Caudal Nerve Research Articles

Revisiting the anatomy of the pectoral nerves and nerve loops of the brachial plexus in the goat (Capra hircus)

BackgroundThe anatomy of the pectoral nerves and the two nerve loops on the course of the axillary artery was revisited to complement current general descriptions as well as to argue whether the nerves contributing to the formation of the pectoral loop are the cranial pectoral nerves. Besides, the positional relationship between the scalene muscles and the nerve roots of the brachial plexus, which contribute to the nerves aimed in this study, was also examined at the same time as the dissection. MethodsTwenty brachial plexuses of 10 domestic adult goats (8 females and 2 males) were examined using gross dissection in this study. ResultsIn many dissections (95 %), the last bundle of scalenus ventralis muscle was found to pass between the roots of C7 and C8, dividing the brachial plexus into the cranial (ventral) and caudal (dorsal) parts. Two pectoral nerves were noted to contribute to the formation of the first nerve loop around the axillary artery. The first pectoral nerve arose predominantly from the ventral branches of C6 and C7 in company with the n. musculocutaneus, while the second pectoral nerve arose directly from C8 in 70 % of the dissections or as the first branch of the n. thoracicus lateralis (C8, T1) in the remaining 30 %. After the nerve loop, the second pectoral nerve branched off to innervate the superficial surface of the m. pectoralis profundus toward its insertion. The m. subclavius was found to receive its innervation from several sources, including the ventral branches of the brachial plexus. Interestingly, in 4 of the 14 dissections a communication between the n. subclavius and the n. phrenicus heretofore not found in the animal anatomy literature was found. In 16 of the 20 dissections (60 %), the ramus muscularis proximalis of the n. musculocutaneus received the communicating branch(s) from the n. medianus at the site of the second nerve loop, ansa axillaris. ConclusionThe second pectoral nerve contributing to the pectoral loop would be better described as the caudal pectoral nerve rather than the cranial pectoral nerve. Besides the evolutionary perspectives, understanding the findings of this study would be helpful for teaching veterinary anatomy.

Evaluation of Peripheral Neuropathy in Rat Models of Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes Mellitus.

The dynamics of nephropathy development in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus, caused by a high-fat diet and the streptozotocin administration (25 mg/kg), and metabolic syndrome, caused by addition of 20% fructose solution to the diet, was evaluated during the experiment. Models with moderate severity of metabolic changes without significant changes in body weight were obtained after 24 weeks. To study neuropathy severity, the method of electroneuromyography was used; the velocities of motor and sensory excitation propagation along the caudal nerve fibers were measured. In modeled diabetes mellitus against the background of hyperglycemia, a marked decrease in motor and sensory propagation rates was observed, and an increase in the response durations was noted from week 12 to week 24, indicating pronounced neuropathy. In the fructose model, the motor response duration increased from week 12, which possibly indicates the development of peripheral neuropathy.

Innervation of the muscles of the pelvic limb of the nutria (Myocastor coypus) by nerves originating from the lumbosacral plexus

Abstract Knowledge about the innervation of the pelvic limb is crucial in veterinary sciences, particularly in anesthesiology, diagnostics, and veterinary surgery, where precise knowledge of the nervous system enables effective treatment and interventions. With the growing interest of veterinarians in studies of the rodent, expanding knowledge of the neuroanatomy of these animals is key to improving veterinary care and treatment efficacy. The aim of our study was to analyze the innervation of the pelvic limb muscles in the nutria (Myocastor coypus). Our research demonstrated that these muscles are innervated by motor fibers from nerves such as the femoral nerve, the obturator nerve, the sciatic nerve, and the cranial and caudal gluteal nerves. We also determined the origin of these nerves, indicating that they stem from the ventral roots of the spinal nerves from L3 to S1, knowing that the nutria has six lumbar vertebrae. Conclusions from such analyses can contribute to a deeper understanding of the evolutionary anatomy of the nervous system in various mammal groups and the development of more precise diagnostic and therapeutic methods in veterinary medicine.

Comparison of Post-Operative Analgesia of Caudal versus Dorsal Penile Nerve Blocks for Pediatric Patients Undergoing Hypospadias Repair

Abstract Background Hypospadias is the second most common congenital disorder in males after cryptorchidism, but it is the most common penile congenital malformation. It is an abnormality of anterior urethral and penile development in which the urethral opening is ectopically located on the ventral aspect of the penis proximal to the tip of the glans penis, which, in this condition, is splayed open. The urethral opening may be located as far down as in the scrotum or perineum. The penis is more likely to have associated ventral shortening and curvature, called chordee, with more proximal urethral defects. Aim of the Work The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of penile block versus caudal block using bupivacaine on the quality of analgesia after hypospadias repair in pediatrics. Methodology This prospective randomized comparative clinical study was conducted in Ain Shams University Hospitals; Pediatric Surgery Unit. It included 30 male patient aged (1–8) years, ASA I or II patients undergoing hypospadias (distal penile and mid penile) repair. They were divided into two groups: Group P: Penile block (n = 15) received dorsal penile nerve block by using the subpubic approach technique. Group C: Caudal block (n = 15) received caudal epidural block using a 22-G needle in the lateral decubitus position. Results There was statistically high significant difference between the two groups in postoperative MAP and HR (p value <0.001) but no statistically significant difference between them in Spo2. FLACC pain scores were significantly lower in group C compared with group P at PACU and 3 hours postoperative (p value <0.001) but no statistically significant difference between them at 6, 9 and 12 hours postoperative. Also, The time for first rescue analgesia was significantly longer in caudal group compared with penile group (P < 0.001) and the total analgesia consumption was also significantly lower (P < 0.001) in group C compared with group P. Postoperative time of ambulation was significantly lower (P < 0.001) in group P compared with group C. Conclusion The current study revealed that Caudal block provided significantly prolonged postoperative analgesia, reduced the postoperative analgesic requirements and prolonged time of ambulation as compared with Penile block in pediatric patients undergoing hypospadias repair.

Analgesic Effect of Caudal and Abdominal Nerve Blocks among Children Undergoing Inguinal Surgeries: An Original Research.

Pediatric inguinal surgeries sometimes cause considerable post-operative pain that requires effective analgesics. Caudal and abdominal nerve blocks may help this population with pain. It is uncertain how successful they are compared. A randomized controlled trial included 70 pediatric inguinal surgery patients. An abdominal (ANB) or caudal nerve block (CNB) was randomly assigned to participants in addition to usual analgesic treatment. Post-operative pain was measured at various times using a standardized scale. The initial rescue analgesia time and dose were recorded. Statistics were used to compare CNB and ANB results. The CNB and ANB groups were demographically similar. At every time point, the two groups' analgesic usage and post-operative pain were similar. No serious adverse events occurred in either group. CNB and ANB provide equivalent analgesia for pediatric inguinal surgeries. Both approaches alleviate pain well and have similar post-operative effects. Individual nerve block approaches must be chosen based on patient features and clinical considerations. More research is needed to determine each procedure's long-term safety and results.

An unusual relationship between the axillary artery and brachial plexus in a cross-breed dog cadaver: a proposal for revising the terminology for nerve loops

In the left axilla of a formalin-embalmed adult female cross-breed dog, an unusual course of the axillary artery in relation to the brachial plexus was noted. A part of the axillary artery after the origin of the subscapular artery coursed through the loop formed by the contributions of the caudal pectoral and lateral thoracic nerves and then between the median and ulnar nerves. Thus, the common trunk for the latter two nerves was missing. Instead, in the proximal brachium, they communicated with each other in both directions. A communicating branch between the cranial and caudal pectoral nerves forming a nerve loop, ansa pectoralis lacked the axillary artery and was instead traversed by the subscapular artery. This is a variation in the relationship between the axillary artery and brachial plexus in the domestic dog and has not been reported in the literature yet. The axillary artery entrapped by the contributions of the caudal and lateral thoracic nerves may be considered as a risk factor for the neuroarterial compressions with non-specific signs and should be taken into account both in surgery and imaging.

Translation of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neurotoxicity from mice to patients: the importance of model selection.

Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (PIPN) is a potentially dose-limiting side effect in anticancer chemotherapy. Several animal models of PIPN exist, but their results are sometimes difficult to be translated into the clinical setting. We compared 2 widely used PIPN models characterized by marked differences in their methodologies. Female C57BL/6JOlaHsd mice were used, and they received only paclitaxel vehicle (n = 38) or paclitaxel via intravenous injection (n = 19, 70 mg/kg) once a week for 4 weeks (Study 1) or intraperitoneally (n = 19, 10 mg/kg) every 2 days for 7 times (Study 2). At the end of treatment and in the follow-up, mice underwent behavioral and neurophysiological assessments of PIPN. At the same time points, some mice were killed and dorsal root ganglia, skin, and sciatic and caudal nerve samples underwent pathological examination. Serum neurofilament light levels were also measured. The differences in the neurotoxicity parameters were analyzed using a nonparametric Mann-Whitney test, with significance level set at P < 0.05. Study 1 showed significant and consistent behavioral, neurophysiological, pathological, and serological changes induced by paclitaxel administration at the end of treatment, and most of these changes were still evident in the follow-up period. By contrast, study 2 evidenced only a transient small fiber neuropathy, associated with neuropathic pain. Our comparative study clearly distinguished a PIPN model recapitulating all the clinical features of the human condition and a model showing only small fiber neuropathy with neuropathic pain induced by paclitaxel.

Rat ventral caudal nerve as a model for long distance regeneration

In the rat, tail nerves are the longest peripheral nerves in their body. We suggest that ventral caudal nerve (VCN) may serve as a model for studying nerve injury and long distance regeneration. For this purpose, we have studied the anatomy and morphometry of the VCN in control animals. 10 cm long segment of the VCN was removed, and transversal sections were collected at 10 mm distances. The myelinated axons were counted, and the series of data were used to characterize the craniocaudal tapering of the nerve. In a separate group of animals, retrograde tracing with Fluorogold was used to localize and quantitate the spinal neurons projecting their axons into the VCN. After complete nerve transection, the time course of histopathological changes in the distal segment was studied. The primary goal was to define the time needed for axonal disintegration. In later periods, axonal debris removal and rearrangement of tissue elements was documented. After compression injury (axonotmesis), Wallerian degeneration was followed by spontaneous regeneration of axons. We show that the growing axons will span the 10 cm distance within 4–8 weeks. After different survival periods, the numbers of regenerating axons were counted at 10 mm distances. These data were used to characterize the dynamics of axonal regeneration during 4 months’ survival period. In the present study we show that axonal regeneration across 10 cm distance can be studied and quantitatively analyzed in a small laboratory animal.

Analgesic efficacy of Ultrasound-Guided Caudal Block versus Pudendal Nerve Block in BRAKA - I Repair for Paediatric Hypospadias

Objective: To compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided caudal versus pudendal nerve block analgesia in paediatric patients undergoing hypospadias. Study Design: Quasi-experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan from Mar to Sep 2022. Methodology: Paediatric patients with ages ranging from 4-12 years with ASA Grade I/II planned for hypospadias repair were included. Sixty-eight patients were divided into Group-C (caudal block) and Group-P (pudendal nerve block), after randomization. Group-C patients received ultrasound-guided caudal block while pudendal nerve blockade was performed under ultrasound guidance in Group- P. Demographic variables, requirement of rescue analgesics, CHEOPS scoring at 0, 1, 2,6 and 12 hours, and complications in the intraoperative period were recorded. Results: Pain scores at the 6th and 12th hour were significantly reduced in Group-P compared to Group-C. Requirement of analgesia was lesser in Group P 01(2.9%) compared to 11(32.3%) in Group C with a p-value of 0.006. Out of 34 patients in Group-C 07(20.6%), patients encountered complications compared to Group-P, which had no complications. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve block is superior to caudal block in providing adequate perioperative analgesia with fewer complications and decreased requirement of additional analgesic supplements.

Effect of age on metabolomic changes in a model of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neurotoxicity.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is one of the most common dose-limiting side effects of paclitaxel (PTX) treatment. Many age-related changes have been hypothesized to underlie susceptibility to damage or impaired regeneration/repair after nerve injury. The results of these studies, however, are inconclusive and other potential biomarkers of nerve impairment need to be investigated. Twenty-four young (2 months) and 24 adult (9 months) Wistar male rats were randomized to either PTX treatment (10 mg/kg i.v. once/week for 4 weeks) or vehicle administration. Neurophysiological and behavioral tests were performed at baseline, after 4 weeks of treatment and 2-week follow-up. Skin biopsies and nerve specimens collected from sacrificed animals were examined for intraepidermal nerve fiber (IENF) density assessment and nerve morphology/morphometry. Blood and liver samples were collected for targeted metabolomics analysis. At the end of treatment, the neurophysiological studies revealed a reduction in sensory nerve action potential amplitude (p < .05) in the caudal nerve of young PTX-animals, and in both the digital and caudal nerve of adult PTX-animals (p < .05). A significant decrease in the mechanical threshold was observed only in young PTX-animals (p < .001), but not in adult PTX-ones. Nevertheless, both young and adult PTX-rats had reduced IENF density (p < .0001), which persisted at the end of follow-up period. Targeted metabolomics analysis showed significant differences in the plasma metabolite profiles between PTX-animals developing peripheral neuropathy and age-matched controls, with triglycerides, diglycerides, acylcarnitines, carnosine, long chain ceramides, sphingolipids, and bile acids playing a major role in the response to PTX administration. Our study identifies for the first time multiple related metabolic axes involved in PTX-induced peripheral neurotoxicity, and suggests age-related differences in CIPN manifestations and in the metabolic profile.

Arginine Biosynthesis Pathway Found to Play a Key Role in the Neuroprotective Effect of Liu-Wei-Luo-Bi (LWLB) Granules in Diabetic db/db Mice with Peripheral Neuropathy Using an Untargeted Metabolomics Strategy.

Liu-Wei-Luo-Bi (LWLB) granules was a Chinese compound prescription for treating diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of LWLB granules on diabetic mice with peripheral neuropathy and to elucidate the potential mechanism based on an untargeted metabolomics approach. One hundred forty db/db mice were randomly divided into seven groups: the Control group, DPN group, Mudan (MD) granules group, Epalrestat (Epa) group, and the LWLB low, medium, or high dose (LW-l, LW-m, or LW-h) group. After 12 weeks of treatment, body weight, blood glucose, mechanical pain threshold, motor conduction velocity (MCV), sensory conduction velocity (SCV), and Pathological Organization of the Sciatic and Caudal Nerves in mice were measured. Serum samples were collected for untargeted metabolomics analysis using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) and multivariate statistics. Disease-related pathways were screened out with function enrichment analyses of candidate biomarkers. LWLB granules can improve the peripheral neuropathy of type 2 diabetic mice with peripheral nerve conduction disorders, mainly through significantly improving the nerve conduction velocity (P < 0.05) and lowering the mechanical pain threshold (P < 0.05). A total of 43 metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers related to the therapeutic effect of LWLB granules. Fifty, 4, and 26; 23, 4, and 22; and 24, 1, and 16 biomarkers were discovered in the LW-l, LW-m, and LW-h groups at the 4th, 6th, and 12th weeks, respectively. Five, three, seven, five, and four metabolic pathways were found in MD, Epa, LW-l, LW-m, and LW-h groups, respectively. The arginine biosynthesis pathway is the overlapping pathway in LW-l, LW-m, and LW-h groups. LWLB granules have an obvious neuroprotective effect on diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and the metabolism mechanism of LWLB is mainly related to the arginine biosynthesis pathway on diabetic db/db mice with peripheral neuropathy.

Role of Panchakarma in the Management of Spinal Canal Stenosis - A Case Study

Spinal canal stenosis is a painful, degenerative condition, and is localized to facets, joints, and ligamentum flavum of the vertebra which is often referred to for surgical correction. The main cause of stenosis is herniated vertebral disc. If there is no compression, the spinal canal can be referred to as narrow, but not stenotic. Certain studies have defined lumbar spinal stenosis as the narrowing of the osteo-ligamentous vertebral canal or the intervertebral foramina, which causes compression of the thecal sac or the caudal nerve roots. The narrowing may impact the entire canal or just a portion of it, but it occurs at a single vertebral level. In this condition, it may, drastically affect the quality of life due to severe pain in doing daily routine activities. In contemporary science, there is no treatment except surgical intervention which is having a high chance of complication and the chances of recurrence. Surgery is necessary when there are clinically significant motor deficiencies or symptoms of cauda equina syndrome. Based on the manifestation of clinical signs and symptoms it can be correlated with Gridhrasi, according to Ayurveda. Gridhrasi can be treated successfully by the intervention of Panchakarma procedures along with Shamana Chikitsa. Here is a case study of a patient suffering from low back pain radiating to bilateral lower limbs, stiffness, numbness, burning sensation in the bilateral sole region, and unable to walk without support, who was previously diagnosed as a case of Spinal Canal Stenosis. He was treated with a Panchakarma procedure, Shamana Chikitsa along with Physiotherapy Exercises. The patient showed marked improvement and could do daily routine activities properly.

Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring in Predicting Dysphagia After Brainstem and Fourth Ventricle Surgery

Dysphagia represents the main complication of posterior fossa neurosurgery. Adequate diagnosis of this complication is warranted to prevent untimely extubation with subsequent aspiration. Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring (IONM) modalities may be used for this purpose. However, it is not known which IONM modality may be significant for diagnosis. This study aimed to define the most significant IONM modality for dysphagia prognostication after posterior fossa neurosurgery. The analysis included 46 patients (34 with tumors of the fourth ventricle and 12 with brainstem localization) who underwent surgical excision of the tumor. Neurologic symptoms before and after neurosurgery were noted and magnetic resonance imaging with the subsequent volume estimation of the removed mass was performed, followed by an IONM findings analysis (mapping of the nucleus of the caudal cranial nerves [CN] and corticobulbar motor-evoked potentials [CoMEP]). Aggravation of dysphagia was noted in 24% of the patients, more often in patients with tumor localization in the fourth ventricle (26%) than in those with brainstem mass lesions (16%). Mapping of the caudal cranial nerve nuclei did not correlate with the dysfunction of these structures. CoMEP was significantly associated with the neurologic state of the CN. The decrease in CoMEP is a significant prognostic factor for postoperative bulbar symptoms appearance or aggravation. Mapping the CN is an important identification tool. The CoMEP modality should be used intraoperatively to determine the functional state of the CN and predict postoperative dysphagia.

A Prospective Observational Study Analyzing the Analgesic Efficacy of Caudal Block and Nerve Stimulator-Guided Pudendal Nerve Block in Children Undergoing Hypospadias Repair.

Hypospadias repair is a common pediatric surgery. While caudal block (CB) is the most widely used procedure for analgesia, pudendal nerve block (PNB) can be utilized as an alternative. We evaluated the postoperative analgesic efficacy of CB and PNB in children undergoing hypospadias repair. In this prospective observational study, we evaluated 101 patients who received standard general anesthesia along with CB or PNB. Postoperative pain score (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability {FLACC} score) along with the total number of analgesicdoses and the total amount of analgesic drugs consumed within 24 hours were noted. Time to first rescue analgesia, post-block penile length and midshaft circumference, surgeon satisfaction score, and postoperative complications were also evaluated. Out of 101 patients observed, 50 received CB, and 51 received PNB. At 24-hour interval, the median FLACC score in CB was 6, while in the PNB, it was 4 (p<0.001). None of the patients who were given PNB received more than three doses (p<0.001), and the average consumption of analgesic drugs within 24 hours was significantly higher in CB (38.4±4.28) compared to PNB (21.7±6.33) (p<0.0001). The median time to first rescue analgesia in CB was four hours, while in patients receiving PNB, it was eight hours(p<0.001). The increase in penile volume was significantly higher with CB as compared to PNB (p<0.001). Surgeon satisfaction score was found to be better with PNB (p<0.002). Patients who received PNB had significantly reduced pain scores and analgesic consumption in the first 24 hours post surgery.

Low Dose Caudal vs Dorsal Penile Nerve Block for Postoperative Analgesia after Circumcision

Abstract Background Circumcision is a painful surgery that is mostly performed under general anesthesia in order to eliminate fear and anxiety. Regional techniques are more effective than systemic opioids, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and acetaminophen for postoperative analgesia in circumcision, The most preferred techniques are dorsal penile nerve block and caudal block. Objective To investigate the effectiveness of post operative analgesia and complications among dorsal penile nerve block, caudal block and the combination of both. Patients and Methods Our study was carried out to compare the effectiveness, duration of postoperative analgesia, and the complications among dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB), caudal nerve block (CNB) and the combination of both. This study was carried out on 81 male patients, aged from 3-12 years old &amp; undergoing circumcision. The patients were divided into 3 groups, each is composed of 27 patients; group 1 including DPNB patients, group 2 including CNB patients and group 3 for combined block. This study compared between the three groups regarding the intraoperative vital data (HR,BP), post-operative VAS scores and the complications (nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, itching, constipation &amp; CNS depression). Results The demographic data (age, weight &amp; height) does not differ between the three groups of the study. There is difference in the VAS score post operatively, being significantly less in the CNB group. There was no significant difference in the percentage of complications between the groups, except for urinary retention being slightly increased in the CNB group. Conclusion Our results showed that, CNB is superior to DPNB in intraoperative and postoperative analgesia after circumcision as regarding pain control. However CNB is associated with more complications compared to the DPNB. Also, the results showed that there‟s no need to combine both blocks as it gave the same results as with the CNB alone.

Postoperative neurological complications in intradural extramedullary tumors: A 10-year experience of a single center

BackgroundIntradural extramedullary spinal cord tumors (IDEMs) cause neurological symptoms due to compression of the spinal cord and caudal nerves. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence of postoperative neurological complications after surgical resection of IDEM and to identify factors associated with such postoperative neurological complications. MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 85 patients who underwent tumor resection for IDEM between 2010 and 2020. We investigated the postoperative worsening of neurological disorders. The patients were divided into two groups: those with and without postoperative neurological complications. Patient demographic characteristics, tumor level, histological type, and surgery-related factors were also compared. ResultsThe mean age at the time of surgery was 57.4 years, and histological analysis revealed 45 cases of schwannoma, 34 cases of meningioma, three cases of myxopapillary ependymoma, one case of ependymoma, one case of hemangioblastoma and one case of lipoma. There were five cases (5.8%) of postoperative neurological complications, and four patients improved within 6 months after surgery, and one patient had residual worsening. There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, tumor location, preoperative modified McCormick Scale grade, histology, tumor occupancy, or whether fixation was performed in the presence or absence of postoperative neurological complications. All four cases of meningioma with postoperative neurological complications had preoperative neuropathy and meningiomas were located in the anterior or lateral thoracic spine. ConclusionsNeurological complications after surgical resection for IDEM occurred in 5.8% of patients. Meningiomas with postoperative neurological complications located anteriorly or laterally in the thoracic spine.

Bilateral vocal cord palsy as complication of CNS tuberculosis

BackgroundTuberculous meningitis, a rare but severe form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, frequently affects cranial nerves. While nerves III, VI and VII are commonly involved, involvement of caudal cranial nerves is rarely described. Here, we report a rare case of bilateral vocal cord palsy secondary to caudal cranial nerve involvement in tuberculous meningoencephalitis, that occurred in Germany, a country with low tuberculosis incidence.Case presentationA 71-year-old woman was transferred for further treatment of hydrocephalus as a complication of presumed bacterial meningitis with unknown pathogen at that time. Because of decreased consciousness, intubation was performed and an empiric antibiotic therapy with ampicillin, ceftriaxone and acyclovir was initiated. Upon admission to our hospital, an external ventricular drainage was placed. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the causative pathogen, and antitubercular treatment was initiated. Extubation was possible one week after admission. Eleven days later, the patient developed inspiratory stridor that worsened within a few hours. Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) revealed new-onset bilateral vocal cord palsy as the cause of respiratory distress, which required re-intubation and tracheostomy. The bilateral vocal cord palsy persisted despite continued antitubercular therapy on the follow-up examination.ConclusionConsidering the aetiology of infectious meningitis, cranial nerve palsies may be suggestive for tuberculous meningitis as underlying disease given their rarity in other bacterial forms of meningitis. Nevertheless, intracranial involvement of inferior cranial nerves is rare even in this specific entity, as only extracranial lesions of inferior cranial nerves have been reported in tuberculosis. With this report of a rare case of bilateral vocal cord palsy due to intracranial involvement of the vagal nerves, we emphasize the importance of timely initiation of treatment for tuberculous meningitis. This may help to prevent serious complications and associated poor outcome since the response to anti-tuberculosis therapy may be limited.

Caudal anesthesia is not associated with post-operative complications following distal hypospadias repair

The use of caudal anesthesia at the time of hypospadias repair remains controversial as some prior studies have reported increased postoperative complication rates associated with caudal nerve block. However, these results have been called into question due to confounding factors and heterogeneous study groups. Given the importance of identifying true risk factors associated with increased hypospadias complication rate, we examined our experience with caudal anesthesia limiting our analysis to distal repairs. We hypothesized that caudal anesthesia would not be associated with increased postoperative complications. We retrospectively reviewed our institutional hypospadias database from June 2007 to January 2021. All boys who underwent single-stage distal hypospadias repair with either caudal or penile block with minimum 1 month follow up were included. Records were reviewed to determine the type of local anesthesia, type of hypospadias repair, all complications, and time to complication. Association between any complication and local anesthesia type was evaluated by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis controlling for age at surgery and type of repair. A sub-analysis was performed for complications occurring ≤30 days. Overall, 1008 boys, 832 (82.5%) who received caudal and 176 (17.5%) penile block, were included. Median age at surgery was 8.1 months and median follow up was 13 months. Overall complication rate was 16.4% with 13.8% of patients requiring repeat operation. Median time to complication was 10.59 months and was significantly shorter in the caudal group (8.45 vs. 25.2 months). Caudal anesthesia was associated with higher likelihood of complication on univariate analysis; however, this was not true on multivariate analysis when controlling for age and type of repair. Caudal anesthesia was not associated with increased likelihood of complication within 30 days. Since the association between caudal anesthesia and hypospadias complications was first suggested, several studies have tried to answer this question with variable results. Our findings add to the evidence that there is no association between caudal anesthesia and increased hypospadias complications in either the short or long term. The major strengths of our study are a large, homogenous study population, robust follow up and inclusion of data from 14 surgeons over 14 years. Limitations include the study's retrospective nature as well as lack of standardized follow up protocol throughout the study period. After controlling for possible confounders, caudal nerve block was not associated with increased risk of postoperative complications following distal hypospadias repair.

Corticobulbar motor evoked potentials in surgical treatment of tumors of the IV ventricle and brainstem

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring is an obligatory tool during fossa posterior surgery. Corticobulbar motor evoked potentials is the modality of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, which can be used during such neurosurgery interventions. It is used to determine the functional state of the caudal cranial nerves during surgery. However, there are technical features of this modality, therefore, corticobulbar motor evoked potentials are not used routine in neurosurgery now.&#x0D; AIM: To establish the predictive value of corticobulbar motor evoked potentials for development of dysphagia after removal of tumors of brainstem and fourth ventricle.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 80 patients aged from 11 months to 67 years. In 49 cases tumor located in forth ventricle (34 adults and 15 children). In 31 cases tumor located in upper brainstem and craniospinal region (16 adults and 15 children). All patients underwent neurosurgery removal of tumor with intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring. We analyzed otoneurological symptoms before and after operation, MR-images, the volume of removed tumor was estimated. We analyzed data of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring; the main modality of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring was corticobulbar motor evoked potentials.&#x0D; RESULTS: Progress in neurological symptoms from caudal nerves was observed in 35% cases. Amplitude of corticobulbar motor evoked potentials statistically depends on neurological symptoms from caudal nerves in early postoperative period. When the amplitude of the corticobulbar motor evoked potentials decreases by more than 34% from the initial level, there is a high probability of appearance or increase of symptoms from the caudal group of cranial nerves after surgery. The sensitivity and specificity of the corticobulbar motor evoked potentails are 94.4 and 89.2%, respectively.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to use the corticobulbar motor evoked potentials to determine the functional state of the caudal group of cranial nerves during brainstem and forth ventricle surgery and to predict the development of dysphagia and dysarthria after surgery. The modality has a high prognostic value both in children and in adults.

Assessment of the levels of termination of the conus medullaris and thecal sac in the pediatric population

PurposeThis study assessed the position of the termination of the conus medullaris (the point where the spinal cord tapers to an end) and thecal sac (the sheath of dura mater that surrounds the spinal cord and caudal nerve roots) in a large pediatric population, to characterise the nature of the pediatric Gaussian distribution and assess whether age affected the distribution. The study further aimed to assess the effect of gender on termination positions.MethodsA total of 520 MRI spine studies of children aged between 1 month and 19 years old were collected from two pediatric tertiary referral centres in the UK and Italy. Studies with pathological findings were excluded, and normal scans were found using keyword search algorithms on a database of radiologists’ reports. The reported scans were individually assessed and reviewed by two experienced neuroradiologists. The termination points of the conus medullaris and thecal sac were determined for each study. Local IRB approvals were sought.ResultsThe results showcased a Gaussian distribution in both conus medullaris (r=0.8997) and thecal sac termination levels (r=0.9639). No statistically significant results were noted with increasing age for the termination positions of the conus medullaris or thecal sac (p = 0.154, 0.063). No statistical significance was observed with gender variation with either anatomical landmark. A weak positive correlation was observed between the termination levels of the conus medullaris and the thecal sac (r=0.2567)ConclusionTermination levels across all pediatric age range followed a Gaussian distribution. Knowledge of normal termination levels has relevant clinical implications, including the assessment of patients with suspected spinal dysraphism.