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PloS One 2015The course and branches of the median nerve (MN) in the wrist vary widely among the population. Due to significant differences in the reported prevalence of such... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
The course and branches of the median nerve (MN) in the wrist vary widely among the population. Due to significant differences in the reported prevalence of such variations, extensive knowledge on the anatomy of the MN is essential to avoid iatrogenic nerve injury. Our aim was to determine the prevalence rates of anatomical variations of the MN in the carpal tunnel and the most common course patterns and variations in its thenar motor branch (TMB).
STUDY DESIGN
A systematic search of all major databases was performed to identify articles that studied the prevalence of MN variations in the carpal tunnel and the TMB. No date or language restrictions were set. Extracted data was classified according to Lanz's classification system: variations in the course of the single TMB--extraligamentous, subligamentous, and transligamentous (type 1); accessory branches of the MN at the distal carpal tunnel (type 2); high division of the MN (type 3); and the MN and its accessory branches proximal to the carpal tunnel (type 4). Pooled prevalence rates were calculated using MetaXL 2.0.
RESULTS
Thirty-one studies (n = 3918 hands) were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence rates of the extraligamentous, subligamentous, and transligamentous courses were 75.2% (95%CI:55.4%-84.7%), 13.5% (95%CI:3.6%-25.7%), and 11.3% (95%CI:2.4%-23.0%), respectively. The prevalence of Lanz group 2, 3, and 4 were 4.6% (95%CI:1.6%-9.1%), 2.6% (95%CI:0.1%-2.8%), and 2.3% (95%CI:0.3%-5.6%), respectively. Ulnar side of branching of the TMB was found in 2.1% (95%CI:0.9%-3.6%) of hands. The prevalence of hypertrophic thenar muscles over the transverse carpal ligament was 18.2% (95%CI:6.8%-33.0%). A transligamentous course of the TMB was more commonly found in hands with hypertrophic thenar muscles (23.4%, 95%CI:5.0%-43.4%) compared to those without hypertrophic musculature (1.7%, 95%CI:0%-100%). In four studies (n = 423 hands), identical bilateral course of the TMB was found in 72.3% (95%CI:58.4%-84.4%) of patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Anatomical variations in the course of the TMB and the MN in the carpal tunnel are common in the population. Thus, we recommend an ulnar side approach to carpal tunnel release, with a careful layer by layer dissection, to avoid iatrogenic damage to the TMB.
Topics: Cadaver; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Hand; Humans; Hypertrophy; Median Nerve; Prevalence; Wrist
PubMed: 26305098
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136477 -
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2022Responsive neurostimulation is an evolving therapeutic option for patients with treatment-refractory epilepsy. Open-loop, continuous stimulation of the anterior thalamic... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Responsive neurostimulation is an evolving therapeutic option for patients with treatment-refractory epilepsy. Open-loop, continuous stimulation of the anterior thalamic nuclei is the only approved modality, yet chronic stimulation rarely induces complete seizure remission and is associated with neuropsychiatric adverse effects. Accounts of off-label responsive stimulation in thalamic nuclei describe significant improvements in patients who have failed multiple drug regimens, vagal nerve stimulation, and other invasive measures. This systematic review surveys the currently available data supporting the use of responsive thalamic neurostimulation in primary and secondary generalized, treatment-refractory epilepsy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic review was performed using the following combination of keywords and controlled vocabulary: ("Seizures"[Mesh] AND "Thalamus"[Mesh] AND "Deep Brain Stimulation"[Mesh]) OR (responsive neurostim* AND (thalamus[MeSH])) OR [responsive neurostimulation AND thalamus AND (epilepsy OR seizures)]. In addition, a search of the publications listed under the PubMed "cited by" tab was performed for all publications that passed title/abstract screening in addition to manually searching their reference lists.
RESULTS
Ten publications were identified describing a total of 29 subjects with a broad range of epilepsy disorders treated with closed-loop thalamic neurostimulation. The median age of subjects was 31 years old (range 10-65 years). Of the 29 subjects, 15 were stimulated in the anterior, 11 in the centromedian, and 3 in the pulvinar nuclei. Excluding 5 subjects who were treated for 1 month or less, median time on stimulation was 19 months (range 2.4-54 months). Of these subjects, 17/24 experienced greater than or equal to 50%, 11/24 least 75%, and 9/24 at least 90% reduction in seizures. Although a minority of patients did not exhibit significant clinical improvement by follow-up, there was a general trend of increasing treatment efficacy with longer periods on closed-loop thalamic stimulation.
CONCLUSION
The data supporting off-label closed-loop thalamic stimulation for refractory epilepsy is limited to 29 adult and pediatric patients, many of whom experienced significant improvement in seizure duration and frequency. This encouraging progress must be verified in larger studies.
PubMed: 35865353
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.910345 -
Intermediate Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: an electrophysiological reappraisal and systematic review.Journal of Neurology Aug 2017Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the most frequent form of inherited neuropathy with great variety of phenotypes, inheritance patterns, and causative genes.... (Review)
Review
Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the most frequent form of inherited neuropathy with great variety of phenotypes, inheritance patterns, and causative genes. According to median motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), CMT is divided into demyelinating (CMT1) with MNCV below 38 m/s, axonal (CMT2) with MNCV above 38 m/s, and intermediate CMT with MNCV between 25 and 45 m/s. In each category, transmission may be autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, or X-linked. The nosology of intermediate CMT is controversial because of concerns about electrophysiological delimitation. A systematic computer-based literature search was conducted on PubMed, using the following MeSH: (1) intermediate Charcot-Marie-Tooth; (2) X-linked intermediate Charcot-Marie-Tooth; and (3) X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth and electrophysiology. We retrieved 225 articles reporting X-linked CMT or intermediate CMT with electrophysiological information. After eligibility, 156 papers were used for this review. In assessing median MNCV, compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes were taken into account. In cases with attenuated CMAP and wherever possible, proximal median MNCV was used for accurate definition of conduction slowing in the intermediate range. In the vast majority of males with X-linked CMT associated with GJB1 mutation (CMTX1), median MNCV was intermediate. CMT associated with DRP2 mutation is another well-documented X-linked intermediate disorder. Autosomal dominant intermediate CMT (DI-CMT) encompasses 11 different types; six of them with assigned phenotype MIM number and the remaining five being unnumbered. Based on available electrophysiological information, we wonder if DI-CMTA should be reclassified within CMT2. Autosomal recessive intermediate CMT (RI-CMT) covers four numbered MIM phenotypes though, in accordance with reported electrophysiology, two of them (RI-CMTB and RI-CMTD) should probably be reclassified within AR-CMT2. We conclude that intermediate CMT is a complex inherited syndrome, whose characterization requires a specific electrophysiological protocol comprising evaluation of upper limb proximal nerve trunks when distal CMAP amplitudes are reduced, and that an updated version of MIM phenotype numbering is needed.
Topics: Animals; Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease; Humans; Median Nerve; Neural Conduction
PubMed: 28364294
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-017-8474-3 -
The Journal of International Medical... Nov 2022To identify whether median nerve stimulation (MNS) may be a potential candidate for the treatment of consciousness disorders via a systematic review and meta-analysis. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
To identify whether median nerve stimulation (MNS) may be a potential candidate for the treatment of consciousness disorders via a systematic review and meta-analysis.
METHODS
PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese VIP Information, Wanfang, and SinoMed databases were searched. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Disability Rating Scale (DRS), electroencephalogram (EEG), days in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and cerebral blood flow measures were compared between the median nerve stimulation and control groups. The meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager software.
RESULTS
We identified 2244 studies, of which 23 (with data from 1856 patients) qualified for the analysis. MNS improved GCS scores (mean difference [MD] = 2.15), EEG scores (MD = 1.61), cerebral mean blood flow velocity (MD = 4.23), and cerebral systolic blood flow velocity (MD = 10.51). Furthermore, it decreased DRS scores (MD = -1.77) and days in the ICU (MD = -2.02). The effects of MNS on GCS scores increased with longer treatments (1 week, MD = 1.03; 1 month, MD = 2.35) and were better with right MNS (right, MD = 2.36; bilateral, MD = 1.72).
CONCLUSIONS
MNS may promote recovery from consciousness disorders.
Topics: Humans; Consciousness Disorders; Median Nerve; Electric Stimulation; Electroencephalography; Asian People
PubMed: 36448965
DOI: 10.1177/03000605221134467 -
Biomedicines Aug 2022The rat median nerve model is a well-established and frequently used model for peripheral nerve injury and repair. The grasping test is the gold-standard to evaluate... (Review)
Review
The rat median nerve model is a well-established and frequently used model for peripheral nerve injury and repair. The grasping test is the gold-standard to evaluate functional recovery in this model. However, no comprehensive review exists to summarize the course of functional recovery in regard to the lesion type. According to PRISMA-guidelines, research was performed, including the databases PubMed and Web of Science. Groups were: (1) crush injury, (2) transection with end-to-end or with (3) end-to-side coaptation and (4) isogenic or acellular allogenic grafting. Total and respective number, as well as rat strain, type of nerve defect, length of isogenic or acellular allogenic allografts, time at first signs of motor recovery (FSR) and maximal recovery grasping strength (MRGS), were evaluated. In total, 47 articles met the inclusion criteria. Group I showed earliest signs of motor recovery. Slow recovery was observable in group III and in graft length above 25 mm. Isografts recovered faster compared to other grafts. The onset and course of recovery is heavily dependent from the type of nerve injury. The grasping test should be used complementary in addition to other volitional and non-volitional tests. Repetitive examinations should be planned carefully to optimize assessment of valid and reliable data.
PubMed: 36009423
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081878 -
Orthopedic Reviews 2022We aimed to systematically review all papers examining floating elbow injuries in adults.
BACKGROUND
We aimed to systematically review all papers examining floating elbow injuries in adults.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
MEDLINE, Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma, PROSPERO, and Scopus databases were searched up to August 31, 2020. Included studies had as a primary or secondary outcome the functional outcomes after a floating elbow injury on patients aged 17 or older. Methodological quality of the included studies was assessed.
RESULTS
Thirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Patients were male at 73,1%. Median age of the patients was 33,0 years and median time of follow-up was 19,5 months. Articular surfaces were affected at 24,4%, whereas 51,2% of the fractures was open. Approximately, 34,9% of the patients suffered neural injury. Ipsilateral and multiple-system injuries were present in 34,8% and 76,3 % of the cases, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that intra-articular and nerve damage, open fractures and multi-system injuries affected range of motion, union and complications. Sex, age, vascular damage and ipsilateral injuries of the patient did not adversely impact the outcome. All of the included studies were classified as very-low quality of evidence.
CONCLUSIONS
The current knowledge regarding the characteristics of floating elbow in adults is limited, albeit we were able to provide possible pre-operative predictor outcomes.
PubMed: 38350018
DOI: 10.52965/001c.31843 -
Muscle & Nerve Jul 2023Although electromyography remains the "gold standard" for assessing and diagnosing peripheral nerve disorders, ultrasound has emerged as a useful adjunct, providing... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION/AIMS
Although electromyography remains the "gold standard" for assessing and diagnosing peripheral nerve disorders, ultrasound has emerged as a useful adjunct, providing valuable anatomic information. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the normative sonographic values for adult peripheral nerve cross-sectional area (CSA).
METHODS
Medline and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for healthy adult peripheral nerve CSA, excluding the median and ulnar nerves. Data were meta-analyzed, using a random-effects model, to calculate the mean nerve CSA and its 95% confidence interval (CI) for each nerve at a specific anatomical location (= group).
RESULTS
Thirty groups were identified and meta-analyzed, which comprised 16 from the upper extremity and 15 from the lower extremity. The tibial nerve (n = 2916 nerves) was reported most commonly, followed by the common fibular nerve (n = 2580 nerves) and the radial nerve (n = 2326 nerves). Means and 95% confidence interval (CIs) of nerve CSA for the largest number of combined nerves were: radial nerve assessed at the spiral groove (n = 1810; mean, 5.14 mm ; 95% CI, 4.33 to 5.96); common fibular nerve assessed at the fibular head (n = 1460; mean, 10.18 mm ; 95% CI, 8.91 to 11.45); and common fibular nerve assessed at the popliteal fossa (n = 1120; mean, 12.90 mm ; 95% CI, 9.12 to 16.68). Publication bias was suspected, but its influence on the results was minimal.
DISCUSSION
Two hundred thirty mean CSAs from 15 857 adult nerves are included in the meta-analysis. These are further categorized into 30 groups, based on anatomical location, providing a comprehensive reference for the clinician and researcher investigating adult peripheral nerve anatomy.
Topics: Median Nerve; Peripheral Nerves; Radial Nerve; Tibial Nerve; Ulnar Nerve; Ultrasonography; Humans; Adult
PubMed: 36583383
DOI: 10.1002/mus.27783 -
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience :... Apr 2022Posterior epidural intervertebral disc migration and sequestration (PEIMS) is a rare and debilitating complication of degenerative disc disease. Radiological... (Review)
Review
Posterior epidural intervertebral disc migration and sequestration (PEIMS) is a rare and debilitating complication of degenerative disc disease. Radiological differential diagnosis is often challenging, complicating the accurate planning of appropriate treatment strategies. We systematically reviewed the literature on PEIMS, focusing on clinical-radiological features and available treatments. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane were searched to include studies reporting clinical data of patients with PEIMS. Clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and functional outcomes were analyzed. We included 82 studies comprising 157 patients. Median age was 54 years (range, 19-91). PEIMSs occurred spontaneously (49.7%) or acutely in patients with underlying progressive degenerative disc disease (50.3%). The most common symptoms were lower-back pain (77.1%) and radiculopathy (66.2%), mainly involving the L5 nerve root (43.8%). PEIMSs were mostly detected at MRI (93%) and/or CT (7%), frequently located in the lumbar spine (81.5%). Median maximum PEIMS diameter was 2.4 cm (range, 1.2-5.0). Surgical debulking was completed in 150 patients (95.5%), sometimes coupled with decompressive laminectomy (65%) or hemilaminectomy (19.1%). Median follow-up time was 3 months (range, 0.5-36.0). Post-treatment symptomatic improvement was reported in 153 patients (97.5%), with total recovery in 118 (75.2%). All 7 patients (4.5%) who received conservative non-surgical management had total clinical recovery at ≤ 3 months follow-ups. PEIMS is a challenging entity that may severely quality-of-life in patients with degenerative disc disease. Surgical removal represents the gold standard to improve patient's functional status. Spine fusion and conservative strategies proved to be effective in some cases.
Topics: Epidural Space; Humans; Intervertebral Disc; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration; Intervertebral Disc Displacement; Lumbar Vertebrae; Middle Aged
PubMed: 35152147
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2022.01.039 -
World Journal of Surgical Oncology Mar 2015Cervical vagal schwannoma is a benign, slow-growing mass, often asymptomatic, with a very low lifetime risk of malignant transformation in general population, but... (Review)
Review
Cervical vagal schwannoma is a benign, slow-growing mass, often asymptomatic, with a very low lifetime risk of malignant transformation in general population, but diagnosis is still a challenge. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice even if its close relationship with nerve fibres, from which it arises, threats vagal nerve preservation. We present a case report and a systematic review of literature. All studies on surgical resection of cervical vagal schwannoma have been reviewed. Papers matching the inclusion criteria (topic on surgical removal of cervical vagal schwannoma, English language, full text available) were selected. Fifty-three patients with vagal neck schwannoma submitted to surgery were identified among 22 studies selected. Female/male ratio was 1.5 and median age 44 years. Median diameter was 5 cm (range 2 to 10). Most schwannoma were asymptomatic (68.2%) and received an intracapsular excision (64.9%). Postoperative symptoms were reported in 22.6% of patients. Cervical vagal schwannoma is a benign pathology requiring surgical excision, but frequently postoperative complications can affect patients lifelong, so, surgical indications should be based carefully on the balance between risks and benefits.
Topics: Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Neurilemmoma; Postoperative Complications; Prognosis; Vagus Nerve Diseases
PubMed: 25881101
DOI: 10.1186/s12957-015-0541-6 -
Annals of Clinical and Translational... Jan 2021X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1 (CMTX1) is an inherited peripheral neuropathy caused by mutations in the gap junction beta 1 (GJB1) gene, which encodes the...
OBJECTIVE
X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1 (CMTX1) is an inherited peripheral neuropathy caused by mutations in the gap junction beta 1 (GJB1) gene, which encodes the connexin32 protein. A small number of patients with GJB1 mutations present with episodic neurological dysfunction and reversible white matter lesions, which has not been adequately reported. Here, we aim to enable clinicians to further understand this particular situation through systematically reviewing all published relevant cases.
METHODS
We conducted a comprehensive search of the PubMed electronic database for medical literature relevant to CMTX1 patients with episodic neurological dysfunction and then fully analyzed the general information, clinical manifestations, and characteristics of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and nerve conduction study (NCS).
RESULTS
We identified 47 cases of CMTX1 associated with episodic central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction from 38 publications. CMTX1 patients experienced episodic CNS deficits at a young age, ranging from infancy to 26 years, and 45 (95.7%) of them were male. The CNS symptoms manifested as facial, lingual, or limb weakness in 44 (93.6%), dysarthria or dysphagia in 39 (83.0%), facial or limb numbness in 15 (31.9%), and ataxia in 10 (21.3%) patients. The duration of episodic symptoms ranged from 3 minutes to 6 months. Thirty (63.8%) CMTX1 cases have reported obvious predisposing factors, among which the most common factors were infection or fever (27.7%), travel to high altitude (12.8%), and intensive exercise (8.5%). As for brain MRI, most abnormal signals were found in bilateral deep white matter (88.9%) and corpus callosum (80.0%). In addition, most of the NCS results were abnormal, including prolonged latency, reduced amplitude, and slowed conduction velocity. The motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) of median nerve was the most detectable and valuable, ranging from 25 to 45 m/s.
INTERPRETATION
We have reported the most comprehensive summary of the demographic and clinical profile from 47 CMTX1 patients with episodic CNS deficits and provided new insight into the phenotype spectrum of CMTX1. We hope that our study can help clinicians make early diagnosis and implement the best prevention and treatment strategies for CMTX1 patients with episodic CNS deficits.
Topics: Central Nervous System Diseases; Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease; Female; Humans; Male
PubMed: 33314704
DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51271