Diabetic neuropathy increases stimulation threshold during popliteal sciatic nerve block

Regional nerve blocks for peripheral neuropathy: a rare clinical case report

Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication in patients with diabetes. However, the appropriateness of administering nerve block anesthesia to these patients remains uncertain. Key concerns include the potential for prolonged block duration, an increased risk of local anesthetic toxicity, and the possibility of further damaging already compromised peripheral nerves. We herein report a case involving a patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy who underwent finger amputation under ultrasound-guided nerve block anesthesia and subsequently lost pain and temperature sensation in both hands 1 month later. For critically ill patients undergoing surgery, regional anesthesia, such as a nerve block, may be a more suitable option than general anesthesia. When performing nerve block procedures in patients with diabetes, using ultrasound guidance is recommended to ensure precise targeting and reduce the risk of complications. However, it remains unclear whether nerve block anesthesia exacerbates peripheral neuropathy.

Diabetic Neuropathy and Minimum Effective Anesthetic Concentration of Mepivacaine for Axillary Brachial Plexus Block: A Prospective Observational Study

Nerves in patients with diabetic neuropathy (DN) show increased susceptibility to local anesthetics, potentially requiring a decreased dose. We investigated whether the minimum effective anesthetic concentration (MEAC) of mepivacaine for successful axillary block is lower in patients with DN than in those without. This prospective observational study included patients with DN (n = 22) and without diabetes (n = 22) at a tertiary care center. Patients received an ultrasound-guided axillary block with 30 mL of mepivacaine for anesthesia. The mepivacaine concentration used in each patient was calculated using Dixon's up-and-down method. A block was considered successful if all four sensory nerves had a score of 1 or 2 within 30 min with no pain during surgery. The primary outcome was the MEAC of mepivacaine, and the secondary outcomes included the minimal nerve stimulation intensity for the musculocutaneous nerve and the occurrence of adverse events. The MEAC50 was 0.55% (95% CI 0.33-0.77%) in patients without diabetes and 0.58% (95% CI 0.39-0.77%) in patients with DN (p = 0.837). The MEAC90 was 0.98% (95% CI 0.54-1.42%) in patients without diabetes and 0.96% (95% CI 0.57-1.35%) in patients with DN (p = 0.949). The stimulation threshold for the musculocutaneous nerve was significantly different between groups (0.49 mA vs. 0.19 mA for patients with vs. without diabetes; p = 0.002). In conclusion, the MEAC of mepivacaine for a successful axillary block is not lower in patients with DN.

"Knowing It Before Blocking It," the ABCD of the Peripheral Nerves: Part B (Nerve Injury Types, Mechanisms, and Pathogenesis)

Selander emphatically said, "Handle these nerves with care," and those words still echo, conveying a loud and clear message that, however rare, peripheral nerve injury (PNI) remains a perturbing possibility that cannot be ignored. The unprecedented nerve injuries associated with peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs) can be most tormenting for the unfortunate patient and a nightmare for the anesthetist. Possible justifications for the seemingly infrequent occurrences of PNB-related PNIs include a lack of documentation/reporting, improper aftercare, or associated legal implications. Although they make up only a small portion of medicolegal claims, they are sometimes difficult to defend. The most common allegations are attributed to insufficient informed consent; preventable damage to a nerve(s); delay in diagnosis, referral, or treatment; misdiagnosis, and inappropriate treatment and follow-up care. Also, sufficient prospective studies or randomized trials have not been conducted, as exploring such nerve injuries (PNB-related) in living patients or volunteers may be impractical or unethical. Understanding the pathophysiology of various types of nerve injury is vital to dealing with them further. Processes like degeneration, regeneration, remyelination, and reinnervation can influence the findings of electrophysiological studies. Events occurring in such a process and their impact during the assessment determine the prognosis and the need for further interventions. This educational review describes various types of PNB-related nerve injuries and their associated pathophysiology.

BMP5 ameliorates diabetic peripheral neuropathy by augmenting mitochondrial function and inhibiting apoptosis in Schwann cells

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common and serious complication of diabetes. Bone morphogenetic protein 5 (BMP5) is a multifunctional protein involved in the nervous system. Nevertheless, its effect on diabetic peripheral neuropathy remained uncharacterized. In this study, diabetic neuropathy in mice was induced by a single dose of 150 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) via intraperitoneal injection. Lentivirus expressing BMP5 (LV-BMP5) administration improved pain sensitivity, nerve conduction velocities and morphological alterations of the sciatic nerve of diabetic mice. Elevated BMP5 by LV-BMP5 suppressed cell apoptosis in the sciatic nerve, as evidenced by declined TUNEL-positive cells and down-regulated cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 levels. BMP5 enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP level. BMP5 also increased the phosphorylation of Smad1/5/9. Besides, the role of BMP5 in high glucose (HG)-stimulated Schwann cells was determined. Results of in vitro studies were in line with the in vivo findings. These experimental data seem to imply that BMP5 prevents the development of diabetic neuropathy via the maintenance of Smad1/5/9-mediated mitochondrial function.

Regional anaesthesia in patients with diabetes

Diabetes is the most common metabolic condition worldwide and about 20% of surgical patients will have this condition. It is a major risk-factor for worse outcomes after surgery including mortality; infective and non-infective complications; and increased length of stay. However, diabetes is a modifiable risk-factor, and programs to improve medical management have the potential to reduce peri-operative complications and the risk of harm. Regional anaesthesia has well-documented benefits in promoting the restoration of function but there are legitimate concerns that the incidence of complications of regional anaesthesia in patients with diabetes is higher. The aim of this review is to explore in detail the various potential advantages and disadvantages of regional anaesthesia in patients with diabetes. This, in turn, will allow practitioners to undertake more informed shared decision-making and potentially modify their anaesthetic technique for patients with diabetes.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Increases Electrical Stimulation Threshold of Sciatic Nerve: A Prospective Parallel Cohort Study

PURPOSE

To investigate the impact of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its severity on the threshold of sciatic nerve electrical stimulation in diabetic patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The case-control study included 60 patients that were divided into non-diabetic patients (control group, n = 26) and diabetic patients (diabetes group, n = 34). All the patients who were scheduled for lower leg, foot, and ankle surgery received a popliteal sciatic nerve block. We recorded the minimum current required to produce motor activity of the sciatic nerve during ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic nerve block.

RESULTS

Among the 60 patients, the sciatic nerve innervated muscle contractile response was successfully elicited in 57 patients (dorsiflexion of foot, plantar flexion, foot valgus or adduction, toe flexion, etc.) under electric stimulation. We failed to elicit the motor response in three patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy, even when the stimulation current was 3 mA. The average electrical stimulation threshold (1.0 ± 0.7 mA) in the diabetes group was significantly higher than that of the control group (0.4 ± 0.1 mA). Diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy had a higher electrical stimulation threshold (1.2 ± 0.7 mA) than patients without peripheral neuropathy (0.4 ± 0.1 mA). Furthermore, the electrical stimulation threshold of the sciatic nerve in diabetic patients had a linear dependence on the Toronto Clinical Scoring System (TCSS) peripheral neuropathy score (electrical stimulation threshold [in mA] = 0.125 TCSS score) (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The threshold of electrical stimulation to elicit a motor response of the sciatic nerve was increased in diabetic patients, and the threshold of electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve increased with the severity of diabetic nerve dysfunction.