Carpal tunnel syndrome: prevalence in the general population

To study the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in the general population and the value of brachialgia paraesthetica nocturna (BPN) in diagnosing CTS, an age and sex stratified random sample of 715 subjects was taken from the population register of Maastricht (The Netherlands) and surrounding villages, between September 1983 and July 1985. The response rate was 70%. Of these, 12 CTS cases had already been diagnosed. Of the remaining subjects, 64 (13 men, 51 women) woke up because of BPN. Among these subjects 1 man and 23 women were found to have CTS. The prevalence rate of undetected CTS was 5.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 3.5-8.1%] in adult women; 3.4 percent (95% CI: 1.5-5.3%) had already been diagnosed as CTS. The overall prevalence rate for men was 0.6% (95% CI 0.02-3.4%). These figures have to be regarded as minimal estimates. The overall diagnostic value of BPN for CTS was 38%, while for women only this was 45% (95% CI: 31-60%).

Anal dynamic graciloplasty in the treatment of intractable fecal incontinence

BACKGROUND

In patients with intractable fecal incontinence, conventional treatment is not always successful. Dynamic graciloplasty (transposition of the gracilis muscle to the anus with the implantation of stimulating electrodes) was developed to provide such patients with functional neosphincters. We evaluated the clinical results of this new surgical approach and the effects on quality of life.

METHODS

We treated 52 patients with dynamic graciloplasty. The clinical results of treatment were evaluated in an interview, by anal manometry, and by enema testing. The degree of continence was scored. To assess quality of life, four questionnaires were administered (parts 1 and 2 of the Nottingham Health Profile, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Self-rating Depression scale).

RESULTS

Among the 52 patients, 38 (73 percent) were continent after a median follow-up of 2.1 years. At 52 weeks the patients' condition had improved with respect to the median frequency of defecation (from five to two times per 24 hours, P < 0.001), the median time defecation could be postponed (from 9 seconds to 19 minutes, P = 0.012), and the median time an enema could be retained (from 0 to 180 seconds, P = 0.005). Patients in whom the technique was successful became less anxious than those in whom it failed (P = 0.002) and improved with regard to effectiveness in their occupations, ability to perform tasks around the home, personal relationships, sexual function, and social life (P = 0.01). They also became less isolated socially (P = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Dynamic graciloplasty is a safe and reliable technique in patients with severe incontinence and may result in a better quality of life.

Risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome

Between September 1983 and July 1985, a case-control study was performed of carpal tunnel syndrome risk factors in the general population of Maastricht, The Netherlands, and some surrounding villages. Twenty-eight of the 501 participants were found to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. These 28 were added to a series of 128 consecutive carpal tunnel syndrome patients from the same area. The 156 (131 women and 25 men) subjects in whom carpal tunnel syndrome had been diagnosed on the basis of clinical history and neurophysiologic testing were compared with the remaining 473 (310 women and 163 men) subjects. After adjustment for age and sex, the following carpal tunnel syndrome risk factors could be identified: activities with a flexed wrist or with an extended wrist (exposure-related increased risk), hysterectomy without oophorectomy, last menstrual period in menopausal women 6-12 months ago, height, weight, Quetelet index, slimming courses, and in men, varicosis. Associations between carpal tunnel syndrome and the use of oral contraceptives, age at menopause, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, rheumatism, typing, and pinch grasp could not be demonstrated.

Dynamic graciloplasty for treatment of faecal incontinence

Serious faecal incontinence due to anal sphincter damage should be treated by surgery. Graciloplasty has had limited success because the gracilis is a fast-twitch muscle and fatigues quickly. A favourable outcome in a patient who had dynamic (electrically stimulated) graciloplasty encouraged us to further assess this procedure. Gracilis muscle transposition was done in ten patients with complete anal incontinence due to anal atresia, sphincter damage, or neurogenic causes, and who had had several other unsuccessful treatments. 6 weeks after muscle transposition, intramuscular leads were implanted and connected to an implantable electric stimulator. Eight patients became continent, one patient still has a diverting colostomy, and a fistula developed in the other patient. Anal sphincter pressure improved from 35 mm Hg without stimulation to 62 mm Hg with stimulation at 8 weeks (mean increase 28 mm Hg [95% confidence interval 18, 36], p less than 0.01). Retention time of a phosphate enema increased from 22 to 281 s (mean increase 259 s [82, 436], p less than 0.01). Defaecography showed that the new sphincter was functioning. Defaecation was possible when the stimulator was turned "off" with a magnet. Dynamic graciloplasty can restore continence and it improves quality of life in faecally incontinent patients for whom other treatments have been unsuccessful.

Efficacy of provocative tests for diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome

The validity of twelve provocative tests for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a random sample of 504 people from the general population was assessed. 50 woke up at night due to paraesthesiae (with or without numbness or pain) in the fingers innervated by the median nerve (CTS symptoms) in 93 hands. CTS was neurophysiologically confirmed in 28 subjects (44 hands)--a prior probability for CTS of 47%. All clinical diagnostic tests had a low validity. Posterior probability of CTS ranged from 35 to 70% for positive test results and from 41 to 62% for negative test results. A combination of three tests with relatively high validity (paresis of abductor pollicis brevis muscle, hyperpathia, and flick sign) did not significantly change the probability of CTS. Patients with CTS symptoms should be referred directly for neurophysiological examination.

Strength training in patients with myotonic dystrophy and hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy: a randomized clinical trial

A randomized clinical trial on the effects of strength training was performed in myotonic dystrophy (MyD) patients and patients with hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy (HMSN). Training and most measurement tools involved the proximal lower extremity muscles. The participants trained 3 times a week for 24 weeks with weights adapted to their force. Strength was evaluated by isokinetically measured knee torque. Fatiguability was assessed by the time an isometric contraction could be sustained. Functional performance was measured by timed motor performance and by questionnaires on functional performance. Serum myoglobin (Mb) levels were determined to detect changes in muscle fiber membrane permeability. The MyD group included 33 participants, and the HMSN group included 29 participants. Within each diagnostic group, patients were individually matched and subsequently randomized for treatment allocation. In the MyD patients, none of the measurement techniques showed any training effect. Neither were there signs of deterioration caused by the training. In the HMSN group, knee torques increased. Timed motor performance did not change, although the questionnaires showed an improvement on items related to upper-leg function. Mb levels did not change significantly as a result of the training. In conclusion, the MyD group showed neither positive nor negative effects of the training protocol, whereas the training produced a moderate increase in strength and leg-related functional performance in the HMSN group.

Small fiber neuropathy: a common and important clinical disorder

Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a neuropathy selectively involving small diameter myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. Interest in this disorder has considerably increased during the past few years. It is often idiopathic and typically presents with peripheral pain and/or symptoms of autonomic dysfunction. Diagnosis is made on the basis of the clinical features, normal nerve conduction studies (NCS) and abnormal specialized tests of small nerve fibers. Among others, these tests include assessment of epidermal nerve fiber density, temperature sensation tests for sensory fibers and sudomotor and cardiovagal testing (QSART) for autonomic fibers. Unless an underlying disease is identified, treatment is usually symptomatic and directed towards alleviation of neuropathic pain.

An implanted neuromuscular stimulator for fecal continence following previously implanted gracilis muscle. Report of a case

A young woman had been treated previously with a gracilis muscle transposition because of anal atresia thus enabling her to maintain continence by active muscle contraction, which, however, she could sustain for only a few minutes. Implantation of a neuromuscular stimulator resulted in perfectly controllable sphincter function.

Effects and side effects of a percutaneous thermal lesion of the dorsal root ganglion in patients with cervical pain syndrome

Twenty consecutive patients with intractable chronic pain in the cervical region were treated with a radiofrequency lesion of the dorsal root ganglion on level C4, C5 or C6. Electromyography (EMG) and sensory evoked potentials (SEP) were recorded before and 3 weeks after the radiofrequency lesion. Side effects were studied 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 months after the procedure. Pain scores were evaluated on Numeric Rating Scales (NRS) before and 6 weeks after treatment. The patient was interviewed 3, 6 and 9 months after the radiofrequency lesion. The most common side effect was burning pain in the dermatome of the treated nerve root. Hyposensibility in the dermatome was noticed in 35% of patients. Except in 1 patient, these side effects had disappeared 6 weeks after treatment. The EMG showed no signs of denervation. One SEP recording remained abnormal after treatment. There was initial pain relief in 75% of patients after 3 months and in 50% of the patients after 6 months. In conclusion, this study did not reveal any signs of motor denervation after a percutaneous partial rhizotomy. There were no long-term signs of deafferentation. Initial pain relief was found in 75% of patients, but there was a marked tendency for pain to recur in a period from 3 to 9 months after treatment.

Interobserver variation in the interpretation of SSEPs in anoxic–ischaemic coma

OBJECTIVE

To study interobserver variation in the interpretation of median nerve SSEPs in patients with anoxic-ischaemic coma.

METHODS

SSEPs of 56 consecutive patients with anoxic-ischaemic coma were interpreted independently by 5 experienced clinical neurophysiologists using guidelines derived from a pilot study. Interobserver agreement was expressed as kappa coefficients.

RESULTS

Kappa ranged from 0.20 to 0.65 (mean 0.52, SD 0.14). Disagreement was related with noise level and failure to adhere strictly to the guidelines in 15 cases. The presence or absence of N13 and cortical peaks caused disagreement in 5 cases each. For recordings with a noise level of 0.25 microV or more, mean kappa was 0.34; for recordings with a noise level below 0.25 microV mean kappa was 0.74.

CONCLUSIONS

Interobserver agreement for SSEPs in anoxic-ischaemic coma was only moderate. Since the noise level strongly influenced interobserver variation, utmost attention should be given to its reduction. If an artefact level over 0.25 microV remains, absence of N20 cannot be judged with sufficient certainty and the SSEP should be repeated at a later stage.

SIGNIFICANCE

Because of its moderate interobserver agreement, great care has to be given to accurate recording and interpretation of SSEPs before using the recordings for non-treatment decisions.

Progressive resistance training in neuromuscular patients. Effects on force and surface EMG

In a randomized clinical trial the efficacy of strength training was studied in patients with myotonic dystrophy (n = 33) and in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (n = 29). Measurements were performed at the start and after 8, 16 and 24 weeks of progressive resistance training. Surface electromyography (SEMG) of proximal leg muscles was recorded during isometric knee extension at maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and at 20, 40, 60 and 80% of MVC. Changes in MVC, maximum electrical activity and torque-EMG ratios (TER) were calculated. Fatigue was studied by determining the changes in endurance and in the decline of the median frequency (Fmed) of the SEMG during a sustained contraction at 80% MVC. These parameters showed no significant changes after the training in either of the diagnostic groups. Only the Charcot-Marie-Tooth training group showed a gradual significant increase in mean MVC over the whole training period (21%). After 24 weeks, the increase in mean RMS was similar (25%), but this was mainly due to a sharp rise during the first 8 weeks of training (20%). The findings indicate that the initial strength increase was due to a neural factor, while the subsequent increase was mainly due to muscle hypertrophy.

Follow-up of anal dynamic graciloplasty for fecal continence

The feasibility of anal dynamic graciloplasty (transposition of the gracilis muscle and subsequent implantation of a stimulation device) to restore continence, was assessed in a case-control study of 26 patients with severe fecal incontinence. It was shown that anal dynamic graciloplasty is capable of achieving the sphincter tone of healthy persons, as stimulated graciloplasty increased anal pressure from 46 mmHg without stimulation to 65 mmHg with stimulation (mean increase 19 mmHg; 95% confidence interval 13, 25; n = 25; p < 0.01). Time to retain a 250-ml phosphate enema increased from 52 seconds before to 204 seconds after 8 weeks of electrical stimulation (mean increase 151 seconds; 95% confidence interval 61, 241; n = 25; p < 0.01). Complete fecal continence was achieved in 17 patients (65%); two of these patients developed a wound infection, but one of the two realized continence without stimulation and the other patient became continent after reimplantation. Three other patients improved after anal dynamic graciloplasty, but infection necessitated removal of the stimulation device. One patient developed a fistula. Failures were encountered in five patients. Although our long-term follow-up results suggest a learning curve, it is concluded that electrical stimulation improves the results of conventional graciloplasty and avoids construction of a colostomy.

Abnormal warm and cold sensation thresholds suggestive of small-fibre neuropathy in sarcoidosis

OBJECTIVE

A substantial number of sarcoidosis patients report apparently non-specific symptoms such as pain, for which no organic substrate has yet been found. Recently we observed symptoms suggestive of small-fibre neuropathy in a group of sarcoidosis patients. The aim of the present study was to verify this observation using various electrophysiological tests.

METHODS

In 74 sarcoidosis patients complaining of symptoms suggestive of small-fibre neuropathy, thresholds for warm (WS) and cold sensation (CS) as well as for heat pain were determined at the thenar eminence and the foot dorsum. Furthermore, sympathetic skin responses (SSR), nerve conduction studies and concentric needle electromyography were performed. In 31 patients, cardiovascular autonomic testing was carried out.

RESULTS

Thermal threshold testing (TTT) revealed abnormalities in 51 of the 74 patients. Abnormalities showed an asymmetrical distribution. WS was affected more often than CS and feet more often than hands. Nerve conduction studies in the legs showed slightly abnormal results in 6 patients; all of these had abnormal TTT results. The SSR was absent at the foot in 7 patients. Cardiovascular autonomic testing was abnormal in only a single patient.

CONCLUSIONS

In a subgroup of sarcoidosis patients we found TTT abnormalities suggestive of small-fibre neuropathy. SSR and cardiovascular autonomic testing appeared to be of little diagnostic value. Small-fibre neuropathy may be the cause of a number of hitherto unexplained symptoms in sarcoidosis.

The clinical spectrum of limb girdle muscular dystrophy. A survey in The Netherlands

A cross-sectional study was performed in the Netherlands to define the clinical characteristics of the various subtypes within the broad and heterogeneous entity of limb girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD). An attempt was made to include all known cases of LGMD in the Netherlands. Out of the reported 200 patients, 105 who fulfilled strictly defined criteria were included. Forty-nine patients, mostly suffering from dystrophinopathies and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, appeared to be misdiagnosed. Thirty-four cases were sporadic, 42 patients came from autosomal recessive and 29 from autosomal dominant families. The estimated prevalence of LGMD in the Netherlands was at least 8.1 x 10(-6). The clinical features of the autosomal recessive and sporadic cases were indistinguishable from those of the autosomal dominant patients, although calf hypertrophy was seen more frequently, and the course of the disease was more severe in autosomal recessive and sporadic cases. The pectoralis, iliopsoas and gluteal muscles, hip adductors and hamstrings were the most affected muscles. Distal muscle involvement occurred late in the course of the disease. Facial weakness was a rare phenomenon. The severity of the clinical picture was correlated with a deteriorating lung function. All autosomal dominantly inherited cases showed a mild course, although in two families life-expectancy was reduced because of concomitant cardiac involvement.

Schwartz-Jampel syndrome: II. Na+ channel defect causes myotonia

Skeletal muscle fibers from a patient with Schwartz-Jampel syndrome were studied in vitro. The fibers had normal resting membrane potentials, but their resting [Ca2+]i was elevated. The resting potentials were unstable and spontaneous depolarizations caused twitching in all fibers. Stimulated contractions were characterized by markedly slowed relaxation which was due to electrical after-activity. Neither curare (0.7 microM), tocainide (50 microM), nor phenytoin (80 microM) had an effect on the myotonic activity. In contrast, procainamide (200 microM) suppressed the hyperexcitability without affecting the twitch amplitude. The steady-state current-voltage relation was normal in 5 fibers, but altered in 3 others. These latter fibers had an increased specific membrane resistance owing to a decreased Cl- conductance. The Na+ channels were investigated in the cell-attached patch clamp mode. In all patches on either type of fiber, depolarizing pulses elicited delayed, synchronized openings of Na+ channels. These abnormal openings occurred even after the surface membrane repolarized. We hypothesize that these altered membrane conductances are responsible for the hyperexcitability and the associated slowed relaxation.

Comparison of thermal threshold tests to assess small nerve fiber function: limits vs. levels

OBJECTIVE

The method of limits (MLI) and the method of levels (MLE) are psychophysical stimulus procedures most commonly applied to quantify warm and cold sensation thresholds in humans. This paper evaluates basic methodological properties of both methods and investigates the correspondence between the method's results.

METHODS

Warm sensation threshold was measured in 20 healthy participants using the psychophysical MLIs and MLEs. Two differently shaped kind of levels stimuli were used with triangular (TRIANG) and trapezoid (TRAP) temperature-time profile.

RESULTS

A linear model of temperature response, based on threshold level-crossing, quantifies sensation threshold, independent of the MLI inherent 'reaction-time' artifact. It results from modeling MLI responses to warm stimuli with different rates of temperature change. The model also quantifies the reaction-time delay in the physiological system from thermal stimulus presentation until manual response. This study shows that using the reaction-time independent MLE, TRAP should preferably be used for optimal quantification of sensation threshold.

CONCLUSIONS

Statistical testing shows that model-based MLI threshold equals MLE threshold provided MLE TRAP stimuli are used. Recommendations for optimal MLI and MLE stimulus configurations and properties are given in relation to application of quantitative sensory testing.

Denervation due to lesions of the central nervous system. An EMG study in cases of cerebral contusion and cerebrovascular accidents

Electromyographic examination of 10 patients with severe cerebral contusion revealed profuse fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves in many muscles, proximal as well as distal, sometimes also in the paraspinal musculature. In some cases complete denervation of a muscle was found. It appeared that these findings were not due to plexus lesions or spinal root avulsions, but that they were caused by the lesion of the central nervous system. In 10 patients with slight concussion no spontaneous activity was found. Fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves occurred in the paretic limbs in 20 out of 21 patients with hemisyndromes due to cerebrovascular accidents. The spontaneous activity appeared after 2-3 weeks (as in peripheral nerve lesions) and disappeared or diminished considerably within 6 months. The denervation caused by the central lesion was attended by normal motor and sensory nerve conduction (apart from disturbed motor conduction to totally denervated and subsequently reinnervated muscles). It is concluded that lesions of the central nervous system may cause a dysfunction of anterior horn cells which leads to axonal degeneration, probably in the form of a dying-back process. Apparently in the majority of the anterior horn cells this dysfunction is temporary, so that axonal regeneration and reinnervation soon take place.

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy in the Netherlands: gene defect identified in half the families

Pheno- and genotype correlation is attempted in a Dutch cross-sectional study on limb- girdle muscular dystrophy. Sarcoglycans, caveolin-3, calpain-3, and dysferlin were analyzed on muscle tissue. Mutation analysis of the calpain-3, caveolin-3, and fukutin-related protein gene was executed in successive order for all samples. In 51% of all families a classifying diagnosis was made. Several new mutations in LGMD2A, B, and C patients have been found in this population.

Quadriceps strength and timed motor performances in myotonic dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and healthy subjects

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The leading hypothesis was that a relation exists between muscular strength and functional abilities. Therefore a study was undertaken to quantify such a relationship in a population of subjects with different muscular strengths. This population consisted of healthy subjects and subjects with slowly progressive neuromuscular disorders.

METHODS

The study included 33 patients with myotonic dystrophy, 29 patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and 20 healthy subjects. Isokinetic and isometric knee torques were measured on an isokinetic dynamometer at various velocities. The following activities were timed: descending and ascending stairs, rising from a chair, rising from supine, walking at natural speed and walking at maximum speed.

RESULTS

The population covered a wide range of the variables: whereas the healthy subjects performed best (i.e. had the highest knee torques and performed the activities most quickly), the myotonic dystrophy group included the subjects with the lowest knee torques. The natural logarithms (In) of isokinetic extension torque at the highest velocity (120 degrees/s) and those of the time taken to perform the described activities showed the highest levels of correlation. It was found that after correction for age and weight, 56% (walking at natural speed) to 73% (descending stairs) of the variance in the In of the time taken could be attributed to the variance in the In of the torques.

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION

A strong relation between quadriceps strength and timed motor performances were demonstrated. The impact of strength reduction on time taken was most obvious in subjects with considerably decreased strength. Therefore, it is feasible to try to influence muscle strength in patients with relevant strength reduction in order to achieve better functional ability.

Surface EMG of proximal leg muscles in neuromuscular patients and in healthy controls. Relations to force and fatigue

In an effort to find parameters to evaluate patients with neuromuscular disorders, surface electromyography (SEMG) of proximal leg muscles was performed in 33 patients with myotonic dystrophy (MyD), 29 patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and 20 healthy controls. The root mean square (RMS) of the SEMG amplitude (microV) was calculated at different torque levels. Endurance (seconds) and median frequency (Fmed) of the SEMG power spectrum, used as parameters of fatigue, were determined at 80% of MVC. Maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was found to be decreased in patients; the ratio between RMS values of antagonists and agonists was increased and torque-EMG ratios (Nm/microV) were decreased. These differences with respect to controls were more pronounced in MyD than in CMT. The initial Fmed value was lowest in CMT. The greatest decrease in Fmed was found in MyD. SEMG data in relation to force have not been determined before in groups of MyD or CMT patients. In both disorders, parameters differed from controls, which means that adding SEMG to strength measurements could be useful in studying the progress of the disorder and the effects of interventions.

Schwartz-Jampel syndrome: I. Clinical, electromyographic, and histologic studies

In a new, typical case of Schwartz-Jampel syndrome (SJS) the origin of the disorder was found to be purely myogenic. Concentric needle EMG showed abundant and persistent spontaneous activity, maximal at insertion, and uninfluenced by local curarization. Single-fiber EMG showed rather stable, sometimes intermittent, discharge series with occasional amplitude and/or frequency fluctuations. It could be demonstrated that this activity did not consist of complex repetitive discharges, but of independent activity of individual muscle fibers. This contrasts with findings by other investigators that have been published in this journal. Light microscopic studies of quadriceps and intercostal muscles showed no abnormalities, whereas electron-microscopic findings were in accordance with earlier studies in SJS. Endplate analysis revealed no specific changes; the postsynaptic structures gave the impression of an accelerated-maturation.

Extracellular ATP decreases trophoblast invasion, spiral artery remodeling and immune cells in the mesometrial triangle in pregnant rats

INTRODUCTION

Preeclampsia is characterized by deficient trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling, a process governed by inflammatory cells. High levels of the danger signal extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) have been found in women with preeclampsia and infusion of ATP in pregnant rats induced preeclampsia-like symptoms such as albuminuria and placental ischemia. We hypothesized that ATP inhibits trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling and affects macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells present in the rat mesometrial triangle.

METHODS

Pregnant rats were infused with ATP or saline (control) on day 14 of pregnancy. Rats were sacrificed on day 15, 17 or 20 of pregnancy and placentas with mesometrial triangle were collected. Sections were stained for trophoblast cells, α-smooth muscle actin (spiral artery remodeling), NK cells and various macrophage populations. Expression of various cytokines in the mesometrial triangle was analyzed using real-time RT-PCR.

RESULTS

ATP infusion decreased interstitial trophoblast invasion on day 17 and spiral artery remodeling on day 17 and 20, increased activated tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive macrophages on day 15, decreased NK cells on day 17 and 20, and decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-positive and CD206-positive macrophages and TNF-α and IL-33 expression at the end of pregnancy (day 20).

DISCUSSION

Interstitial trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling in the rat mesometrial triangle were decreased by infusion of ATP. These ATP-induced modifications were preceded by an increase in activated TRAP-positive macrophages and coincided with NK cell numbers, suggesting that they are involved.

CONCLUSION

Trophoblast invasion and spiral artery remodeling may be inhibited by ATP-induced activated macrophages and decreased NK cells in the mesometrial triangle in rat pregnancy.

Electrically stimulated gracilis sphincter for treatment of bladder sphincter incontinence

Correction of total urinary incontinence due to sphincter damage is done with an artificial sphincter prosthesis or urinary diversion. In this pilot study we used graciloplasty around the bladder neck followed by electrical stimulation of this muscle with an implanted stimulator, which could be switched off and on by a magnet. Stimulus variables could be changed externally. With the stimulator on, urethral pressures of about 50 cm H2O were obtained. Of three patients who underwent the procedure, two became continent and one improved but remained incontinent. Dynamic graciloplasty can restore urinary incontinence.

Fasciculation potentials in foot and leg muscles of healthy young adults

The occurrence of fasciculation potentials (FPs) was studied in healthy subjects aged 18-25. In 25 males and 25 females 3 intrinsic foot muscles, the tibialis anterior and the gastrocnemius muscles on both sides were monitored with surface electrodes for 2 min periods. Only potentials with a peak-to-peak amplitude of at least 50 microV were counted. The number of FPs per minute (FPs/min) was significantly higher in the abductor hallucis (AH) and significantly lower in the tibialis anterior as compared to all other muscles (P < 0.001). Men had significantly more FPs in the AH than women (P < 0.05). In all subjects FPs were found in at least 1 AH. Cooling of the foot did not influence the numbers of FPs/min in the foot muscles. To study diurnal variation, all 5 muscles on both sides were monitored 3 times/day on 10 different days in another 10 subjects (5 males, 5 females). Only in the tibialis anterior did the number of FPs never exceed 3/min. In the other muscles considerable fluctuations were found, especially in the AH, where more than 100 FPs/min were occasionally recorded. In the course of the day a significant (P = 0.05) decrease in FPs/min was found for the AH muscle. In 8 subjects there was a significant correlation between the numbers of FPs in the left and right AH during successive recordings. This indicates that an, as yet unknown, general factor determines the fluctuations in numbers of FPs.