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Cureus Jul 2023Chronic pain is a very common problem in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) as it affects 80% of these patients, which negatively affects their quality of life.... (Review)
Review
Chronic pain is a very common problem in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) as it affects 80% of these patients, which negatively affects their quality of life. Despite many advantages that exist in the management of any type of pain (neuropathic, nociceptive, mixed) in these patients, there is no cure, and the analgesic effect of some treatments is inadequate. This study aims to conduct an evidence-based systematic review regarding the various interventions used for the management of pain after SCI. The PubMed, Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and Cochrane Library databases were searched from 1969 to 2023. The risk of bias was assessed using the PEDro scoring system. A total of 57 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. Among the different interventions at present, 18 studies examined the role of oral medications, 11 studies examined the role of minimally invasive methods (injection and infusion), 16 studies investigated physiotherapy and alternative treatments, and 12 studies examined the role of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) in the management of pain in patients after SCI. Gabapentin and pregabalin are very effective in managing chronic neuropathic pain after SCI, and pregabalin also seems to reduce anxiety and sleep disturbances in the patients. It is noteworthy that lamotrigine, valproate, and carbamazepine do not have an analgesic effect, but mirogabalin is a novel and promising drug. Antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors) did not reduce the pain of the patients, although some studies showed an efficacy of amitriptyline especially in depressed patients and tramadol should be considered short-term with caution. Also, tDCS and rTMS reduced pain. Moreover, botulinum toxin type A, lidocaine, ketamine, and intrathecal baclofen significantly reduced pain intensity, although the sample of the studies was small. Physiotherapy and alternative treatments seem to relieve pain, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation had the greatest reduction of pain intensity. In conclusion, several pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical methods exist, which can reduce pain in patients after SCI. The type of intervention can be considered by the physician depending on the patients' preference, age, medical history, type of pain, and associated symptoms. However, more studies with greater samples and with better methodological quality should be conducted.
PubMed: 37644939
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.42657 -
Annals of Medicine Dec 2023The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the postoperative clinical outcomes of elderly patients who underwent the direct anterior approach (DAA) versus those... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Direct anterior approach versus posterolateral approach for total hip arthroplasty in the treatment of femoral neck fractures in elderly patients: a meta-analysis and systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the postoperative clinical outcomes of elderly patients who underwent the direct anterior approach (DAA) versus those who received posterolateral approach (PLA) for total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the treatment of femoral neck fractures.
METHODS
An electronic search was conducted in databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and CNKI from their inception to January 2022. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the effect of DAA compared to PLA for the management of total hip arthroplasty (THA) in elderly patients using the dichotomous or continuous method with a random or fixed-effect model.
RESULTS
15 studies involving 1284 patients were included; 640 patients receiving DAA and 644 patients receiving PLA. DAA had a longer surgery duration than PLA [WMD = 9.41, 95% CI (4.64, 14.19), =95.5%]; The amount of postoperative drainage [WMD= -3.88, 95% CI (-5.59, -2.17), =98.3%], length of incision [WMD= -3.88, 95% CI (-5.59, -2.17), =98.3%], blood loss [WMD= -3.88, 95% CI (-5.59, -2.17), =98.3%], hospitalization time [WMD= -3.88, 95% CI (-5.59, -2.17), =98.3%], and postoperative bedtime [WMD = -5.56,95% CI (-7.11, -4.01), =99.0%], were similar between the two groups ( < 0.05). The HHS at 1 month, 12 months postoperatively [WMD = 7.58, 95%CI (5.70,9.46), =89.5%; WMD= 2.56, 95%CI 0.11,5.00, =93.2%] and the incidence of LFCN in patients were higher in the DAA group (OR = 2.91, 95% CI 1.26 to 6.71, =0.0%), while fewer patients in the DAA group suffered from postoperative dislocation than in the PLA group (OR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.60, =0.0%). No significant difference was observed in HHS at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively, VAS postoperatively at each time point, acetabular anteversion angle, acetabular abduction angle, wound infection, deep vein thrombosis, and intraoperative fracture ( > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
DAA offers a quicker functional recovery and is less invasive with an earlier return to daily activities in older THA patients than PLA. However, DAA was found to be associated with a high incidence of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury and a low incidence of postoperative dislocation.Key messagesThe present study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes in elderly patients receiving DAA versus PLA for THA in the treatment of femoral neck fractures by mate-analysis.DAA offers a quicker functional recovery and is less invasive with an earlier return to daily activities in older THA patients. No significant difference was observed between the colchicine and comparators in terms of the need for HHS at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively, VAS postoperatively, acetabular anteversion angle, acetabular abduction angle, and complications (wound infection, deep vein thrombosis, and intraoperative fracture).
Topics: Aged; Humans; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Femoral Neck Fractures; Treatment Outcome; Venous Thrombosis
PubMed: 37000019
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2023.2193424 -
BioMed Research International 2023This is the first systematic review of the relationship between humeral shaft fractures and radial nerve palsy in children. The present comprehensive review is aimed at... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
This is the first systematic review of the relationship between humeral shaft fractures and radial nerve palsy in children. The present comprehensive review is aimed at identifying important clinical findings between humeral diaphysis fractures and radial nerve injuries and assessing the effects of treatment.
METHODS
We searched electronic bibliographic databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge, until March 2022. This systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and the patients, interventions, comparisons, outcomes guidelines.
RESULTS
We identified 23 original papers, of which 10 were eligible for further analysis. Cases of 32 young patients with radial nerve palsy were identified and analyzed. The prevalence of radial nerve palsy was 4.34% (eight cases out of 184 patients with humeral shaft fractures). The radial nerve was most often associated with a simple transverse fracture (12A3, 17 cases (65.4%)).
CONCLUSIONS
Radial nerve injury in humeral shaft fractures in children is rare, with a frequency of 4.34%. We highly recommend early surgical nerve exploration with transverse fractures in the distal third segment combined with primary radial palsy. Furthermore, we recommend making thoughtful decisions regarding early nerve exploration in the Holstein-Lewis fractures. In addition, consideration of early surgical nerve exploration in fractures resulting from high-energy trauma and open fractures despite their morphology is recommended.
Topics: Child; Humans; Radial Neuropathy; Diaphyses; Radial Nerve; Humerus; Humeral Fractures; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 38075371
DOI: 10.1155/2023/3974604 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Sep 2023Spheno-orbital meningiomas (SOMs) are rare tumors arising from the meninges surrounding the sphenoid bone and orbital structures. Surgical resection is the primary... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Spheno-orbital meningiomas (SOMs) are rare tumors arising from the meninges surrounding the sphenoid bone and orbital structures. Surgical resection is the primary treatment approach for SOMs. Several surgical approaches have been described during the decades, including microsurgical transcranial (MTAs), endoscopic endonasal (EEAs), endoscopic transorbital (ETOAs), and combined approaches, and the choice of surgical approach remains a topic of debate.
PURPOSE
This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to compare the clinical and surgical outcomes of different surgical approaches used for the treatment of SOMs, discussing surgical techniques, outcomes, and factors influencing surgical decision making.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature review of the databases PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Ovid EMBASE was conducted for articles published on the role of surgery for the treatment of SOMs until 2023. The systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines. Meta-analysis was performed to estimate pooled event rates and assess heterogeneity. Fixed- and random-effects were used to assess 95% confidential intervals (CIs) of presenting symptoms, outcomes, and complications.
RESULTS
A total of 59 studies comprising 1903 patients were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Gross total resection (GTR) rates ranged from 23.5% for ETOAs to 59.8% for MTAs. Overall recurrence rate after surgery was 20.7%. Progression-free survival (PFS) rates at 5 and 10 years were 75.5% and 49.1%, respectively. Visual acuity and proptosis improvement rates were 57.5% and 79.3%, respectively. Postoperative cranial nerve (CN) focal deficits were observed in 20.6% of cases. The overall cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) leak rate was 3.9%, and other complications occurred in 13.9% of cases. MTAs showed the highest GTR rates (59.8%, 95%CI = 49.5-70.2%; = 0.001) but were associated with increased CN deficits (21.0%, 95%CI = 14.5-27.6%). ETOAs had the lowest GTR rates (23.5%, 95%CI = 0.0-52.5%; = 0.001), while combined ETOA and EEA had the highest CSF leak rates (20.3%, 95%CI = 0.0-46.7%; = 0.551). ETOAs were associated with better proptosis improvement (79.4%, 95%CI = 57.3-100%; = 0.002), while anatomical class I lesions were associated with better visual acuity (71.5%, 95%CI = 63.7-79.4; = 0.003) and proptosis (60.1%, 95%CI = 38.0-82.2; = 0.001) recovery. No significant differences were found in PFS rates between surgical approaches.
CONCLUSION
Surgical treatment of SOMs aims to preserve visual function and improve proptosis. Different surgical approaches offer varying rates of GTR, complications, and functional outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach involving a skull base team is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
PubMed: 37762781
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12185840 -
Journal of Neurology Dec 2023Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of both upper and lower motoneurons, leading to motor and... (Review)
Review
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the degeneration of both upper and lower motoneurons, leading to motor and non-motor symptoms. Recent evidence suggests that ALS is indeed a multisystem disorder, associated with cognitive impairment, dysautonomia, pain and fatigue, excess of secretions, and sensory symptoms. To evaluate whether sensory neuropathy could broaden its spectrum, we systematically reviewed its presence and characteristics in ALS, extracting data on epidemiological, clinical, neurophysiological, neuropathological, and genetic features. Sensory neuropathy can be found in up to 20% of ALS patients, affecting both large and small fibers, although there is a great heterogeneity related to different techniques used for its detection (electromyography vs skin biopsy vs nerve biopsy). Moreover, the association between CIDP-like neuropathy and ALS needs to be better explored, although it could be interpreted as part of the neuroinflammatory process in the latter disease. Sensory neuropathy in ALS may be associated with a spinal onset and might be more frequent in SOD1 patients. Moreover, it seems mutually exclusive with cognitive impairment. No associations with sex and other genetic mutation were observed. All these data in the literature reveal the importance of actively looking for sensory neuropathy in ALS patients, and suggest including sensory neuropathy among ALS non-motor features, as it may explain sensory symptoms frequently reported throughout the course of the disease. Its early identification could help avoid diagnostic delays and improve patients' treatment and quality of life.
Topics: Humans; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Quality of Life; Motor Neurons; Electromyography
PubMed: 37610446
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11954-1 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... Aug 2023Spinal metastasis is a common secondary malignant tumor of the bone, often resulting in spinal cord and nerve root compression, leading to obvious pain and related...
Spinal metastasis is a common secondary malignant tumor of the bone, often resulting in spinal cord and nerve root compression, leading to obvious pain and related compression symptoms. This condition has a high incidence and mortality rate. The treatment approach for most patients with spinal metastasis is primarily palliative. Consultation with a multidisciplinary team is widely accepted as a comprehensive treatment approach for patients with spinal metastases. With advancements in research and technology, the evaluation and treatment of spinal metastatic cancer are continuously evolving. This study provides an overview of surgical treatment, minimally invasive treatment, and radiotherapy for spinal metastatic cancer and also analyzes the clinical effects, advantages, and current limitations associated with various treatment approaches.
Topics: Humans; Spinal Neoplasms; Quality of Life; Pain; Palliative Care; Spinal Cord; Spinal Cord Compression
PubMed: 37537684
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-03975-3 -
Annals of Anatomy = Anatomischer... Jun 2024The aim of this systematic review is to study the subdiaphragmatic anatomy of the phrenic nerve. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this systematic review is to study the subdiaphragmatic anatomy of the phrenic nerve.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A computerised systematic search of the Web of Science database was conducted. The key terms used were phrenic nerve, subdiaphragmat*, esophag*, liver, stomach, pancre*, duoden*, intestin*, bowel, gangli*, biliar*, Oddi, gallbladder, peritone*, spleen, splenic, hepat*, Glisson, falciform, coronary ligament, kidney, suprarenal, and adrenal. The 'cited-by' articles were also reviewed to ensure that all appropriate studies were included.
RESULTS
A total of one thousand three hundred and thirty articles were found, of which eighteen met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Quality Appraisal for Cadaveric Studies scale revealed substantial to excellent methodological quality of human studies, while a modified version of the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation Risk of Bias Tool denoted poor methodological quality of animal studies. According to human studies, phrenic supply has been demonstrated for the gastro-esophageal junction, stomach, celiac ganglia, liver and its coronary ligament, inferior vena cava, gallbladder and adrenal glands, with half of the human samples studied presenting phrenic nerve connections with any subdiaphragmatic structure.
CONCLUSIONS
This review provides the first systematic evidence of subdiaphragmatic phrenic nerve supply and connections. This is of interest to professionals who care for people suffering from neck and shoulder pain, as well as patients with peridiaphragmatic disorders or hiccups. However, there are controversies about the autonomic or sensory nature of this supply.
Topics: Phrenic Nerve; Humans; Diaphragm; Animals
PubMed: 38692333
DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2024.152269 -
International Journal of Molecular... Feb 2024A spinal cord injury (SCI) causes changes in brain structure and brain function due to the direct effects of nerve damage, secondary mechanisms, and long-term effects of... (Review)
Review
A spinal cord injury (SCI) causes changes in brain structure and brain function due to the direct effects of nerve damage, secondary mechanisms, and long-term effects of the injury, such as paralysis and neuropathic pain (NP). Recovery takes place over weeks to months, which is a time frame well beyond the duration of spinal shock and is the phase in which the spinal cord remains unstimulated below the level of injury and is associated with adaptations occurring throughout the nervous system, often referred to as neuronal plasticity. Such changes occur at different anatomical sites and also at different physiological and molecular biological levels. This review aims to investigate brain plasticity in patients with SCIs and its influence on the rehabilitation process. Studies were identified from an online search of the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Studies published between 2013 and 2023 were selected. This review has been registered on OSF under (n) 9QP45. We found that neuroplasticity can affect the sensory-motor network, and different protocols or rehabilitation interventions can activate this process in different ways. Exercise rehabilitation training in humans with SCIs can elicit white matter plasticity in the form of increased myelin water content. This review has demonstrated that SCI patients may experience plastic changes either spontaneously or as a result of specific neurorehabilitation training, which may lead to positive outcomes in functional recovery. Clinical and experimental evidence convincingly displays that plasticity occurs in the adult CNS through a variety of events following traumatic or non-traumatic SCI. Furthermore, efficacy-based, pharmacological, and genetic approaches, alone or in combination, are increasingly effective in promoting plasticity.
Topics: Humans; Spinal Cord Injuries; Spinal Cord; Brain; Neuronal Plasticity; Recovery of Function
PubMed: 38396902
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042224 -
Biomedical Engineering Online Nov 2023The contouring of organs at risk (OARs) in head and neck cancer radiation treatment planning is a crucial, yet repetitive and time-consuming process. Recent studies have... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
The contouring of organs at risk (OARs) in head and neck cancer radiation treatment planning is a crucial, yet repetitive and time-consuming process. Recent studies have applied deep learning (DL) algorithms to automatically contour head and neck OARs. This study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to summarize and analyze the performance of DL algorithms in contouring head and neck OARs. The objective is to assess the advantages and limitations of DL algorithms in contour planning of head and neck OARs.
METHODS
This study conducted a literature search of Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases, to include studies related to DL contouring head and neck OARs, and the dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of four categories of OARs from the results of each study are selected as effect sizes for meta-analysis. Furthermore, this study conducted a subgroup analysis of OARs characterized by image modality and image type.
RESULTS
149 articles were retrieved, and 22 studies were included in the meta-analysis after excluding duplicate literature, primary screening, and re-screening. The combined effect sizes of DSC for brainstem, spinal cord, mandible, left eye, right eye, left optic nerve, right optic nerve, optic chiasm, left parotid, right parotid, left submandibular, and right submandibular are 0.87, 0.83, 0.92, 0.90, 0.90, 0.71, 0.74, 0.62, 0.85, 0.85, 0.82, and 0.82, respectively. For subgroup analysis, the combined effect sizes for segmentation of the brainstem, mandible, left optic nerve, and left parotid gland using CT and MRI images are 0.86/0.92, 0.92/0.90, 0.71/0.73, and 0.84/0.87, respectively. Pooled effect sizes using 2D and 3D images of the brainstem, mandible, left optic nerve, and left parotid gland for contouring are 0.88/0.87, 0.92/0.92, 0.75/0.71 and 0.87/0.85.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of automated contouring technology based on DL algorithms is an essential tool for contouring head and neck OARs, achieving high accuracy, reducing the workload of clinical radiation oncologists, and providing individualized, standardized, and refined treatment plans for implementing "precision radiotherapy". Improving DL performance requires the construction of high-quality data sets and enhancing algorithm optimization and innovation.
Topics: Humans; Deep Learning; Organs at Risk; Head; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Algorithms; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
PubMed: 37915046
DOI: 10.1186/s12938-023-01159-y -
Finite element modeling of the human cervical spinal cord and its applications: A systematic review.North American Spine Society Journal Sep 2023Finite element modeling (FEM) is an established tool to analyze the biomechanics of complex systems. Advances in computational techniques have led to the increasing use... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND CONTEXT
Finite element modeling (FEM) is an established tool to analyze the biomechanics of complex systems. Advances in computational techniques have led to the increasing use of spinal cord FEMs to study cervical spinal cord pathology. There is considerable variability in the creation of cervical spinal cord FEMs and to date there has been no systematic review of the technique. The aim of this study was to review the uses, techniques, limitations, and applications of FEMs of the human cervical spinal cord.
METHODS
A literature search was performed through PubMed and Scopus using the words finite element analysis, spinal cord, and biomechanics. Studies were selected based on the following inclusion criteria: (1) use of human spinal cord modeling at the cervical level; (2) model the cervical spinal cord with or without the osteoligamentous spine; and (3) the study should describe an application of the spinal cord FEM.
RESULTS
Our search resulted in 369 total publications, 49 underwent reviews of the abstract and full text, and 23 were included in the study. Spinal cord FEMs are used to study spinal cord injury and trauma, pathologic processes, and spine surgery. Considerable variation exists in the derivation of spinal cord geometries, mathematical models, and material properties. Less than 50% of the FEMs incorporate the dura mater, cerebrospinal fluid, nerve roots, and denticulate ligaments. Von Mises stress, and strain of the spinal cord are the most common outputs studied. FEM offers the opportunity for dynamic simulation, but this has been used in only four studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Spinal cord FEM provides unique insight into the stress and strain of the cervical spinal cord in various pathological conditions and allows for the simulation of surgical procedures. Standardization of modeling parameters, anatomical structures and inclusion of patient-specific data are necessary to improve the clinical translation.
PubMed: 37636342
DOI: 10.1016/j.xnsj.2023.100246