Phrenic nerve decompression for the management of unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis - preoperative evaluation and operative technique

Diagnosis and treatment of phrenic nerve hourglass constriction in patients with Parsonage-Turner syndrome

Phrenic nerve injury can occur anywhere along its course and clinically results in diaphragm paralysis. Although most patients with Parsonage-Turner syndrome and phrenic nerve dysfunction improve without treatment, some patients do not recover spontaneously. In these cases, an initial autoimmune response produces scarring along the affected nerve(s). This scar, known as an hourglass constriction, causes focal compression of the nerve at the site of the scar, which prevents the nerve from spontaneously recovering. Thus, the authors present a unique case of phrenic nerve injury secondary to Parsonage-Turner syndrome that improved with internal neurolysis. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2022.10.FOCVID22105.

Is there a role in the central nervous system development for using corticosteroids to treat meningomyelocele and hydrocephalus?

INTRODUCTION

Myelomeningocele (MMC) is the most frequent neural tube defect and is frequently associated (around 80% of cases) with hydrocephalus (HC). Both diseases can have severe clinical consequences, insomuch as they require surgical treatment whose complications are not negligible, either when performed in utero or after birth. Therefore, clinical therapies that could have an impact on the incidence and progression of MMC and HC would be certainly valuable; however, this is not the current picture, and there are no effective pharmacological treatments for such patients to this day.

AIM AND METHODS

Therefore, knowing that an inflammatory process comes associated with these disorders, mostly due to nervous tissue distension, the present article aimed at reviewing the role of corticosteroids in reducing inflammation and thus improving the outcome of patients with HC and MMC, considering the well-established anti-inflammatory effects of CS.

RESULTS

The systematic review performed herein has found varying results regarding the role of steroids (even though a positive trend was observed) on the treatment and prevention of hydrocephalus, whereas for MMC.

CONCLUSION

There are many reports demonstrating beneficial effects of CS therapy, from a clinical and histopathological point of view.

Long-term Improvements of Neuroplasty and Scalene Muscle Resection in LTN-injured Winged Scapula Patients

Injuries to the long thoracic nerve, which directly branches off of the C6, C7, and C8 brachial plexus nerve roots, can cause scapular winging and affect shoulder movements. Long thoracic nerve injuries resulting from accidents, violence, or overuse can be severe lesions requiring challenging surgeries. We evaluated the long-term functional outcomes of neuroplasty and the scalene muscle resection procedures in patients with long thoracic nerve injury and winging scapula.

Methods

All 15 patients who underwent scalene muscle resection with decompression and neurolysis of the long thoracic nerve in a single institution to treat winged scapula and limited shoulder movements between March 2007 and May 2020 with follow-up over 2 years were included in the study.

Results

Shoulder abduction and arm flexion improved significantly to 158 ± 52 degrees and 165 ± 53 degrees from a mean of 108 ± 54 degrees and 104 ± 52 degrees (P < 0.02) over 2 years after surgery (mean 3.4 years). Overall, there was a significant reduction in the scapular winging, as assessed by estimating the decrease in the angle between the scapular plane and the posterior chest wall. The extent of the score greatly improved post-surgically from a mean of 1.2 ± 0.4 to 3.5 ± 0.9 (range 1-4; 1-severe, 2-moderate, 3-mild, and 4-minimal) (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The improvement in shoulder movements and reduced scapular winging was significant and stable over 2 years of surgery in 81% of our study patients.

Not all ventriculomegaly is created equal: diagnostic overview of fetal, neonatal and pediatric ventriculomegaly

Fetal ventriculomegaly refers to a condition in which there is enlargement of the ventricular spaces, typically on prenatal ultrasound. It can be associated with other CNS or extra-CNS abnormalities, and this relationship is crucial to understand as it affects overall neonatal outcome. Isolated ventriculomegaly has been described in the literature with variable clinical outcome. Typically, outcome is based on the etiology and degree of ventriculomegaly. When associated with a pathologic condition, ventriculomegaly can be a result of hydrocephalus. While initial diagnosis is usually made on prenatal ultrasound, fetal magnetic resonance imaging is preferred to further elucidate any associated CNS malformations. In this paper, the authors aim to provide a comprehensive review of the diagnosis, associated etiologies, prognosis, and treatment options related to fetal, neonatal, and pediatric ventriculomegaly and hydrocephalus. In addition, preliminary data is provided from our institutional cohort of patients with a prenatal diagnosis of ventriculomegaly followed through the perinatal period.

Recent Advances in Rational Diagnosis and Treatment of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: A Critical Appraisal on Novel Diagnostic, Therapy Monitoring and Treatment Modalities

BACKGROUND

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a critical brain disorder in which excess Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) is accumulated in the brain's ventricles causing damage or disruption of the brain tissues. Amongst various signs and symptoms, difficulty in walking, slurred speech, impaired decision making and critical thinking, and loss of bladder and bowl control are considered the hallmark features of NPH.

OBJECTIVE

The current review was aimed to present a comprehensive overview and critical appraisal of majorly employed neuroimaging techniques for rational diagnosis and effective monitoring of the effectiveness of the employed therapeutic intervention for NPH. Moreover, a critical overview of recent developments and utilization of pharmacological agents for the treatment of hydrocephalus has also been appraised.

RESULTS

Considering the complications associated with the shunt-based surgical operations, consistent monitoring of shunting via neuroimaging techniques hold greater clinical significance. Despite having extensive applicability of MRI and CT scan, these conventional neuroimaging techniques are associated with misdiagnosis or several health risks to patients. Recent advances in MRI (i.e., Sagittal-MRI, coronal-MRI, Time-SLIP (time-spatial-labeling-inversion-pulse), PC-MRI and diffusion-tensor-imaging (DTI)) have shown promising applicability in the diagnosis of NPH. Having associated with several adverse effects with surgical interventions, non-invasive approaches (pharmacological agents) have earned greater interest of scientists, medical professional, and healthcare providers. Amongst pharmacological agents, diuretics, isosorbide, osmotic agents, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, glucocorticoids, NSAIDs, digoxin, and gold-198 have been employed for the management of NPH and prevention of secondary sensory/intellectual complications.

CONCLUSION

Employment of rational diagnostic tool and therapeutic modalities avoids misleading diagnosis and sophisticated management of hydrocephalus by efficient reduction of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) production, reduction of fibrotic and inflammatory cascades secondary to meningitis and hemorrhage, and protection of brain from further deterioration.