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Thoracic Surgery Clinics May 2024An elevated diaphragm may be due to eventration or paralysis. Diaphragm elevation is often asymptomatic and found incidentally on imaging. Fluoroscopic testing can be...
An elevated diaphragm may be due to eventration or paralysis. Diaphragm elevation is often asymptomatic and found incidentally on imaging. Fluoroscopic testing can be used to differentiate eventration (no paradoxic motion) from paralysis (paradoxic motion). Regardless of etiology, a diaphragm plication is indicated in all symptomatic patients with an elevated diaphragm. Plication can be approached either from a thoracic or abdominal approach, though most thoracic surgeons perform minimally invasive thoracoscopic plication. The goal of plication is to improve lung volumes and decrease paradoxic elevation of the hemidiaphragm. Diaphragm plication is safe, has excellent outcomes, and is associated with symptom improvement.
Topics: Humans; Diaphragm; Diaphragmatic Eventration; Respiratory Paralysis
PubMed: 38705666
DOI: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2024.01.006 -
Journal of Virology May 2023In 2014, 2016, and 2018, the United States experienced unprecedented spikes in pediatric cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), which is a poliomyelitis-like paralytic...
In 2014, 2016, and 2018, the United States experienced unprecedented spikes in pediatric cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), which is a poliomyelitis-like paralytic illness. Accumulating clinical, immunological, and epidemiological evidence has identified enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) as a major causative agent of these biennial AFM outbreaks. There are currently no available FDA-approved antivirals that are effective against EV-D68, and the treatment for EV-D68-associated AFM is primarily supportive. Telaprevir is an food and drug administration (FDA)-approved protease inhibitor that irreversibly binds the EV-D68 2A protease and inhibits EV-D68 replication . Here, we utilize a murine model of EV-D68 associated AFM to show that early telaprevir treatment improves paralysis outcomes in Swiss Webster (SW) mice. Telaprevir reduces both viral titer and apoptotic activity in both muscles and spinal cords at early disease time points, which results in improved AFM outcomes in infected mice. Following intramuscular inoculation in mice, EV-D68 infection results in a stereotypic pattern of weakness that is reflected by the loss of the innervating motor neuron population, in sequential order, of the ipsilateral (injected) hindlimb, the contralateral hindlimb, and then the forelimbs. Telaprevir treatment preserved motor neuron populations and reduced weakness in limbs beyond the injected hindlimb. The effects of telaprevir were not seen when the treatment was delayed, and toxicity limited doses beyond 35 mg/kg. These studies are a proof of principle, provide the first evidence of benefit of an FDA-approved antiviral drug with which to treat AFM, and emphasize both the need to develop better tolerated therapies that remain efficacious when administered after viral infections and the development of clinical symptoms. Recent outbreaks of EV-D68 in 2014, 2016, and 2018 have resulted in over 600 cases of a paralytic illness that is known as AFM. AFM is a predominantly pediatric disease with no FDA-approved treatment, and many patients show minimal recovery from limb weakness. Telaprevir is an FDA-approved antiviral that has been shown to inhibit EV-D68 . Here, we demonstrate that a telaprevir treatment that is given concurrently with an EV-D68 infection improves AFM outcomes in mice by reducing apoptosis and viral titers at early time points. Telaprevir also protected motor neurons and improved paralysis outcomes in limbs beyond the site of viral inoculation. This study improves understanding of EV-D68 pathogenesis in the mouse model of AFM. This study serves as a proof of principle for the first FDA-approved drug that has been shown to improve AFM outcomes and have efficacy against EV-D68 as well as underlines the importance of the continued development of EV-D68 antivirals.
Topics: Animals; United States; Mice; Enterovirus D, Human; Disease Models, Animal; Paralysis; Central Nervous System Viral Diseases; Enterovirus Infections; Antiviral Agents
PubMed: 37154751
DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00156-23 -
Medical Science Monitor : International... Mar 2020Todd's paralysis, a neurological abnormality characterized by temporary limb weakness or hemiplegia, typically occurs following a seizure, without enduring consequences.... (Review)
Review
Todd's paralysis, a neurological abnormality characterized by temporary limb weakness or hemiplegia, typically occurs following a seizure, without enduring consequences. Since limb weakness or hemiplegia can also be a common symptom of an acute ischemic stroke, it is often difficult to diagnose Todd's paralysis in individuals experiencing an acute ischemic stroke if they do not have a pre-existing history of epilepsy. Given that there is a limited understanding of Todd's paralysis, this review discusses the history, prevalence, clinical manifestations, duration, etiology, and diagnosis of Todd's paralysis. A few factors that may help clinicians distinguish Todd's paralysis from other clinical indications are as follows: (1) Todd's paralysis is commonly observed after partial seizures or generalized tonic-clonic seizures. (2) The incidence of Todd's paralysis is greater if the epilepsy is associated with old age or stroke history. (3) The duration of Todd's paralysis can range from minutes to days, depending on the type of seizure or whether the patient has experienced cortical structural damage. (4) The etiology of Todd's paralysis is associated with cerebral perfusion abnormality after seizures. Further research is needed to explore factors that distinguish Todd's paralysis from other indications that may lead to limb weakness in order to improve the diagnosis of Todd's paralysis.
Topics: Epilepsy; Humans; Paralysis; Seizures; Stroke
PubMed: 32134903
DOI: 10.12659/MSM.920751 -
JAMA Neurology Jul 2015
Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Facial Paralysis; Humans; Male; Ophthalmoplegia; Pons
PubMed: 25962103
DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2015.0255 -
The American Journal of Emergency... Aug 2022Unilateral paralysis is an alarming symptom with broad differential diagnoses, including stroke, Todd's paralysis, myelopathy, and peripheral neuropathy. Hypokalemic... (Review)
Review
Unilateral paralysis is an alarming symptom with broad differential diagnoses, including stroke, Todd's paralysis, myelopathy, and peripheral neuropathy. Hypokalemic paralysis (HP), a neuromuscular disorder associated with muscle dysfunction, is caused by hypokalemia and manifests as symmetric proximal extremity muscle weakness. Unilateral paralysis has rarely been reported in the literature. Once hypokalemia is corrected, HP is usually reversible. Delayed diagnosis and treatment may result in fatal consequences. Here, we report an atypical case of unilateral weakness along with a review of the literature on unilateral HP.
Topics: Humans; Hypokalemia; Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis; Muscle Weakness; Paralysis; Stroke
PubMed: 35527097
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajem.2022.04.042 -
Head & Neck Dec 2021In the last decade, the introduction of continuous intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) monitoring (C-IONM) has enabled the operator to verify the functional... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
In the last decade, the introduction of continuous intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) monitoring (C-IONM) has enabled the operator to verify the functional integrity of the vagus nerve-recurrent laryngeal nerve (VN-RLN) axis in real-time. We aim to present the current evidence on C-IONM utility for thyroid surgery by conducting the first meta-analysis on this technique. A systematic review of literature was conducted by two independent reviewers via Ovid in the Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane reviews databases. The search was limited to human subject research in peer-reviewed articles of all languages published between Jan 1946 and April 2020. Medical subject headings (MeSH) terms utilized were thyroid surgery, thyroidectomies, recurrent laryngeal nerve, vagal nerve, monitor, and stimulation. Thirty-eight papers were identified from Ovid, another six papers were identified by hand-search. A random effect meta-analysis was performed with assessment of heterogeneity using the I value. A total of 23 papers that investigated the use of continuous vagal nerve monitoring during thyroid surgery were identified. The proportion of nerves at risk (NAR) with temporary RLN paralysis postoperation was 2.26% (95% CI: 1.6-2.9, I = 37). The proportion of NAR with permanent RLN palsy postoperation was 0.05% (95% CI: 0.08-0.2, I = 0). In this meta-analysis, there is one case of temporary vagal nerve paralysis secondary to VN electrode dislodgement, and a case of hemodynamic instability manifested in bradycardia and hypotension in the initial phase of surgery shortly after calibration. C-IONM is a safe and effective means by which RLN paralyses in thyroid surgery can be reduced.
Topics: Humans; Monitoring, Intraoperative; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; Thyroidectomy; Vocal Cord Paralysis
PubMed: 34342380
DOI: 10.1002/hed.26828 -
The American Journal of Cardiology Nov 2016Severe hypokalemia in the absence of other electrolyte abnormalities, the result of diarrhea, caused striking electrocardiographic changes, generalized weakness, flaccid...
Severe hypokalemia in the absence of other electrolyte abnormalities, the result of diarrhea, caused striking electrocardiographic changes, generalized weakness, flaccid paralysis of the lower extremities, and biochemical evidence of mild skeletal and cardiac rhabdomyolysis in a 33-year-old man. Repletion of potassium reversed all abnormalities in 24 hours.
Topics: Adult; Diagnosis, Differential; Electrocardiography; Humans; Hypokalemia; Lower Extremity; Male; Paralysis; Potassium; Weight Lifting
PubMed: 27634026
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2016.08.030 -
The British Journal of Oral &... Dec 2015Unilateral facial paralysis is a common condition: 1 in every 60 people will experience Bell's palsy during the course of their life, and the residual deficits are... (Review)
Review
Unilateral facial paralysis is a common condition: 1 in every 60 people will experience Bell's palsy during the course of their life, and the residual deficits are particularly problematic for those who do not spontaneously recover the function of the facial nerve. Functionally the most relevant defect is lack of corneal lubrication because of inability to close the eyelid or blink. Morphologically, this presents as obvious ptosis caused by absence of the muscle tone at rest. "Restitutio ad integrum" of a paralysed face by operation is currently impossible, but realistic targets are improvement of facial symmetry and partial recovery of closure of the eyelids and smiling. Movements of the forehead and lower lip tend to be neglected targets for intervention because they are of less functional importance. Recent paralyses are those in which the mimetic musculature may be reactivated by provision of neural input, and the time limit is generally 18-24 months. Electromyography helps to detect it by assessing the presence of muscular fibrillations. If those are not detectable paralyses are considered to be long-standing, and new musculature must be transferred into the face, generally by transplantation of a muscular free flap or of the temporalis muscle in several different ways. When the facial nerve has been severed by trauma or during operation, immediate reconstruction must be considered and the simplest and most efficient is direct neurorrhaphy. If an appreciable part of the nerve is missing and the proximal and distal nerve stumps do not meet, an interpositional nerve graft must be placed to guarantee neural continuity. When reconstruction of the total extracranial branch of the facial nerve is required, the thoracodorsal nerve has proved to be highly effective. In case immediate reconstruction cannot be accomplished and the trunk of the facial nerve is not available as a donor nerve, mimetic musculature may be reactivated by provision of new neural input. Strong inputs from the masseteric or hypoglossus nerves may be mixed with those that arise from branches of the contralateral facial nerve after 2 cross-face nerve grafts have been placed, and good functional recovery is generally obtained. Several ancillary procedures are required to improve the end results in most cases.
Topics: Facial Muscles; Facial Nerve; Facial Paralysis; Humans; Nerve Transfer; Plastic Surgery Procedures
PubMed: 26188934
DOI: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2015.06.023 -
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery... Jan 2015Paralysis of the femoral nerve secondary to compression by a hematoma of the iliopsoas is rarely post-traumatic. The acute surgical removal of hematoma seems the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
Paralysis of the femoral nerve secondary to compression by a hematoma of the iliopsoas is rarely post-traumatic. The acute surgical removal of hematoma seems the treatment of choice. The main objective of this systematic review was to determine the optimal delay between the trauma and surgery, to obtain a total functional recovery.
METHODS
A search was performed via PubMed. The inclusion criteria were the studies in English language, reporting the results of the treatment of femoral nerve palsy secondary to compression by a post-traumatic hematoma of the iliopsoas. The primary evaluation criterion was the clinical recovery of femoral nerve function. The secondary criteria were the delay of recovery and the delay between the trauma and surgery.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies were identified, only case reports. Sixteen patients were included, mean age 16.6 ± 3.4 years, 11 men and 5 women. The injury was associated with the sports practice in 12/16 (75 %) cases. Neurological symptoms developed about 5 days after injury. Femoral palsy was complete in 8 patients and partial in 8 patients. The mean delay between the injury and the diagnosis was 7.3 (2-25) days in conservative group and 17.8 (4-45) days in surgical group. Seven patients were managed conservatively, 6 partial paralysis and 1 total paralysis, and 9 surgically, 7 total paralysis and 2 partial paralysis. The recovery was total in 13/14 patients (seven surgical treatment and six conservative management) and partial in one patient who was managed conservatively despite a total paralysis. The delay of total recovery varied from 1 month to 6 weeks in conservative group and 3 months to 2 years in surgical group.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review seems to indicate that whatever the delay, surgery is necessary in case of complete paralysis of the femoral nerve secondary to compression from a post-traumatic hematoma of the iliopsoas muscle.
Topics: Female; Femoral Neuropathy; Hematoma; Humans; Male; Nerve Compression Syndromes; Paralysis; Psoas Muscles; Quadriceps Muscle; Recovery of Function; Time Factors; Wounds and Injuries
PubMed: 23996110
DOI: 10.1007/s00590-013-1305-z -
Toxins Apr 2017Antivenom therapy is currently the standard practice for treating neuromuscular dysfunction in snake envenoming. We reviewed the clinical and experimental evidence-base... (Review)
Review
Antivenom therapy is currently the standard practice for treating neuromuscular dysfunction in snake envenoming. We reviewed the clinical and experimental evidence-base for the efficacy and effectiveness of antivenom in snakebite neurotoxicity. The main site of snake neurotoxins is the neuromuscular junction, and the majority are either: (1) pre-synaptic neurotoxins irreversibly damaging the presynaptic terminal; or (2) post-synaptic neurotoxins that bind to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Pre-clinical tests of antivenom efficacy for neurotoxicity include rodent lethality tests, which are problematic, and in vitro pharmacological tests such as nerve-muscle preparation studies, that appear to provide more clinically meaningful information. We searched MEDLINE (from 1946) and EMBASE (from 1947) until March 2017 for clinical studies. The search yielded no randomised placebo-controlled trials of antivenom for neuromuscular dysfunction. There were several randomised and non-randomised comparative trials that compared two or more doses of the same or different antivenom, and numerous cohort studies and case reports. The majority of studies available had deficiencies including poor case definition, poor study design, small sample size or no objective measures of paralysis. A number of studies demonstrated the efficacy of antivenom in human envenoming by clearing circulating venom. Studies of snakes with primarily pre-synaptic neurotoxins, such as kraits ( spp.) and taipans ( spp.) suggest that antivenom does not reverse established neurotoxicity, but early administration may be associated with decreased severity or prevent neurotoxicity. Small studies of snakes with mainly post-synaptic neurotoxins, including some cobra species ( spp.), provide preliminary evidence that neurotoxicity may be reversed with antivenom, but placebo controlled studies with objective outcome measures are required to confirm this.
Topics: Animals; Antivenins; Humans; Neuromuscular Junction; Neurotoxins; Paralysis; Snake Bites; Snake Venoms
PubMed: 28422078
DOI: 10.3390/toxins9040143