Versatility of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation in the Treatment of Poststroke Dysphagia

Various techniques and courses of treatment have been researched, proposed, and implemented to evaluate and treat poststroke dysphagia (PSD) which is one of the main medical conditions affecting not only elderly people, as previously assumed, but also in recent years younger populations as well. The effectiveness of therapeutic methods depends mainly on the expertise of an interdisciplinary team of therapists, as well as on the timely application of the treatment. The present review discusses the therapeutic benefits of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in patients suffering from PSD regardless of the location of the lesion. The use of rTMS directly manipulates cortical brain stimulation to restore neuroplasticity in the affected brain areas. This review presents a synopsis of the available literature on the patient along with a discussion on the effectiveness of rTMS as a safe and easy to use promising technique in the rehabilitation of dysphagic patients. Although the results from the studies so far have been largely positive in that direction, the question still remains whether larger scale and longitudinal studies will be able to corroborate the aspiring future of rTMS. Therefore, research questions to advance further investigation on the application and future of this technique are much in need.

Cervical isometric exercises improve dysphagia and cervical spine malalignment following stroke with hemiparesis: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Hemiparesis following stroke can cause cervical spine scoliosis, kyphosis or hyperlordosis. These abnormal cervical alignments can contribute to dysphagia. The benefit of cervical isometric exercises to improve swallowing has not been previously studied.

AIM

To evaluate the use of cervical isometric exercises in dysphagic adult patients with cervical spine alignment disorders due to hemiparesis after stroke.

DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

University Hospital, PMR Department.

POPULATION

Dysphagic adult patients with hemiparesis after stroke in the rehabilitation phase.

METHODS

In addition to the standard physical and speech therapy therapeutic approach for 12 weeks, cervical isometric exercises were conducted by a group of patients (experimental group). Patients had cervical spine radiographs in erect (sitting or standing) position coronal and sagittal C2-C7 Cobb angle and a videofluoroscopic swallowing study to evaluate deglutition (0=normal, 1=penetration, 2=aspiration) at 2 time points (at the beginning and at the end of the therapeutic program).

RESULTS

Seventy consecutive patients with hemiparesis of a mean (SD) age of 52±15 years were included in the study and were randomized in 2 groups. Thirty-seven of them (experimental group) conducted cervical isometric exercises in addition to their therapeutic program. At the last follow-up, patients had improved (P<0.001) cervical alignment, in both coronal and sagittal plane, and deglutition. Patients who conducted cervical isometric exercises (experimental group) had more pronounced correction (P<0.001) of cervical alignment in both planes and achieved greater improvement (P<0.05) of deglutition too, than patients who did not conduct such exercises (control group).

CONCLUSIONS

Dysphagic adult patients with hemiparesis after stroke in the rehabilitation phase who underwent cervical isometric strengthening exercises showed more significant correction of cervical alignment and more pronounced improvement in deglutition compared to patients who did not include cervical isometric exercises in their therapeutic program.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT

The additional use of cervical isometric exercises in hemiparetic stroke patients with dysphagic symptoms lead to more pronounced improvement of their swallowing function compared to such patients who are subjected to speech therapy only. Furthermore, these exercises are shown to be beneficial for cervical spine alignment too.

The effectiveness of hydrokinesiotherapy on postural balance of hemiplegic patients after stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:

To summarize evidence on the effects of hydrokinesiotherapy (HT) on postural balance in hemiplegic patients after stroke and compare them with conventional land therapy.

Data sources:

A literature search until October 2017 was conducted on CINAHL, PubMed, Cochrane EBM Reviews, Cochrane Clinical Trials, DARE, MEDLINE, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), PsycInfo and Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Source.

Review methods:

Only randomized controlled trials with pre-intervention and post-intervention assessment on postural control have been included. Assessment of the quality (by Downs and Black quality assessment tool) of the included studies was performed by two reviewers, and a meta-analysis was undertaken.

Results:

A total of 11 trials on postural control with 305 stroke patients were included. The majority of studies showed a beneficial effect of HT in postural control of the patients. The meta-analysis showed statistically significant improvement ( P < 0.05) in Berg Balance Scale (BBS), mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) sway velocity of center of pressure with eyes closed (EC) in both groups, but the mean differences in BBS (3.85 points), ML sway velocity of center of pressure (1.38 points) and AP sway velocity of center of pressure (1.64 points) were statistically improved ( P < 0.05) in HT over land therapy program.

Conclusion:

HT is superior to land therapy program regarding postural balance in terms of BBS, ML and AP sway velocity of center of pressure.

Caudal vs transforaminal epidural steroid injections as short-term (6 months) pain relief in lumbar spinal stenosis patients with sciatica

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to evaluate prospectively the efficacy of caudal epidural steroid injection (CESI) and transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) in lumbar spinal stenosis patients with sciatic pain.

DESIGN

Prospective clinical study.

SETTING AND PATIENTS

Thirty-one patients (average age 62 years) from two hospitals, with single dermotomal distribution of sciatic pain due to spinal stenosis were included in the study.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients underwent epidural steroid injections done by the same injectionist. Eleven patients from one hospital were included in the CESI group, while the TFESI group consisted of 20 comparable patients from the second site.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Primary outcome measure was the complete relief or at least 50% reduction of pain (visual analog scale [VAS]) at 6 months postinjection. Secondary outcome measures were the improvement of function (of at least 15 points of Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]) at 6 months and the changes of VAS and ODI and at 2 weeks, at 3 months, and at 6 months postinjection.

RESULTS

A significantly greater number of stenosis patients showed pain relief at 6 months postinjection with TFSI (90%) than with CESI (54.54%). All patients with TFSI showed improvement of function at 6 months while only three (27.27%) patients with caudal epidural improved functionally. Out of the total 31 patients, two patients from group A underwent a second CESI at 15 days postinjection and decompressive spine surgery between 3 and 6 months postinjection.

CONCLUSIONS

The effectiveness of transforaminal steroid injection for the stenosis patients with sciatica was superior to caudal at 6 months postinjection.

Management of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation with a double-button fixation system

INTRODUCTION

Numerous static and dynamic techniques have been described for the management of acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation. To date, no standard technique has been established and several complications have been described for each of these techniques. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the functional and radiographic outcomes of acute AC joint reconstruction after a mini-open technique using the double-button fixation system.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twelve patients with acute AC joint dislocation treated with the double-button fixation system by one surgeon were retrospectively reviewed. Functional assessment was performed by an independent reviewer using the DASH, Constant and the VAS scores. The coracoclavicular (CC) distance of the affected shoulder was assessed on a standard radiograph and compared with the contralateral normal one.

RESULTS

Eight patients were operated on for grade III AC joint dislocation and 4 for grade IV. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 27.5 years. The mean follow-up was 18.25 months (range: 12-30 months). At the most recent follow-up, the mean Constant score was 94.8 (range: 84-100) showing a significant increase compared with the mean pre-operative value of 34.4 (range: 25-52) (p<0.001). The mean DASH score was significantly decreased from 19.6 (range: 14-28) preoperatively to 0.25 (range: 0-3) at the last follow-up (p<0.001). The mean VAS score showed a significant decrease from 5.75 (range: 4-7) to 0.2 (range: 0-2) (p<0.001). The mean CC distance on the operated shoulder was found to have no significant difference from the CC distance on the contralateral normal side (10.5 vs. 10mm) (p>0.05). There was no evidence of AC joint osteoarthrosis, CC calcification or osteolysis of the distal clavicle or the coracoid process.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed mini-open technique provides adequate exposure of the base of the coracoid with minimal damage to the soft tissues surrounding the CC ligaments while ensures an excellent cosmetic result. We recommend this fast and relatively simple technique for all type IV injuries and for type III injuries in heavy manual workers and high-demand upper extremities athletes.

Shoulder abduction and external rotation restoration with nerve transfer

INTRODUCTION

In upper brachial plexus palsy patients, loss of shoulder function and elbow flexion is obvious as the result of paralysed muscles innervated by the suprascapular, axillary and musculocutaneus nerve. Shoulder stabilisation, restoration of abduction and external rotation are important as more distal functions will be affected by the shoulder situation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 2005 and 2011, eleven patients with upper type brachial plexus palsy were operated on with triceps nerve branch transfer to anterior axillary nerve branch and spinal accessory nerve transfer to the suprascapular nerve for shoulder abduction and external rotation restoration. Nine patients met the inclusion criteria for the study. All patients were men with ages ranged from 21 to 35 years (average, 27.4 years). The interval between injury and surgery ranged from 4 to 11 months (average, 7.2 months). Atrophy of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus and deltoid muscle and subluxation at the glenohumeral joint was obvious in all patients preoperatively. During the pre-op examination all patients had at least muscle grading 4 on the triceps muscle.

RESULTS

The mean post-operative value of shoulder abduction was 112.2° (range: 60-170°) while preoperatively none of the patients was able for abduction (p<0.001). The mean post-operative value of shoulder external rotation was 66° (range: 35-110°) while preoperatively none of them was able for external rotation (p<0.001). Postoperative values of shoulder abduction were significantly better that those of external rotation (p=0.0004). The postoperative average muscle grading for shoulder abduction according the MRC scale was 3.6±0.5 and for the shoulder external rotation was 3.2±0.4.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined nerve transfer by using the spinal accessory nerve for suprascapular nerve neurotisation and one of the triceps nerve branches for axillary nerve and teres minor branch neurotisation is an excellent choice for shoulder abduction and external rotation restoration.

Surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with microdecompression and interspinous distraction device insertion. A case series

BACKGROUND

Interspinous distraction devices (IPDD) are indicated as stand-alone devices for the treatment of spinal stenosis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of patients undergoing surgery for spinal stenosis with a combination of unilateral microdecompression and interspinous distraction device insertion.

METHODS

This is a prospective clinical and radiological study of minimum 2 years follow-up. Twenty-two patients (average age 64.5 years) with low-back pain and unilateral sciatica underwent decompressive surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis. Visual Analogue Scale, Oswestry Disability Index and walking capacity plus radiologic measurements of posterior disc height of the involved level and lumbar lordosis Cobb angle were documented both preoperatively and postoperatively. One-sided posterior subarticular and foraminal decompression was conducted followed by dynamic stabilization of the diseased level with an IPDD (X-STOP).

RESULTS

The average follow-up time was 27.4 months. Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Disability Index improved statistically significantly (p < 0.001) in the last follow-up exam. Also, the walking distance increased in all patients but two. Posterior intervertebral disc height of the diseased level widened average 1.8 mm in the postoperative radiograph compared to the preoperative. No major complication, including implant failure or spinous process breakage, has been observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The described surgical technique using unilateral microdecompression and IPDD insertion is a clinically effective and radiologically viable treatment method for symptoms of spinal stenosis resistant to non-operative treatment.

Cerebral oximetry and cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing surgery for hip fractures: a prospective observational study

Aim:

This study was conducted to examine perioperative cerebral oximetry changes in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture repair and evaluate the correlation between regional oxygen saturation (rSO₂) values, postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) and hospital stay.

Materials and Methods:

This prospective observational study included 69 patients. Data recorded included demographic information, rSO₂ values from baseline until the second postoperative hour and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores preoperatively and on postoperative day 7. MMSE score ≤23 was considered evidence of cognitive dysfunction. Postoperative confusion or agitation, medications administered for postoperative agitation, and hospital length of stay were also recorded. Data were analyzed with Student’s t-test, Pearson’s correlation or multiple regression analysis as appropriate.

Results:

Patient age was 74±13 years. Baseline left sided rSO₂ values were 60±10 and increased significantly after intubation. Baseline rSO₂ L<50 and <45 was observed in 11.6% and 10.1% of patients respectively. Perioperative cerebral desaturation occurred in 40% of patients. MMSE score was 26.23 ± 2.77 before surgery and 25.94 ± 2.52 on postoperative day 7 (p=0.326). MMSE scores ≤ 23 were observed preoperatively in 6 and postoperatively in 9 patients. Patients with cognitive dysfunction had lower preoperative hematocrit, hemoglobin, SpO₂ and rSO₂ values at all times, compared to patients who did not. There was no correlation between rSO₂ or POCD and hospital stay. Patients with baseline rSO₂ <5 required more medications for postoperative agitation.

Conclusion:

Cognitive dysfunction occurs preoperatively and postoperatively in elderly patients with hip fractures, and is associated with low cerebral rSO₂ values.

Ipsilateral atrophy of paraspinal and psoas muscle in unilateral back pain patients with monosegmental degenerative disc disease

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the cross-sectional area (CSA) of both paraspinal and psoas muscles in patients with unilateral back pain using MRI and to correlate it with outcome measures.

METHODS

40 patients, all with informed consent, with a minimum of 3 months of unilateral back pain with or without sciatica and one-level disc disease on MRI of the lumbosacral spine were included. Patients were evaluated with self-report measures regarding pain (visual analogue score) and disability (Oswestry disability index). The CSA of multifidus, erector spinae, quadratus lumborum and psoas was measured at the disc level of pathology and the two adjacent disc levels, bilaterally. Comparison of CSAs of muscles between the affected vs symptomless side was carried out with Student's t-test and correlations were conducted with Spearman's test.

RESULTS

The maximum relative muscle atrophy (% decrease in CSA on symptomatic side) independent of the level was 13.1% for multifidus, 21.8% for erector spinae, 24.8% for quadratus lumborum and 17.1% for psoas. There was significant difference (p<0.05) between sides (symptomatic and asymptomatic) in CSA of multifidus, erector spinae, quadratus lumborum and psoas. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between the duration of symptoms (average 15.5 months), patient's pain (average VAS 5.3) or disability (average ODI 25.2) and the relative muscle atrophy.

CONCLUSION

In patients with long-standing unilateral back pain due to monosegmental degenerative disc disease, selective multifidus, erector spinae, quadratus lumborum and psoas atrophy develops on the symptomatic side. Radiologists and clinicians should evaluate spinal muscle atrophy of patients with persistent unilateral back pain.

Sensory innervation of the subregions of the scapholunate interosseous ligament in relation to their structural composition

PURPOSE

To investigate the different types of innervation and the presence of mechanoreceptors in relation to the structural composition of the scapholunate interosseous ligament and to correlate the findings with the known mechanical properties of the ligament subregions.

METHODS

Six fresh cadaveric scapholunate interosseous ligaments were divided into their 3 subregions: dorsal, palmar, and proximal. The microscopic features were investigated with use of a standard hematoxylin-eosin stain and immunostains for S-100, neurofilaments, neuron-specific enolase, protein gene product 9.5, CD31, and smooth muscle actin. The connective tissue structural composition and the presence of blood vessels and neural structures (myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers and mechanoreceptors) were investigated. The macroscopic anatomic details were also noted.

RESULTS

The palmar subregion consists of structured, densely collagenized tissue at the core, surrounded by looser connective tissue. Myelinated nerve fibers forming fascicles accompany the interspersed blood vessels inside the ligament substance. Their concentration is greater in the proximal part of the palmar subregion, reaching a distance of approximately 150 mum from the ligament free surface. The dorsal subregion has similar structure to the palmar one, but the fibrous tissue ratio and density are higher. The proximal subregion consists of chondroid matrix and of loose connective tissue at its core. The radio-scapholunate ligament insertion is noted at the palmar aspect of the proximal subregion. Pacinian and other sensory corpuscles were found mostly at the palmar and proximal subregions.

CONCLUSIONS

The scapholunate interosseous ligament is a richly innervated ligament that contributes to carpal proprioception, a fundamental element of dynamic wrist stability. The palmar subregion, apart from its major mechanical role, contains the greatest amount of the neural structures and mechanoreceptors. The dorsal subregion, with densely packed collagen fibers and limited innervation, functions mainly to constrain the scaphoid-lunate relative motion.

Cortical desmoid and the four clinical scenarios

We reviewed four patients diagnosed with a cortical desmoid lesion at the distal posterior medial femur. Each case reflects a clinical scenario that can be present. Cortical desmoid is a benign, self-limited entity which occasionally can exhibit aggressive radiologic features. Here, we present the specific imaging features in association with patients history and clinical findings facilitating establishment of correct diagnosis. Exact diagnosis is important in order to avoid unnecessary biopsy and complicated therapeutic strategies.

Assessment of curve progression in idiopathic scoliosis

In a 5-year prospective study on idiopathic scoliosis, an attempt was made to elucidate the natural history of the disease and to determine which factors contribute to curve progression. A total of 85,622 children were examined for scoliosis in a prospective school screening study carried out in northwestern and central Greece. Curve progression was studied in 839 of the 1,436 children with idiopathic scoliosis of at least 10 degrees detected from the school screening program. Each child was followed clinically and roentgenographically for one to four follow-up visits for a mean of 3.2 years. Progression of the scoliotic curve was recorded in 14.7% of the children. Spontaneous improvement of at least 5 degrees was observed in 27.4% of them, with 80 children (9.5%) demonstrating complete spontaneous resolution. Eighteen percent of the patients remained stable, while the remaining patients demonstrated nonsignificant changes of less than 5 degrees in curve magnitude. A strong association was observed between the incidence of progression and the sex of the child, curve pattern, maturity, and to a lesser extent age and curve magnitude. More specifically, the following were associated with a high risk of curve progression: sex (girls); curve pattern (right thoracic and double curves in girls, and right lumbar curves in boys); maturity (girls before the onset of menses); age (time of pubertal growth spurt); and curve magnitude (> or = 30 degrees). On the other hand, left thoracic curves showed a weak tendency for progression. In conclusion, the findings of the present study strongly suggest that only a small percentage of scoliotic curves will undergo progression. The pattern of the curve according to curve direction and sex of the child was found to be a key indicator of which curves will progress.