best be made using clinical tests along with nerve conduction studies and electromyography, conservative treatment can be effective in treating this neuropathy in mild cases; in moderate or severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

Yoga neuropathy. A snoozer.

Sciatic nerve compression very rarely occurs bilaterally. The authors present a woman with profound lower extremity weakness and sensory abnormality after falling asleep in the head-to-knees yoga position (also called "Paschimottanasana"). Clinical and electrodiagnostic findings are discussed in detail and a brief review of the literature is presented.

Caudal spinal cord ischemia after lumbar vertebral manipulation.

Neurological complications after lumbar spine manipulation are uncommon. The cause is usually a herniated disk or displaced bony structure. We report a case of paraplegia that developed a few hours after manipulation of the lumbar spine. Magnetic resonance imaging was consistent with ischemia of the caudal spinal cord. No disk fragment or bony structure impinging on the spinal cord was seen. Spinal cord ischemia may deserve to be added to the list of possible adverse events after lumbar spine manipulation.

Neck-tongue syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss a case of neck-tongue syndrome (NTS) affecting a dancer/figure skater, review literature summarizing the pathogenesis and treatment, and offer new categorization of neck-tongue syndrome. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 24-year-old female dancer/skater sought treatment for recurrent episodes of right-sided upper neck pain with associated ipsilateral numbness of her tongue following brisk active rotation. Radiographs revealed a narrowing of the left para-odontoid space. Physical examination revealed a mildly painful restriction in rotation at C1-2 with no apparent muscular hypertonicity. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The patient had sought chiropractic treatment for this condition several times since she was 8 years old. Diversified chiropractic adjustments were applied to restrictions throughout the cervical spine as determined by the clinician. No other interventions were employed. The patient experienced significant improvement in frequency and intensity of the neck and tongue symptoms following spinal manipulative therapy applied to her cervical spine. CONCLUSIONS: There are 2 categories of NTS: complicated NTS due to the presence of an underlying disease process (inflammatory or degenerative) and uncomplicated NTS (idiopathic or trauma-related). This case report is of uncomplicated NTS that responded favorably to spinal manipulative therapy directed at the cervical spine. In the absence of upper cervical instability, spinal manipulative therapy appears to be beneficial and should be considered in all cases of uncomplicated NTS.