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Xu L, Zhong W, Liu C, Zhao H, Xiong Y, Zhou S, Ma Y, Yang Y, Yu X. Timing of decompression in central cord syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2024; 33:3593-3601. [PMID: 38625584 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-024-08244-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study compared the recovery of motor function and the safety of early and delayed surgical intervention in patients with central cord syndrome (CCS). METHODS PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were employed to retrieve the targeted studies published from inception to February 19, 2023. Comparative studies of early versus delayed surgical decompression in CCS based on American Spinal Injury Association motor score (AMS) recovery, complication rates, and mortality were selected. The statistical analyses were performed using STATA 16.0 and RevMan 5.4. RESULTS Our meta-analysis included 13 studies comprising 8424 patients. Results revealed that early surgery improved AMS scores significantly compared with delayed surgery, with an increase in MDs by 7.22 points (95% CI 1.98-12.45; P = 0.007). Additionally, early surgery reduced the complication rates than delayed surgery (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.42-0.67, P < 0.00001). However, no significant difference was observed in mortality between the two groups (OR 0.97; 95% CI 0.75-1.26; P = 0.84). CONCLUSIONS Early surgical decompression for CCS can improve motor function and reduce the incidence of complications without affecting the mortality rate in patients. Future research should focus on investigating and analyzing the optimal window period for early CCS surgery. Additionally, the timing of surgery should be determined based on the patient's condition and available medical resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luchun Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenqing Zhong
- Department of Orthopedics, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - He Zhao
- Department of Orthopedics, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Xiong
- Department of Orthopedics, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shibo Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yukun Ma
- Department of Orthopedics, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongdong Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xing Yu
- Department of Orthopedics, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, 100700, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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Klein CS, Liu H, Xiong Y. Estimation of the number of motor units in the human extensor digitorum brevis using MScanFit. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302214. [PMID: 38669263 PMCID: PMC11051589 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our aim was to determine the number and size parameters of EDB motor units in healthy young adults using MScanFit, a novel approach to motor unit number estimation (MUNE). Since variability in MUNE is related to compound muscle action potential (CMAP) size, we employed a procedure to document the optimal EDB electromyographic (EMG) electrode position prior to recording MUNE, a neglected practice in MUNE. METHODS Subjects were 21 adults 21-44 y. Maximum CMAPs were recorded from 9 sites in a 4 cm2 region centered over the EDB and the site with the largest amplitude was used in the MUNE experiment. For MUNE, the peroneal nerve was stimulated at the fibular head to produce a detailed EDB stimulus-response curve or "MScan". Motor unit number and size parameters underlying the MScan were simulated using the MScanFit mathematical model. RESULTS In 19 persons, the optimal recording site was superior, superior and proximal, or superior and distal to the EDB mid-belly, whereas in 3 persons it was proximal to the mid-belly. Ranges of key MScanFit parameters were as follows: maximum CMAP amplitude (3.1-8.5 mV), mean SMUP amplitude (34.4-106.7 μV), mean normalized SMUP amplitude (%CMAP max, 0.95-2.3%), largest SMUP amplitude (82.7-348 μV), and MUNE (43-103). MUNE was not related to maximum CMAP amplitude (R2 = 0.09), but was related to mean SMUP amplitude (R2 = -0.19, P = 0.05). CONCLUSION The EDB CMAP was highly sensitive to electrode position, and the optimal position differed between subjects. Individual differences in EDB MUNE were not related to CMAP amplitude. Inter-subject variability of EDB MUNE (coefficient of variation) was much less than previously reported, possibly explained by better optimization of the EMG electrode and the unique approach of MScanFit MUNE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cliff S. Klein
- Guangdong Work Injury Rehabilitation Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Guangdong Work Injury Rehabilitation Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuan Xiong
- Guangdong Work Injury Rehabilitation Center, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Kumar AA, Wong JYH, Pillay R, Nolan CP, Ling JM. Treatment of acute traumatic central cord syndrome: a score-based approach based on the literature. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2023; 32:1575-1583. [PMID: 36912986 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-023-07626-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS) accounts for up to 70% of incomplete spinal cord injuries, and modern improvements in surgical and anaesthetic techniques have given surgeons more treatment options for the ATCCS patient. We present a literature review of ATCCS, with the aim of elucidating the best treatment option for the varying ATCCS patient characteristics and profiles. We aim to synthesise the available literature into a simple-to-use format to aid in the decision-making process. METHODS The MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were searched for relevant studies and improvement in functional outcomes were calculated. To allow for direct comparison of functional outcomes, we chose to focus solely on studies which utilised the ASIA motor score and improvements in ASIA motor score. RESULTS A total of 16 studies were included for review. There were a total of 749 patients, of which 564 were treated surgically and 185 were treated conservatively. There was a significantly higher average motor recovery percentage amongst surgically-treated patients as compared to conservatively treated patients (76.1% vs. 66.1%, p value = 0.04). There was no significant difference between the ASIA motor recovery percentage of patients treated with early surgery and delayed surgery (69.9 vs. 77.2, p value = 0.31). Delayed surgery after a trial of conservative management is also an appropriate treatment strategy for certain patients, and the presence of multiple comorbidities portend poor outcomes. We propose a score-based approach to decision making in ATCCS, by allocating a numerical score for the patient's clinical neurological condition, imaging findings on CT or MRI, history of cervical spondylosis and comorbidity profile. CONCLUSIONS An individualised approach to each ATCCS patient, considering their unique characteristics will lead to the best outcomes, and the use of a simple scoring system, can aid clinicians in choosing the best treatment for ATCCS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Aravin Kumar
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Joey Ying Hao Wong
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Robin Pillay
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Colum Patrick Nolan
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ji Min Ling
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore, Singapore
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Sun L, Feng H, Mei J, Wang Z, Deng C, Qin Z, Lv J. One-stage tracheostomy during surgery reduced early pulmonary infection and mechanical ventilation length in complete CSCI patients. Front Surg 2023; 9:1082428. [PMID: 37007628 PMCID: PMC10063815 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.1082428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
ObjectiveComplete cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) is a devastating injury that usually requires surgical treatment. Tracheostomy is an important supportive therapy for these patients. To evaluate the effectiveness of early one-stage tracheostomy during surgery compared with necessary tracheostomy after surgery, and to identify clinical factors for one-stage tracheostomy during surgery in complete cervical spinal cord injury.DesignData from 41 patients with complete CSCI treated with surgery were retrospectively analyzed.Participants and interventionsTen patients (24.4%) underwent one-stage tracheostomy during surgery, thirteen (31.7%) underwent tracheostomy when necessary after surgery, and eighteen (43.9%) did not have a tracheostomy.Main resultsOne-stage tracheostomy during surgery significantly reduced the development of pneumonia at 7 days after tracheostomy (p = 0.025), increased the PaO2 (p < 0.05), and decreased the length of mechanical ventilation (p = 0.005), length of stay (LOS) in the intensive care unit (ICU) (p = 0.002), hospital LOS (p = 0.01) and hospitalization expenses compared with necessary tracheostomy after surgery (p = 0.037). A high neurological level of injury (NLI) (NLI C5 and above), a high PaCO2 in the blood gas analysis before tracheostomy, severe breathing difficulty, and excessive pulmonary secretions were the statistically significant factors for one-stage tracheostomy during surgery in the complete CSCI patients, but no independent clinical factor was found.ConclusionsIn conclusion, one-stage tracheostomy during surgery reduced the number of early pulmonary infections and the length of mechanical ventilation, ICU LOS, hospital LOS and hospitalization expenses, and one-stage tracheostomy should be considered when managing complete CSCI patients by surgical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Sun
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Correspondence: Lin Sun
| | - Haoyu Feng
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Mei
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chen Deng
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhixin Qin
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Junqiao Lv
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Engel-Haber E, Botticello A, Snider B, Kirshblum S. Incomplete Spinal Cord Syndromes: Current Incidence and Quantifiable Criteria for Classification. J Neurotrauma 2022; 39:1687-1696. [PMID: 35708116 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2022.0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The demographics of acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) have changed over the last few decades, with a significant increase in age at the time of injury, a higher percentage of injuries caused by falls, and incomplete tetraplegia becoming the most common type of neurological impairment. Incomplete SCI syndromes, most specifically central cord syndrome (CCS), anterior cord syndrome (ACS) and Brown-Sequard syndrome (BSS), constitute a substantial proportion of incomplete tetraplegia and SCI overall. Nevertheless, the updated incidence of these syndromes is not well known, and their estimates vary considerably, largely because of methodological inconsistencies across previous studies. A retrospective analysis of individuals with new traumatic SCI enrolled in the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems database between January 2011 and May 2020 was performed. Using newly proposed computable definitions for ACS and BSS, as well as an existing quantitative definition of CCS, we determined the current incidence and neurological characteristics of each syndrome. Within the population of individuals with a traumatic SCI, including all levels and severity of injuries (N = 3639), CCS, ACS, and BSS accounted for 14%, 6.5%, and 2%, respectively. Of the 1649 individuals with incomplete tetraplegia in our cohort, CCS was the most common syndrome (30%), followed by ACS (10%) and BSS (3%). Using quantifiable definitions, these three syndromes now account for ∼22% and ∼44% of cases of traumatic SCI and incomplete tetraplegia, respectively, with CCS having increased over the last decade. This updated information and proposed calculable criteria for these syndromes allow for a greater understanding of the incidence and characteristics of these syndromes and enable greater study in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Einat Engel-Haber
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.,Kessler Foundation, West Orange, New Jersey, USA
| | - Amanda Botticello
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.,Kessler Foundation, West Orange, New Jersey, USA
| | - Brittany Snider
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.,Kessler Foundation, West Orange, New Jersey, USA.,Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, New Jersey, USA
| | - Steven Kirshblum
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA.,Kessler Foundation, West Orange, New Jersey, USA.,Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, New Jersey, USA
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The relationship between preoperative cervical sagittal balance and clinical outcome of acute traumatic central cord syndrome. World Neurosurg 2022; 162:e468-e474. [DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Hildebrandt G, Joswig H, Stienen MN, Bratelj D. Pros and Cons of Early and Very Early Surgery for Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome with Spinal Stenosis: Literature Review and Case Report. J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2021; 83:57-65. [PMID: 34781407 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1735858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The case of a 69-year-old patient with an acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS) with preexisting spinal stenosis raised a discussion over the question of conservative versus surgical treatment in the acute setting. We provide a literature overview on the management (conservative vs. surgical treatment) of ATCCS with preexisting spinal stenosis. METHODS We reviewed the literature concerning essential concepts for the management of ATCCS with spinal stenosis and cervical spinal cord injury. The data retrieved from these studies were applied to the potential management of an illustrative case report. RESULTS Not rarely has ATCCS an unpredictable neurologic course because of its dynamic character with secondary injury mechanisms within the cervical spinal cord in the early phase, the possibility of functional deterioration, and the appearance of a neuropathic pain syndrome during late follow-up. The result of the literature review favors early surgical treatment in ATCCS patients with preexisting cervical stenosis. CONCLUSION Reluctance toward aggressive and timely surgical treatment of ATCCS should at least be questioned in patients with preexisting spinal stenosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Hildebrandt
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Holger Joswig
- Division of Neurosurgery, HMU Health and Medical University Potsdam, Ernst von Bergmann Hospital, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany
| | | | - Denis Bratelj
- Department of Spine Surgery, Swiss Paraplegic Centre, Nottwil, LU, Switzerland
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Abstract
This article reviews the historical origins of central cord syndrome (CCS), the mechanism of injury, pathophysiology, and clinical implications. CCS is the most common form of incomplete spinal cord injury. CCS involves a spectrum of neurologic deficits preferentially affecting the hands and arms. Evidence suggests that in the twenty-first century CCS has become the most common form of spinal cord injury overall. In an era of big data and the need to standardize this particular diagnosis to unite outcome data, we propose redefining CCS as any adult cervical spinal cord injury in the absence of fracture/dislocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauricio J Avila
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arizona, Banner University Medical Center, PO Box 245070, 1501 North Campbell Avenue, Room 4303, Tucson, AZ 85724-5070, USA
| | - R John Hurlbert
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Arizona, Banner University Medical Center, PO Box 245070, 1501 North Campbell Avenue, Room 4303, Tucson, AZ 85724-5070, USA.
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Zheng C, Zhu D, Zhu Y, Lyu F, Weber R, Jin X, Jiang J. Early surgery improves peripheral motor axonal dysfunction in acute traumatic central cord syndrome: A prospective cohort study. Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 132:1398-1406. [PMID: 34038847 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2021.02.401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of early vs. delayed surgical decompression on peripheral motor axonal dysfunction following acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS). METHODS Both axonal excitability testing and motor unit number estimation (MUNE) were performed in 30 ATCCS patients (early- vs. delayed-surgical treatment: 12 vs. 18) before operation and 28 healthy subjects. Axonal excitability testing was repeated 3-5 days and 1-year after operation, and MUNE was re-evaluated 1-year after operation. RESULTS Preoperatively, an obvious modification in membrane potentials was observed in ATCCS patients that mostly coincided with depolarization-like features, and MUNE further revealed reduced motor units in tested muscles (P < 0.05). Unlike delayed-surgical cases, early-surgical cases showed recoveries of most measurements of axonal excitabilities soon after operation (P < 0.05). Postoperative one-year follow-up demonstrated that greater motor unit numbers in tested muscles were obtained in early-surgical cases than in delayed-surgical cases (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS ATCCS has adverse downstream effects on peripheral nervous system, even in the early stage of ATCCS. Early surgical treatment can ameliorate both excitability abnormalities and motor unit loss in distal motor axons. SIGNIFICANCE Optimizing axonal excitability in the early phases of ATCCS may alleviate peripheral nerve injury secondary to lesions of upper motor neuron and improve clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojun Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Dongqing Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Yu Zhu
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Upstate Medical University, State University of New York at Syracuse, Syracuse, NY 10212, USA
| | - Feizhou Lyu
- Department of Orthopedics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Orthopedics, The Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Robert Weber
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Upstate Medical University, State University of New York at Syracuse, Syracuse, NY 10212, USA
| | - Xiang Jin
- Department of Orthopedics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jianyuan Jiang
- Department of Orthopedics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
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Preoperative electrophysiologic assessment of C5-innervated muscles in predicting C5 palsy after posterior cervical decompression. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2021; 30:1681-1688. [PMID: 33555367 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-021-06757-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the feasibility of both needle electromyography (EMG) and proximal nerve conduction studies (NCS) in predicting C5 palsy after posterior cervical decompression. METHODS This study included 192 patients with cervical myelopathy undergoing laminoplasty or laminectomy. Preoperatively, all patients accepted bilateral needle EMG detection and proximal NCS that consisted of supramaximally stimulating Erb's point and recording compound muscle action potential (CMAP) from bilateral deltoid. RESULTS In the present study, 11 (11/192, 5.7%) patients developed unilateral C5 palsy after operation, and more patients with C5 palsy showed abnormal spontaneous activity in C5-innervated muscles compared to those without C5 palsy (8/11 vs. 16/181, p < 0.05). The sensitivity and specificity of spontaneous activity in C5-innervated muscles in predicting postoperative C5 palsy were 72.7% and 91.2%, respectively. Furthermore, there were significant left-to-right differences of deltoid CMAP amplitudes between the patients with and without C5 palsy (p < 0.05), and this measurement was also demonstrated to be useful for distinguishing patients with C5 palsy from cases without C5 palsy by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (cut-off value: 2.1 mV, sensitivity: 63.6%; specificity: 95.0%). In addition, the sensitivity and specificity of a series application of these two measurements were 63.6% and 100.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study support the hypothesis that pre-existing progressive C5 root injury may be a risk factor for C5 palsy after posterior cervical decompression. Clinically, the estimation of NCS and needle EMG in C5-innervated muscles may provide additional useful information for predicting C5 palsy after cervical spinal surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE I Diagnostic: individual cross-sectional studies with the consistently applied reference standard and blinding.
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Li J, Zhu Y, Li Y, He S, Wang D. Motor unit number index detects the effectiveness of surgical treatment in improving distal motor neuron loss in patients with incomplete cervical spinal cord injury. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2020; 21:549. [PMID: 32799830 PMCID: PMC7429685 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-020-03567-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recovery of motor dysfunction is important for patients with incomplete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). To enhance the recovery of muscle strength, both research and treatments mainly focus on injury of upper motor neurons at the direct injury site. However, accumulating evidences have suggested that SCI has a downstream effect on the peripheral nervous system, which may contribute to the poor improvement of the muscle strength after operation. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of early vs. delayed surgical intervention on the lower motor neurons (LMNs) distal to the injury site in patients with incomplete cervical SCI. METHODS Motor unit number index (MUNIX) was performed on the tibialis anterior (TA), extensor digitorum brevis (EDB) and abductor hallucis (AH) in 47 patients with incomplete cervical SCI (early vs. delayed surgical-treatment: 17 vs. 30) and 34 healthy subjects approximately 12 months after operation. All patients were further assessed by American spinal injury association (ASIA) motor scales and Medical Research Council (MRC) scales. RESULTS There are no difference of both ASIA motor scores and MRC scales between the patients who accepted early and delayed surgical treatment (P > 0.05). In contrast, the patients undergoing early surgical treatment showed lower MUSIX values in both bilateral EDB and bilateral TA, along with greater MUNIX values in both right-side EDB and right-side TA, compared to the patients who accepted delayed surgical treatment (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Cervical SCI has a negative effect on the LMNs distal to the injury site. Early surgical intervention in Cervical SCI patients may improve the dysfunction of LMNs distal to the injury site, reducing secondary motor neuron loss, and eventually improving clinical prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Li
- Department of Orthopedics, College of Clinical Medicine, Shanghai Ten Hospitals of Nanjing Medical University, 301 Yanchang Middle Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, 200072, China.,Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai, 201600, China
| | - Yancheng Zhu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210011, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai, 201600, China
| | - Shisheng He
- Department of Orthopedics, College of Clinical Medicine, Shanghai Ten Hospitals of Nanjing Medical University, 301 Yanchang Middle Road, Jing'an District, Shanghai, 200072, China.
| | - Deguo Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai Songjiang District Central Hospital, Shanghai, 201600, China.
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