Avaliação da eficácia do uso dos monofilamentos de Semmes-Weinstein para avaliação da sensibilidade abdominal / Evaluation of the effectiveness of Semmes­Weinstein monofilaments in assessing abdominal sensitivity

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar se o método de Semmes-Weinstein tem resultados consistentes e verificar se existem diferenças de sensibilidade entre as regiões da parede abdominal. MÉTODOS: Os monofilamentos de Semmes-Weinstein foram utilizados para avaliar a sensibilidade da pele à pressão abdominal em 20 voluntárias. A pele abdominal foi dividida em nove regiões. A avaliação da sensibilidade cutânea à pressão foi realizada três vezes em cada área, com um intervalo de uma semana entre as medidas. RESULTADOS: Analisando-se as três medidas em cada área, isoladamente, não houve diferenças significativas no limiar pressórico. No entanto, o método de Semmes-Weinstein mostrou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os valores pressóricos obtidos de cada região abdominal. CONCLUSÕES: Os monofilamentos de Semmes-Weinstein são consistentes para avaliar a sensibilidade da pele abdominal à pressão. Notou-se que o método de Semmes-Weinstein mostrou diferença estatisticamente significativa entre as diferentes áreas da região abdominal. Utilizando-se a metodologia do presente estudo, foi possível estabelecer um protocolo para reduzir o aspecto subjetivo, medindo a sensibilidade à pressão.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments could be used to reliably assess the sensitivities of different abdominal wall regions. METHODS: Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments were used to evaluate skin sensitivity to abdominal pressure in 20 volunteers. The abdominal skin was divided into nine regions. The assessment of skin sensitivity to pressure was carried out three times in each area, with 1 week intervals between measurements. RESULTS: No significant differences in the pressure threshold were observed when the three measurements in each region were analyzed separately. However, with the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament technique, a statistically significant difference was observed between the values of pressure obtained in each abdominal region. CONCLUSIONS: Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments are a reliable tool in evaluating abdominal skin sensitivity to pressure. A statistically significant difference was observed between the different areas of the abdominal region with this technique. With the method reported in this study, it was possible to establish a protocol to reduce subjectivity and measure the skin sensitivity to pressure.

Natural history of anterior chest wall numbness after plating of clavicle fractures: educating patients.

OBJECTIVES: Improved patient outcomes after plating of displaced clavicle fractures have been demonstrated by recent clinical studies. Many of these patients, however, complain of anterior chest wall numbness after this procedure; we hypothesize that numbness likely persists long term for many patients, but without effect on shoulder function. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Adult patients undergoing plating of a displaced middle third diaphyseal clavicle fracture. INTERVENTION: Open reduction and internal fixation with superior clavicle plating. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome is anterior chest wall numbness size (in square centimeters) and location as measured with a numbness transparency grid. Secondary outcomes include Visual Analog scale, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand, and Constant scores 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: Twenty-five of 27 consecutive patients met inclusion/exclusion criteria, with 92% 1-year follow-up. Numbness at 2 weeks is very common, involving 83% of patients, with a mean area of 44 cm. Numbness at 1 year remains relatively common, involving 52% of patients, with a mean area of 15 cm (66% decrease in area from 2 weeks, P = 0.009). Numbness at 2 weeks predicted a 63% chance of continued 1-year numbness (37% resolved); Constant, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand, and Visual Analog scale pain scores remained excellent in all patients at final follow-up, without correlation between numbness and outcome measures (r < 0.170). CONCLUSIONS: Anterior chest wall numbness after open reduction internal fixation of displaced clavicle fractures is very common in the early postoperative period and may remain high 1 year postoperatively. Numbness 1 year after surgery is not associated with poor clinical outcome measures. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic level IV. See instructions for authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Prognostic value of thumb pain sensation in birth brachial plexopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of absent thumb pain sensation in newborns and young infants with birth brachial plexopathy. METHODS: We evaluated 131 patients with birth brachial plexopathy with less than two months of age. Pain sensation was evoked by thumb nail bed compression to evaluate sensory fibers of the upper trunk (C6). The patients were followed-up monthly. Patients with less than antigravity elbow flexion at six months of age were considered to have a poor outcome. RESULTS: Thirty patients had absent thumb pain sensation, from which 26 showed a poor outcome. Sensitivity of the test was 65% and specificity was 96%. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of thumb pain sensation should be included in the clinical assessment of infants with birth brachial plexopathy.

Prognostic value of thumb pain sensation in birth brachial plexopathy / Valor prognóstico da sensibilidade dolorosa do polegar na plexopatia braquial relacionada ao parto

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prognostic value of absent thumb pain sensation in newborns and young infants with birth brachial plexopathy. METHODS: We evaluated 131 patients with birth brachial plexopathy with less than two months of age. Pain sensation was evoked by thumb nail bed compression to evaluate sensory fibers of the upper trunk (C6). The patients were followed-up monthly. Patients with less than antigravity elbow flexion at six months of age were considered to have a poor outcome. RESULTS: Thirty patients had absent thumb pain sensation, from which 26 showed a poor outcome. Sensitivity of the test was 65% and specificity was 96%. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of thumb pain sensation should be included in the clinical assessment of infants with birth brachial plexopathy.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o valor prognóstico da hipoestesia dolorosa no polegar em recém-nascidos e lactentes jovens com plexopatia braquial obstétrica. MÉTODOS: Avaliamos 131 pacientes com plexopatia braquial obstétrica com menos de dois meses de idade. A sensação dolorosa foi provocada pela compressão do leito ungueal do polegar para avaliar fibras sensitivas do tronco superior (C6). Os pacientes foram seguidos mensalmente. Prognóstico desfavorável foi atribuído aos pacientes sem força antigravitacional para flexão do cotovelo aos seis meses de idade. RESULTADOS: Trinta pacientes apresentaram hipoestesia dolorosa do polegar, dos quais 26 tiveram prognóstico desfavorável. A sensibilidade do teste foi de 65% e a especificidade 96%. CONCLUSÃO: A avaliação da sensibilidade dolorosa do polegar deve ser incluída na avaliação clínica de pacientes com plexopatia braquial obstétrica.

Síndrome disautonómico de Ross: variaciones de un tema / Disautonomic Ross syndrome: variations about one theme

El síndrome de Ross fue descrito en 1958 como una afección degenerativa del sistema nervioso autónomo definido por la tríada de anhidrosis generalizada, disminución de los reflejos tendinosos y pupila tónica. Desde su descripción inicial se han descrito cerca de cuarenta casos. Comunicamos tres pacientes con variantes de interés que incluyen la presencia de espasmos cíclicos espontáneos del esfínter de iris, el desarrollo conjunto de síndrome de Holmes-Adie en un lado y síndrome Horner posganglionar en el otro, trastornos del desarrollo piloso en el lado de la anhidrosis, alteraciones de la motilidad intestinal, lengua sin papilas gustativas y disfunción sexual.

Ross Syndrome was described in 1958 as a degenerative condition of the autonomic nervous system defined by a triad of generalized anhidrosis, reduction of tendon reflexes and tonic pupil. Since its initial description about 40 cases have been described. We communicate three cases with variants of interest involving the presence of the simultaneous development of syndrome of Holmes-Adie on one side and Horner syndrome in the other, disorders of pilous follicle development on the side of anhidrosis, spontaneous disturbances of intestinal motility, tonque without papillae and sexual dysfunction.

Post-bariatric abdominoplasty: skin sensation evaluation.

BACKGROUND: The number of bariatric surgeries is progressively increasing in the USA and in Brazil. The number of post-bariatric plastic surgeries also increases as a response to this phenomenon. Abdominoplasties performed in former morbidly obese patients present a larger number of postoperative complications. Studies show that abdominoplasty caused postoperative skin hypesthesia. This study aims at evaluating skin sensibility/sensation in post-bariatric patients submitted to anchor-line abdominoplasty with clinical, qualitative, reliable and reproductive methods. METHODS: Thirty-nine former morbidly obese women after open Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass were evaluated for skin tactile pain, touch in movement, noxious and innocuous thermal sensibility and vibration. Fifteen patients composed the Control group (which did not undergo abdominoplasty) and 24 patients composed the Study group (which was submitted to anchor-line abdominoplasty without flap undermining). The sensations were evaluated before and after the abdominoplasty. RESULTS: The Control group which did not undergo abdominoplasty showed nearly 100% of positivity to all sensory modalities exception made to vibration which was 56.4-62.2-64.9%. Surprisingly, the Study group showed the same sensation maintenance after the abdominoplasty for nearly all modalities, vibration showed improvement (56.7-71.1-78.3%) without statistical value (p = 0.67). CONCLUSION: There was skin sensation maintenance after anchor-line post-bariatric abdominoplasty. Non-undermining of xipho-pubic flap is a possible reason for this discovery.

Trigeminal sensory neuropathy and facial contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp.

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal sensory neuropathy (TSN) describes a heterogeneous group of disorders manifesting as facial numbness. OBJECTIVE: We report the case of a patient who had TSN associated with contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp. METHOD/RESULTS: A 21-year-old female patient developed left hemifacial contact dermatitis after exposure to the anthurium plant. The patient had paresthesias and pain in the V2 and V3 divisions of the left trigeminal nerve. Eight days after its onset the dermatitis resolved, but numbness developed in the V2 and V3 divisions of the left trigeminal nerve. Cranial CT scan and MRI, as well as CSF and extensive work-up exams, were normal. After one month the symptoms disappeared completely. CONCLUSION: Anthurium sp, an indoor ornamental plant that contains calcium oxalate crystals, and can causes contact dermatitis. To our knowledge, this is the first report associating TSN with contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp.

Trigeminal sensory neuropathy and facial contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp

BACKGROUND: Trigeminal sensory neuropathy (TSN) describes a heterogeneous group of disorders manifesting as facial numbness. OBJECTIVE: We report the case of a patient who had TSN associated with contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp. METHOD/RESULTS: A 21-year-old female patient developed left hemifacial contact dermatitis after exposure to the anthurium plant. The patient had paresthesias and pain in the V2 and V3 divisions of the left trigeminal nerve. Eight days after its onset the dermatitis resolved, but numbness developed in the V2 and V3 divisions of the left trigeminal nerve. Cranial CT scan and MRI, as well as CSF and extensive work-up exams, were normal. After one month the symptoms disappeared completely. CONCLUSION: Anthurium sp, an indoor ornamental plant that contains calcium oxalate crystals, and can causes contact dermatitis. To our knowledge, this is the first report associating TSN with contact dermatitis due to Anthurium sp.

INTRODUÇÃO: A neuropatia trigeminal sensitiva (NTS) representa um grupo heterogêneo de doenças, cuja manifestação clínica é a presença de dormência na região facial. OBJETIVO: Relatamos o caso de paciente que apresenta NTS associada com dermatite de contato (DC) devido à planta Anthurium sp. MÉTODO/RESULTADOS: Uma paciente com 21 anos desenvolveu DC na região hemi-facial esquerda, após exposição à planta Anthurium sp. Após a resolução do quadro de dermatite, a referida paciente apresentou dormência e parestesias no território do segundo e terceiro ramos do nervo trigêmeo esquerdo. Um mês após o início do quadro houve resolução completa dos sintomas. CONCLUSÃO: O Anthurium é uma planta ornamental que contém cristas de oxalato de cálcio, que podem causar DC. Para o nosso conhecimento este é o primeiro relato associando NTS e dermatite de contato devido à exposição ao Anthurium sp.

Surface alterations, corneal hypoesthesia, and iris atrophy in patients with climatic droplet keratopathy.

PURPOSE: To present external eye findings and the observation of iris atrophy in patients with climatic droplet keratopathy (CDK). METHODS: Twenty-three patients with CDK and 13 controls living in a semideserted plain of the Argentine Patagonia were studied. Besides a comprehensive eye examination, Cochet-Bonnet aesthesiometry, Schirmer II test, breakup time (BUT), and surface staining were performed. According to corneal findings, eyes were grouped as grade 1 (confluent translucent microdroplets localized in the limbic region of the horizontal quadrants); grade 2 (band-shaped subepithelial haziness compromising the central cornea); and grade 3 (previously described lesions with yellow subepithelial droplets). Results were analyzed with the Fisher, Mann-Whitney, and Spearman tests, which were considered significant at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Nineteen of 23 patients with CDK had bilateral disease, which was asymmetric in 2 of them. Sixteen eyes had grade 1, 21 eyes had grade 2, and 5 eyes had grade 3 disease. Aesthesiometry showed that the more advanced the disease, the more profound the corneal hypoesthesia (P = 0.0008). BUT and ocular surface staining significantly differed between eyes with grade 3 and grade 1, grade 3 and grade 2, and grade 3 and controls. In 38.09% of eyes with CDK and in none of the controls, sectorial depigmentation and atrophy of the inferior iris were observed. CONCLUSIONS: A severe decrease of corneal sensitivity was observed in advanced stages of CDK. Some degree of dry eye was present in most patients, but severe disease was infrequent at any stage of CDK. Inferior iris depigmentation and atrophy was frequently observed among patients with CDK.

Proposal for a standardized protocol for the systematic orofacial examination of patients with Hereditary Sensory Radicular Neuropathy.

AIM: To apply a standardized protocol for the orofacial evaluation of two adult siblings (one male and one female) with Hereditary Sensory Radicular Neuropathy (HSRN) that presented with dental problems. SUMMARY: The systematic evaluation consisted of (a) clinical questionnaire; (b) radiographs [orthopantomography and computarized tomography (CT)]; (c) orofacial psychophysical tests (pain, thermal, mechanical and electrical sensation); and (d) histology of gingiva and pulp (optical and transmission electronic microscopy). The female patient had complete insensitivity to orofacial pain and partial facial heat sensitivity, and received dental treatment without anaesthesia or pain. She had a severe and painless jaw infection due to pulp necrosis in tooth 37. The male patient had partial insensitivity to orofacial pain and required anaesthesia for dental treatment. Histological examination of gingivae and pulpal tissue revealed an altered proportion of unmyelinated and myelinated sensory nerve fibres. KEY LEARNING POINTS: * Patients with HSRN may present with significant, silent dental disease. * A standard protocol is helpful when evaluating such patients. * If the opportunity arises, evaluation of pulp tissue may reveal an altered proportion of myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibres. This may avoid the more estabilished sural nerve biopsy.

Evaluation of cutaneous abdominal wall sensibility after abdominoplasty.

Changes in cutaneous sensibility are common after diverse plastic surgical procedures. Although prior studies examined aesthetic results, combined procedures, and new abdominoplasty techniques, few examined the effect of undermining on cutaneous sensibility. This study aimed to analyze and quantify cutaneous sensibility after classic abdominoplasty. Two groups of patients were studied: a control group of 10 patients without surgery and another group of 25 patients who had undergone classic abdominoplasty. The abdominal wall surface was divided into nine regions. Pain sensibility was evaluated by tests with needles, and thermal sensibility by test tubes containing hot and cold water. Superficial tactile sensibility was tested using the Pressure-Specified Sensory Device (PSSD), which is capable of determining the cutaneous pressure threshold. Statistical analysis was conducted using Student's 't-test'. The results showed a decrease in the three types of sensibility. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the groups for all regions tested. The centermost regions of the abdominal wall presented the highest index of analgesia and thermal anesthesia, as well as higher cutaneous pressure thresholds.

Sensibility of the abdomen after abdominoplasty.

Abdominal skin hypesthesia may occur after abdominoplasty. The purpose of this study was to find out (1) which sensibility modalities are decreased and (2) which areas of the abdominal wall are affected, so that patients can be warned preoperatively about this condition. Forty patients were divided in two groups of 20 patients each. In the control group, patients had no previous abdominal incisions. The sensibility evaluation of patients from the experimental group was made from 12 to 60 months after abdominoplasty, with an average of 31.5 months. These patients were divided into two groups of 10 patients each, a short-term follow-up group (12 to 30 months postoperatively) and a long-term follow-up group (31 to 60 months postoperatively). The abdominal skin was divided into 12 areas; nine were above the abdominoplasty incision and three were below it. Sensibility to superficial touch, superficial pain, and hot and cold modalities was recorded as positive in all areas by a variable number of patients of the experimental group. However, in area 8 (hypogastric area), a statistically significant number of patients had decreased sensibility in all sensibility modalities (Fisher's test and t test). Patients in the experimental group also showed decreased sensibility to hot and cold temperature in area 11 (pubic area). Sensibility to pressure decreased significantly in all areas of the abdomen when compared with the control group (t test). When patients of the short-term follow-up group were compared with those of the long-term follow-up group, there was no statistically significant difference for all modalities of sensibility in the areas studied, except for area 5. In this area it was found that long-term follow-up patients recovered sensibility to cold and hot temperatures. These findings help plastic surgeons to orient their patients about possible risk of exposure to injuries in the areas with decreased sensibility after abdominoplasty. Most importantly, as these patients have decreased sensibility to pressure and hot temperature in a more extensive area of the abdomen, they are exposed to a higher risk of burn injury.

Síndrome de distiquiasis linfedema / Distichiasis-lymphedema syndrome

Introducción. El síndrome de distiquiasis-linfedema es una anomalía congénita poco frecuente que transmite con carácter autosómico dominante. Se caracteriza por presentar una fila accesoria de pestañas a lo largo de la lámina posterio del borde libre del párpado a nivel de los orificios de las glándulas de Meibomio y linfedema que generalmente se presenta en la adolescencia. Caso Clínico. Se reporta el caso de una familia con síndrome de distiquiasis-linfedema en la cual el caso índice presentaba distiquiasis y la madre distiquiasis, linfedema crónico e hipoestesia corneal. Se describen los aspectos genéticos, clínicos y de tratamiento más relevantes de esta enfermedad. Conclusión. Es importante que el médico pediatra y oftalmólogo conozcan el síndrome de distiquiasis-linfedema para poder reconocer a tiempo las alteraciones oftalmológicas y sistémicas asociadas y así evitar sus complicaciones