Correction to: The results of decompression of the musculocutaneous nerve entrapment in children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained an error. Tables and Supplementary are incorrectly processed during production. Given in this article are the correct tables.

The results of decompression of the musculocutaneous nerve entrapment in children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy.

PURPOSE: Elbow flexion is a key indicator of functional recovery in obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP). However, lack of flexion could be a result of an entrapped musculocutaneous nerve during the healing period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible compression of the musculocutaneous nerve and outcomes of decompression. METHODS: The study included 11 children aged with a mean age of 10.9 ± 2.7 months (range, 8-16 months) with Narakas 2 involvement OBPP, who had insufficient elbow flexion but had satisfactory shoulder abduction. Prior to surgery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to identify the entrapment. The children were evaluated pre-operatively and at 3 and 12 months postoperatively using the Active Movement Scale and Faradic Excitability Test. The musculocutaneous nerve was explored and decompressed in all the children. Regular physiotherapy and a home exercise programme were prescribed after surgery. RESULTS: The MRI findings were consistent with the surgical exploration in all the infants. Statistical analyses showed that decompression of the musculoskeletal nerve improved active movement scale scores on elbow flexion and faradic excitability test values of biceps brachii within 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Children with delayed elbow flexion and satisfactory shoulder abduction may have an entrapped musculocutaneous nerve in the proximal arm and decompression of the nerve improves elbow function.

Respiratory Dysfunction in Individuals With Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength and endurance in individuals with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and healthy participants. METHODS: Sixty-two individuals with TOS (mean age 30.81 ± 10.69 years; 10 male, 52 female) and 47 healthy individuals (mean age 30.64 ± 9.16 years; 14 male, 33 female) participated in this study. Pulmonary function testing was performed using a spirometer. Respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP] and maximal expiratory pressure [MEP]) were measured using a mouth pressure device. Respiratory muscle endurance was tested at 35% MIP and measured as the time in seconds from the start of the test to voluntary exhaustion. RESULTS: Age distribution and physical characteristics were similar between the groups (P > .05). All pulmonary function parameters except for peak expiratory flow rate were similar in patients with TOS and healthy controls (P > .05). Patients with TOS had significantly lower peak expiratory flow rate, MIP, MIP%, MEP, MEP%, and respiratory muscle endurance compared with controls (P < .05). Forty-six patients with TOS (74.2%) had MIP values below the lower limit of the 95% CI of the control group (97.05-113.88 cmH2O), and 53 patients with TOS (85.2%) had MEP values below the lower limit of the 95% CI of the control group (124.74-146.49 cmH2O). CONCLUSION: Expiratory flow rate and respiratory muscle strength and endurance may be adversely affected in TOS. Trunk muscles perform both postural and breathing functions. Therefore, disruption in one function may negatively affect the other.

Acute effects of manual therapy on respiratory parameters in thoracic outlet syndrome.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the acute effects of manual therapy on pain perception and respiratory parameters in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome. METHODS: The study included 10 patients with thoracic outlet syndrome (1 male, 9 females; mean age 31.3±9.0 years; range, 20 to 43 years). Patients were accepted in a single session of manual therapy involving the cervical spine and thorax. Stretching of scalene, upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, rectus abdominis, hip flexor muscles; and mobilization of first rib, cervical and thoracic spine, sacroiliac joints and thorax were applied as manual therapy program. Pain perceptions of upper arm and neck were assessed with visual analog scale. Measurements were performed before and immediately after of a 30-minute session of manual therapy. Pulmonary function testing was performed with a spirometer. Respiratory muscle strength (inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength, maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure, respectively) was measured. Respiratory muscle endurance was recorded using sustained threshold loading of 35% maximal inspiratory pressure. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in any pulmonary function parameters or maximal expiratory pressure following manual therapy intervention (p>0.05). However, maximal inspiratory pressure and respiratory muscle endurance improved (p<0.05). Pain perceptions of upper arm and neck reduced after treatment (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: A 30-minute single manual therapy session improved inspiratory muscle strength and respiratory muscle endurance but not pulmonary function and expiratory muscle strength in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome. Manual therapy may facilitate functional breathing and support use of primary respiratory muscles more effectively together with rapid pain reduction. The long-term effects of regular manual therapy on respiratory parameters should be investigated after surgical procedures.