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Lladós G, Massanella M, Coll-Fernández R, Rodríguez R, Hernández E, Lucente G, López C, Loste C, Santos JR, España-Cueto S, Nevot M, Muñoz-López F, Silva-Arrieta S, Brander C, Durà MJ, Cuadras P, Bechini J, Tenesa M, Martinez-Piñeiro A, Herrero C, Chamorro A, Garcia A, Grau E, Clotet B, Paredes R, Mateu L. Vagus nerve dysfunction in the post-COVID-19 condition: a pilot cross-sectional study. Clin Microbiol Infect 2024; 30:515-521. [PMID: 37984511 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2023.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The post-COVID-19 condition (PCC) is a disabling syndrome affecting at least 5%-10% of subjects who survive COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 mediated vagus nerve dysfunction could explain some PCC symptoms, such as dysphonia, dysphagia, dyspnea, dizziness, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, gastrointestinal disturbances, or neurocognitive complaints. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional pilot study in subjects with PCC with symptoms suggesting vagus nerve dysfunction (n = 30) and compared them with subjects fully recovered from acute COVID-19 (n = 14) and with individuals never infected (n = 16). We evaluated the structure and function of the vagus nerve and respiratory muscles. RESULTS Participants were mostly women (24 of 30, 80%), and the median age was 44 years (interquartile range [IQR] 35-51 years). Their most prevalent symptoms were cognitive dysfunction 25 of 30 (83%), dyspnea 24 of 30 (80%), and tachycardia 24 of 30 (80%). Compared with COVID-19-recovered and uninfected controls, respectively, subjects with PCC were more likely to show thickening and hyperechogenic vagus nerve in neck ultrasounds (cross-sectional area [CSA] [mean ± standard deviation]: 2.4 ± 0.97mm2 vs. 2 ± 0.52mm2 vs. 1.9 ± 0.73 mm2; p 0.08), reduced esophageal-gastric-intestinal peristalsis (34% vs. 0% vs. 21%; p 0.02), gastroesophageal reflux (34% vs. 19% vs. 7%; p 0.13), and hiatal hernia (25% vs. 0% vs. 7%; p 0.05). Subjects with PCC showed flattening hemidiaphragms (47% vs. 6% vs. 14%; p 0.007), and reductions in maximum inspiratory pressure (62% vs. 6% vs. 17%; p ≤ 0.001), indicating respiratory muscle weakness. The latter findings suggest additional involvement of the phrenic nerve. DISCUSSION Vagus and phrenic nerve dysfunction contribute to the complex and multifactorial pathophysiology of PCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma Lladós
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Germans Trias Long-COVID Unit, Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain; Red Española de la Investigación en COVID Persistente (REiCOP), Madrid, Spain; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Marta Massanella
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas, CIBERINFEC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roser Coll-Fernández
- Red Española de la Investigación en COVID Persistente (REiCOP), Madrid, Spain; Department of Rehabilitation, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Raúl Rodríguez
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Electra Hernández
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Giuseppe Lucente
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Cristina López
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Germans Trias Long-COVID Unit, Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain; Red Española de la Investigación en COVID Persistente (REiCOP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cora Loste
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Germans Trias Long-COVID Unit, Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain; Red Española de la Investigación en COVID Persistente (REiCOP), Madrid, Spain; University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Catalonia, Spain
| | - José Ramón Santos
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Germans Trias Long-COVID Unit, Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain; Red Española de la Investigación en COVID Persistente (REiCOP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio España-Cueto
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Germans Trias Long-COVID Unit, Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Maria Nevot
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Francisco Muñoz-López
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Sandra Silva-Arrieta
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Christian Brander
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain; IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Maria José Durà
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Rehabilitation, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Patricia Cuadras
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Jordi Bechini
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain; Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Montserrat Tenesa
- Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Alicia Martinez-Piñeiro
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Cristina Herrero
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Germans Trias Long-COVID Unit, Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Anna Chamorro
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Germans Trias Long-COVID Unit, Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Anna Garcia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Germans Trias Long-COVID Unit, Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain
| | - Eulalia Grau
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain; University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Bonaventura Clotet
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Germans Trias Long-COVID Unit, Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain; IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain; University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Roger Paredes
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Germans Trias Long-COVID Unit, Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain; IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas, CIBERINFEC, Madrid, Spain; University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Catalonia, Spain; Center for Global Health and Diseases, Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lourdes Mateu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Germans Trias Long-COVID Unit, Fundació Lluita contra les Infeccions, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Campus Can Ruti, Badalona, Spain; Red Española de la Investigación en COVID Persistente (REiCOP), Madrid, Spain; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Bellaterra, Spain; University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Catalonia, Spain.
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Drakonaki E, Konschake M, Chlouverakis G, Tsiaoussis J. Ultrasound morphometry of the cervical vagus nerve for daily clinical practice: Reference values for cross sectional area and fascicle count. Ann Anat 2023; 250:152137. [PMID: 37506777 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2023.152137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION High resolution ultrasound (US) of the cervical vagus nerve (CVN) is clinically relevant in the diagnostic workup and during neurostimulation therapy of several neurologic diseases. This prospective study aims to provide reference data of the cross-sectional area (CSA) and fascicle count of the normal CVN and to investigate their possible association with anthropometric data in a large cohort of patients. METHODS A total of 657 CVNs in 330 individuals without history of neurological disease were examined using US (7-15Mhz). The CVN fascicle count and CSA inside the hyperechoic epineurium at the level of the thyroid lobes were measured. Three CSA measurements were performed to calculate the mean value. Anthropometric data were recorded. RESULTS The mean fascicle count was 2.4 ± 1.1 (right) and 2 ± 1 (left) (paired t- test, p < 0.001). Two CVN patterns were identified: A single hypoechoic fascicular structure (26.2 % right, 36.3 % left) and a honeycomb structure of 2-6 discrete fascicles (72.3 % right, 63.7 % left). Right CVN mean CSA was larger compared to left (2.3 ± 1 mm2 and 1.8 ± 0.8 mm2 respectively, t-test, p-0.000). There was no difference in the CSA values between sex and no correlation to age or height. A positive correlation between the CSA and weight and BMI was found (Pearson's correlation, p = 0.01 right and p = 0.05 left). CONCLUSION The right CVN has larger CSA and contains more fascicles than the left. CVN is usually mono- or oligo-fascicular with a honeycomb appearance. The CSA increased with increasing BMI but no age and sex specific differences were noted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Drakonaki
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete Greece; Diagnostic and Interventional Ultrasound Practice, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | - Marko Konschake
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Institute of Clinical and Functional Anatomy, Medical University Innsbruck (MUI), Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Gregory Chlouverakis
- Biostatistics Laboratory, Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
| | - John Tsiaoussis
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Crete Greece
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Schreiber LS, Wozniak D, Scheller E, Böttcher E, Pelz JO, Schmidt FM. Enlarged cross-sectional area of the left vagus nerve in patients with major depressive disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1237983. [PMID: 37583842 PMCID: PMC10423806 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1237983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Autonomic dysfunction and a chronic low-grade inflammation are supposed to play a role in the etiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). The vagus nerves (VN) form a major part of the parasympathetic nervous system and of the gut-brain axis. They are supposed to exert anti-inflammatory and epithelial barrier protective effects in the gut. A reduced vagal activity was described in patients with MDD. We aimed to examine the VN in patients with MDD with high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) and hypothesized that the cross-sectional area (CSA) and the echogenicity of the VNs were altered in comparison to healthy controls. Materials and methods The echogenicity (gray scale mean) and the CSA of the cervical VNs at the level of the thyroid gland and both median nerves were examined with HRUS in 50 patients with MDD and 50 matched healthy controls. Results The left VN-CSA was significantly larger in the MDD group compared to the control group (1.7 ± 0.4 mm2 versus 1.5 ± 0.4 mm2; p = 0.045). The CSA of the right VN and both median nerves (MN) were similar between groups. In MDD subgroup analyses, recurrent depressive disorders were the main contributing factor for the left VN-CSA enlargement. Echogenicity was not altered in the VN and MN between groups. Conclusion The enlargement of the left VN-CSA in patients with MDD, and especially in these patients with recurrent depressive disorders, might turn out as a promising imaging biomarker. Longitudinal studies are warranted to examine whether the VNs-CSA change in the course of MDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Sofie Schreiber
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - David Wozniak
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Erik Scheller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Elise Böttcher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Johann Otto Pelz
- Department of Neurology, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Frank M. Schmidt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
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Bedewi MA, Kotb MA, Almalki DM, AlAseeri AA, Sandougah KJ, Abdelnaby R, Soliman SB, Alhariqi BA, Alfaifi T, Aldossary NM. Ultrasound of the normal vagus nerve cross-sectional area in the carotid sheath. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e33996. [PMID: 37335655 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000033996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this article is to utilize ultrasound to evaluate the normal cross-sectional area (CSA)of the vagus nerve (VN) in the carotid sheath. This study included 86 VNs in 43 healthy subjects (15 men, 28 women); mean age 42.1 years and mean body mass index 26.2 kg/m2. For each subject, the bilateral VNs were identified by US at the anterolateral neck within the common carotid sheaths. One radiologist obtained 3 separate CSA measurements for each of the bilateral VNs with complete transducer removal between each measurement. Additionally, for each participant, demographic information of age and gender as well as body mass index, weight, and height were documented. The mean CSA of the right VN in the carotid sheath was 2.1 and 1.9 mm2 for the left VN. The right VN CSA was significantly larger than the left VN (P < .012). No statistically significant correlation was noted in relation to height, weight, and age. We believe that the reference values for the normal CSA of the VN obtained in our study, could help in the sonographic evaluation of VN enlargement, as it relates to the diagnosis of various diseases affecting the VN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Abdelmohsen Bedewi
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mamdouh Ali Kotb
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, Minia, Egypt
| | - Daifallah Mohammed Almalki
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Abdullah AlAseeri
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kholoud J Sandougah
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Al Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud Islamic University
| | - Ramy Abdelnaby
- Department of Neurology, RWTH University hospital of Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Steven B Soliman
- Division of Musculoskeletal Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Bader A Alhariqi
- Department of Pediatric radiology Medical Imaging Administration, King Fahad Medical city, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Tariq Alfaifi
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nasser M Aldossary
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia
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Heiling B, Karl A, Fedtke N, Müller N, Kloos C, Grimm A, Axer H. Evaluating Diagnostic Ultrasound of the Vagus Nerve as a Surrogate Marker for Autonomic Neuropathy in Diabetic Patients. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59030525. [PMID: 36984526 PMCID: PMC10058247 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59030525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Diagnostic ultrasound of the vagus nerve has been used to examine different polyneuropathies, and it has been suggested to be useful as a marker of autonomic dysfunction in diabetic patients. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the right vagus nerve of 111 patients with type 2 diabetes in comparison to 104 healthy adults and 41 patients with CIDP (chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy). In the diabetes group, sympathetic skin response (SSR) was measured as an indicator for autonomic neuropathy. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) was measured as a surrogate for atherosclerosis. Clinical symptoms of polyneuropathy were assessed using the Neuropathy Symptom Score and the Neuropathy Disability Score. Results: In total, 61.3% of the diabetes patients had clinical signs of polyneuropathy; 23.4% had no SSR at the feet as an indicator of autonomic neuropathy. Mean vagus nerve CSA did not differ in patients with and without diabetic polyneuropathy or in diabetic patients with and without SSR at the feet. No significant correlation was found between vagus nerve CSA and CIMT or SSR parameters in diabetic patients. Mean CSA of the right vagus nerve was slightly larger in diabetic patients (p = 0.028) and in patients with CIDP (p = 0.015) than in healthy controls. Conclusions: Effect sizes and mean differences were rather small so that a reliable diagnosis cannot be performed based on the vagus nerve measurement of a single person alone. Vagus nerve CSA seems not suitable as an indicator of autonomic dysfunction or cardiovascular risk in diabetic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianka Heiling
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, 07747 Jena, Germany
- Clinician Scientist Program OrganAge, Jena University Hospital, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Adriana Karl
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Nadin Fedtke
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Nicolle Müller
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Christof Kloos
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Alexander Grimm
- Department of Neurology, Tübingen University Hospital, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Hubertus Axer
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, 07747 Jena, Germany
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Huckemann S, Mueller K, Averdunk P, Kühn E, Hilker L, Kools S, Scholz L, Bulut Y, Brünger J, Fiegert S, Grüter T, Fisse AL, Motte J, Yoon MS, Gold R, Schneider-Gold C, Tönges L, Pitarokoili K. Vagal cross-sectional area correlates with parasympathetic dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad006. [PMID: 36726777 PMCID: PMC9883711 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this prospective study was to investigate autonomic function in Parkinson's disease with a multidimensional approach including clinical evaluation tools, head-up tilt test and morphological studies of the vagus nerve. Head-up tilt test parameters including high frequency power of the heart frequency interval, the ratio of low frequency power of the distance between two consecutive R waves in electrocardiogram (RR interval) to the high frequency and low frequency power of systolic blood pressure were used to evaluate parasympathetic, cardiac sympathetic and vasomotor sympathetic functions, respectively, in 80 patients with Parkinson's disease. We examined the cross-sectional area of the vagus nerves bilaterally using nerve ultrasound and compared mean values with a control group of healthy subjects (n = 40) as well as patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (n = 76). The cross-sectional area of right/left vagus nerve of Parkinson's patients was significantly lower compared to the right/left vagus nerve of the control group and of chronic demyelinating polyneuropathy patients. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of the right vagus nerve was significantly larger from the one of the left vagus nerve for all groups. Based on tilt test, 43 patients (disease duration 7 ± 5, age at evaluation 71 ± 9, Hoehn and Yahr score 2.8 ± 8) were diagnosed with autonomic dysfunction (orthostatic hypertension n = 11, chronotropic incompetence n = 31, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome n = 1). Patients with orthostatic hypotension showed significantly higher Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III values than those with chronotropic incompetence. The cross-sectional area of the vagus nerve correlated inversely with heart rate in rest and supine position and positively with tilt test parameters representing parasympathetic modulation through vagal activity [high frequency power of the distance between two consecutive R waves in electrocardiogram (RR interval)] at rest. We demonstrate for the first time that morphological characteristics of the vagus nerve correlate with parameters of parasympathetic function from the spectral analysis of cardiovascular parameters in tilt test for Parkinson's patients. This correlation reveals the impact of the atrophy of vagal atrophy for autonomic function in Parkinson's disease. Nerve ultrasound of the vagus nerve could potentially be used as an adjunct to tilt table examination to diagnose autonomic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Huckemann
- Correspondence may also be addressed to: Sophie Huckemann E-mail:
| | - Katharina Mueller
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Paulina Averdunk
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Eva Kühn
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Lovis Hilker
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Saskia Kools
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Leonard Scholz
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Yesim Bulut
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jil Brünger
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sean Fiegert
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas Grüter
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Anna Lena Fisse
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jeremias Motte
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Min-Suk Yoon
- Department of Neurology, Augusta Clinic, Hattingen, Germany
| | - Ralf Gold
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Lars Tönges
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany,Neurodegeneration Research, Centre for Protein Diagnostics (ProDi), Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany
| | - Kalliopi Pitarokoili
- Correspondence to: Kalliopi Pitarokoili, MD, MSc Department of Neurology, Ruhr University St. Josef-Hospital, Gudrunstr. 56, 44791 Bochum, Germany E-mail:
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Oura K, Akasaka H, Ishizuka N, Sato Y, Kudo M, Yamaguchi T, Oura MY, Itabashi R, Maeda T. Ultrasound evaluation of vagus nerve cross-sectional area in a community-dwelling elderly Japanese cohort. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280661. [PMID: 37200343 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although the vagus nerve (VN) is easily observed by ultrasonography, few studies have evaluated the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the VN in healthy older individuals from East Asia. In this study, we aimed to report reference values for the CSA of the VN in community-dwelling elderly Japanese individuals and to identify any associated medical history and/or lifestyle factors. METHODS The present study included 336 participants aged ≥ 70 years from a prospective cohort study conducted in Yahaba, Japan from October 2021 to February 2022. The CSA of the VN was measured bilaterally at the level of the thyroid gland by ultrasonography. Simple linear regression analysis and generalized estimating equation were conducted to identify the associations between clinical and background factors and the CSA of the VN. RESULTS In our cohort, the median CSA of the VN was 1.3 mm2 (interquartile range [IQR] 1.1-1.6) on the right side and 1.2 mm2 (IQR 1.0-1.4) on the left side. Generalized estimating equation showed that history of head injury (β = 0.19, p < .01), current smoking habit (β = -0.09, p = .03), and BMI (β = 0.02, p < .01) were independently associated with the CSA of the VN. CONCLUSION We have reported reference VN CSA values for community-dwelling elderly Japanese individuals. In addition, we showed that the CSA of the VN was positively associated with a history of head injury and BMI and inversely associated with current smoking habit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumasa Oura
- Division of Neurology and Gerontology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-Gun, Yahaba-Cho, Iwate, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Akasaka
- Division of Neurology and Gerontology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-Gun, Yahaba-Cho, Iwate, Japan
| | - Naoki Ishizuka
- Division of Neurology and Gerontology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-Gun, Yahaba-Cho, Iwate, Japan
| | - Yuriko Sato
- Division of Neurology and Gerontology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-Gun, Yahaba-Cho, Iwate, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kudo
- Division of Neurology and Gerontology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-Gun, Yahaba-Cho, Iwate, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamaguchi
- Division of Neurology and Gerontology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-Gun, Yahaba-Cho, Iwate, Japan
| | - Mao Yamaguchi Oura
- Division of Neurology and Gerontology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-Gun, Yahaba-Cho, Iwate, Japan
| | - Ryo Itabashi
- Division of Neurology and Gerontology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-Gun, Yahaba-Cho, Iwate, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Maeda
- Division of Neurology and Gerontology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Shiwa-Gun, Yahaba-Cho, Iwate, Japan
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Abdelnaby R, Elgenidy A, Sonbol YT, Dardeer KT, Ebrahim MA, Maallem I, Youssef MW, Moawad MHED, Hassan YG, Rabie SA, Mohammed MK, Abdelrhem HAH, Mohamed KA, Walter U. Nerve Sonography in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 6061 Measured Nerves. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2022; 48:1397-1409. [PMID: 35667977 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2022.04.220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Because of the insidious character and variations in presenting symptoms, Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is challenging to diagnose in children. Diagnosis is based on clinical and nerve conduction studies, as well as genetic examination. Therefore, competent nerve imaging techniques and non-invasive alternatives to nerve conduction studies are a necessity, especially in children. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the current evidence and effectiveness of ultrasound in investigating nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) in those with CMT compared with healthy controls and to pool the CSA measurements. We included studies published in international peer-reviewed journals that measured nerve CSA by ultrasound in patients with CMT. We implemented double-arm meta-analyses to compare the mean CSA of nerves between patients with CMT and healthy controls by calculating the pooled mean difference in CSA. Moreover, we performed subgroup analyses by stratifying the studies according to the site of CSA measurement and examined the difference in nerve CSA between CMT1A and other CMT types. The included studies provide measurements of 12 nerve roots and nerves (vagus, C3, C4, C5, C6, greater auricular, phrenic, median, ulnar, fibular, tibial and sural nerves) in 628 patients with CMT and 586 healthy controls with a total of 6061 measured nerves. Meta-analyses of sonographic nerve CSA are provided to express nerve ultrasonography in the diagnosis of CMT patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramy Abdelnaby
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | - Imene Maallem
- Faculty of Medicine, University Badji Mokhtar Annaba, Annaba, Algeria
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Uwe Walter
- Department of Neurology, Rostock University, Rostock, Germany
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9
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Abdelnaby R, Elsayed M, Mohamed KA, Dardeer KT, Sonbol YT, ELgenidy A, Barakat MH, NasrEldin YK, Maier A. Sonographic Reference Values of Vagus Nerve: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Clin Neurophysiol 2022; 39:59-71. [PMID: 34144573 DOI: 10.1097/wnp.0000000000000856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To establish the first comprehensive and standardized set of vagus nerve (VN) sonographic reference values across all the published studies that can be used to standardize and guide clinical practice and research. METHODS This systematic review includes all possible available data from a total of 27 studies and 21 of them were included in the meta-analysis having a total of 864 participants. RESULTS The overall mean cross-sectional area ranged from 2.29 to 2.76 mm2 for the right VN and from 1.83 to 2.23 mm2 for the left VN with 95% confidence interval. Sonographic reference values of VN at common carotid artery bifurcation, thyroid gland, and cartilage as well as other anatomic landmarks were provided. CONCLUSIONS The mean cross-sectional area of the right VN of 2.53 mm2 and the left one of 2.03 mm2 can be considered as sonographic reference values in healthy adults. This review provides these reference values to be considered in the further sonographic evaluation of VNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramy Abdelnaby
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mohamed Elsayed
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy III, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Anas ELgenidy
- Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt ; and
| | | | - Yasmin K NasrEldin
- Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, El-Minia University, EL-Menia, Egypt
| | - Andrea Maier
- Department of Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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10
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Bidault S, Girard E, Attard M, Garcia G, Guerlain J, Breuskin I, Baudin E, Hadoux J, Garcia C, Lamartina L, Hartl DM. Preoperative ultrasound mapping of the vagus nerve in thyroid surgery. Gland Surg 2022; 11:91-99. [PMID: 35242672 PMCID: PMC8825509 DOI: 10.21037/gs-21-580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) in thyroid surgery requires electric stimulation of the vagus nerve to verify correct electrode placement. Classically the nerve is found deep to or in-between the common carotid artery and internal jugular vein, but previous studies have shown that the nerve can sometimes be found superficial to the vessels. Our aim was to determine the incidence of a superficial vagus nerve using ultrasound (US) and study possible clinical factors associated with an anteriorly-located vagus nerve. METHODS Retrospective study of patients undergoing thyroid surgery (lobectomy or total thyroidectomy) with intermittent IONM. Substernal goiters, locally invasive tumors or bulky lymph nodes were excluded. The vagus nerve was identified at the level of the mid-thyroid lobe on each side on preoperative US performed by two specialized radiologists, and its location according to 6 possible positions in relationship to the common carotid artery was recorded. The anatomic variability of the vagus nerve was analyzed in relationship to patient demographics and thyroid pathology. RESULTS Five-hundred twenty-seven patients were included. The right vagus nerve (n=522) was in-between, superficial or deep to the vessels in 92.3%, 6.1% and 1.5% and of cases, respectively, and the left vagus (n=517) in 80.2%, 18.6% and 1.2% of cases, respectively, with a statistically significant difference between right and left vagus nerves (P<0.001). The type of pathology, size of the dominant nodule or the volume of the thyroid lobe were not correlated to finding a superficial vagus nerve. CONCLUSIONS The vagus nerve was identified in all cases on US and found to be anterior to common carotid artery at the level of the thyroid lobe in 18.6% of cases on the left and 6.1% of cases on the right. Identifying this anatomic variant preoperatively may facilitate IONM and avoid inadvertent trauma to the vagus nerve during thyroid surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Bidault
- Department of Radiology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus and University Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Elizabeth Girard
- Department of Radiology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus and University Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Marie Attard
- Department of Radiology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus and University Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Gabriel Garcia
- Department of Radiology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus and University Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Joanne Guerlain
- Department of Surgery, Anesthesia and Interventional Medicine, Thyroid Surgery Unit, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Ingrid Breuskin
- Department of Surgery, Anesthesia and Interventional Medicine, Thyroid Surgery Unit, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Eric Baudin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus and University Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Julien Hadoux
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus and University Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Camilo Garcia
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus and University Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Livia Lamartina
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology, Gustave Roussy Cancer Campus and University Paris-Saclay, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
| | - Dana M. Hartl
- Department of Surgery, Anesthesia and Interventional Medicine, Thyroid Surgery Unit, Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
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11
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Du K, Xu K, Chu X, Tang Y, Lv H, Zhang W, Wang Z, Yuan Y, Meng L. Vagus nerve ultrasound in transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy: A pilot study. J Neuroimaging 2021; 32:285-291. [PMID: 34964197 PMCID: PMC9306858 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Autonomic dysfunction is common in transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP). Because ultrasonography is a powerful tool to study peripheral neuropathy, vagus nerve (VN) ultrasonography was used in our study to investigate the possible changes of the dimension of VN in TTR-FAP. METHODS Eighteen patients with TTR-FAP and 17 age- and gender-matched individuals without any neuropathies were enrolled in a pilot study. The cross-sectional areas (CSAs) were measured bilaterally on transverse scans of vagus, median, and ulnar nerves. Clinical data were collected to explore the correlations with CSAs of VN. RESULTS The median CSAs of VN in TTR-FAP were 3.5 (2.0-6.0) mm2 on the right side and 2.5 (1.0-6.0) mm2 on the left side, compared with 2.0 (1.0-3.0) mm2 and 1.0 (1.0-2.0) mm2 for healthy controls (HCs). There was a significant difference between the two groups on both sides (p < .001). The mean VN CSAs were correlated positively with the course of disease (r = .7203, p = .0016)(not including the patient with the longest disease course), the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31 (r = .5252, p = .0252), the left ventricular posterior wall thickness (r = .5426, p = .0200), and the interventricular septum thickness (r = .5103, p = .0305). The cutoff values of right and left VN CSAs to identify TTR-FAP from HCs were 2.5 and 1.5 mm2 and the areas under the curve were .9395 and .8856, with a high sensitivity (.889 and .889) and specificity (.941 and .765), respectively. CONCLUSION VN enlargement is prevalent among TTR-FAP patients. VN ultrasonography may be an important clinical tool for assessing the severity of autonomic dysfunction in TTR-FAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Du
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xujun Chu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuwei Tang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - He Lv
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoxia Wang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lingchao Meng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
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