Deltoid Palsy Research Articles

Free functional gracilis transfer for reconstruction of isolated anterior deltoid atrophy following surgical proximal humerus fixation

BackgroundPalsy of the clavicular head of the deltoid is a complication after surgical fixation of proximal humerus fractures. Flexion of the shoulder joint may be impaired as a result. Additionally, patients may complain of joint instability, visible atrophy and pain. Where nerve reconstruction is not possible, muscle transfers remain as secondary reconstructive procedures. MethodsThree patients suffering from anterior deltoid palsy after proximal humerus fixation received a free functional gracilis transfer to the shoulder. Postoperatively, patients underwent biofeedback-based rehabilitation. Before and after the intervention, subjective complaints, pain level and active range of motion (ROM) were recorded. At the final follow-up patients completed a Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. ResultsThe surgery was successful in all patients with first muscle signals registered through sEMG approximately four months postoperatively. At the latest follow-up (> 3 years), the patients showed improved shoulder stability and pain scores. In two patients with preoperative restrictions, active ROM improved. The DASH score showed minimal to no disability in two patients and moderate disability in the third. Two patients voiced satisfaction with the restoration of the ventral bulk of the shoulder. ConclusionsThe free functional gracilis muscle transfer is a novel approach for secondary reconstruction in patients with anterior deltoid atrophy who don’t qualify for nerve intervention. It addresses shoulder instability and pain and may improve active ROM. The addition of fresh muscle tissue to the ventral shoulder can improve its natural contour and prevent protrusion of the humeral head.

Management of Malpositioned Cervical Interfacet Spacers: An Institutional Case Series

IntroductionPosterior cervical foraminotomy and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) are the mainstay treatments for cervical radiculopathy. A recent alternative or adjunct involves the placement of interfacet spacers, which promote indirect decompression by increasing foraminal height. Cervical interfacet spacers have been shown to be safe options for indirect decompression and improve short-term clinical outcomes in patients with cervical spine pathologies. However, no previous data regarding malpositioned spacers and their management have been reported. Given this paucity of data, we aim to present examples of malpositioned interfacet spacers and their management.MethodsThis was a retrospective single-center review.ResultsTwenty-five patients were identified in which interfacet spacers were used at a single level in 19 cases, two levels in five cases, and three levels in one case. The cohort had a mean follow-up of 14.4 months. Among 60 total spacers placed, two required repositioning (3.3%). The first underwent bilateral placement at C4/5 and developed a unilateral deltoid palsy postoperatively. She was taken back to the operating room the same day for implant removal. A second patient underwent removal after a malpositioned implant at C4/5 was identified on an intraoperative CT scan. A third patient had spacers placed at a referring hospital and presented with progressive neck pain and radiculopathy. She underwent successful removal with a resolution of her symptoms.ConclusionsInterfacet spacers represent a novel technique for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy, however, there are limited data on their utilization. We present the first reports of malpositioned spacers and their management. Patients with small facet joints and lateral masses may be at increased risk for malposition, and intraoperative fluoroscopy may not adequately confirm implant placement. Surgeons should use caution when implementing new technology with a low threshold for intraoperative CT to confirm the appropriate placement of these devices.

Surgical Outcomes in Patients Operated for Cervical Myelopathy using Japanese Orthopaedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire

Study Design: This was a retrospective case series. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the surgical outcomes of patients with cervical myelopathy, using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ). Summary of Background Data: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a leading cause of morbidity. Patients present with spasticity, gait imbalance, and loss of fine motor function. Most patients present early; however, few manage with disability for years and present late. Methods: Fifty-two consecutive patients underwent surgery for cervical myelopathy from 2008 to 2013; however, detailed follow-up was available in only 42 patients. Thirty-nine patients were ambulatory, while 3 were non-ambulatory at the outset. Nineteen patients underwent anterior surgery and 23 patients underwent posterior surgery. Frankel, Nurick grades, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and JOACMEQ scores were recorded at time of admission, 6, 12, 24, and 52 weeks, and then annually. Outcomes at final follow-up were included for statistical analysis. Results: Thirty-four (81%) patients improved, 4 (9.5%) patients remained static, and 4 (9.5%) patients worsened according to Nurick scale. Nurick grades improved from 3.52 to 1.64. Mean NDI scores improved from 42.28 to 20.28. Analyzing the JOACMEQ scores, cervical spine function improved in 15 (35.7%), upper extremity (UE) function improved in 33 (78.6%) patients, while lower extremity (LE) function improved in 32 (76.2%) patients. Bladder function improved in 17 (40.47%). Quality of life improved in 37 (88.1%) patients. LE improved more than UE, in the younger (<45 years) group, and in those with subaxial myelopathy. Pre-operative symptoms greater than 12 months had a negative impact on outcome. Pre-operative neurology, approach, and instrumentation did not impact outcomes. Four (9.5%) patients developed major neurological deficit, 4 (9.5%) patients had C5 deltoid palsy, while 1 patient had

Infraspinatus muscle palsy involving suprascapular nerve, brachial plexus or cervical roots related to inflammatory or mechanical causes: Experience of 114 cases

ObjectivesTo report a large series of neurogenic infraspinatus muscle (ISM) palsy, in order to improve knowledge of diagnosis, diverse etiologies and care management. MethodsClinical and electrodiagnostic (EDX) data for 114 cases of ISM palsy were collected over a 21-year period. Cases were attributed to 4 clinical conditions: (1) isolated suprascapular nerve mononeuropathy (n=48), (2) multiple mononeuropathies (n=33), (3) plexus lesions (n=17), and (4) cervical radiculopathy (n=16). These were related to 2 mechanisms: inflammatory (dysimmune) and mechanical. ResultsGroup 1 cases were younger, had the most severe ISM palsies, were mostly related to inflammatory lesions (81%) such as neuralgic amyotrophy (NA), and frequently had delayed diagnosis because disability was mild. Group 2 cases were all related to inflammatory lesions and had slightly less severe ISM palsies that were frequently hidden by winged scapula. In groups 3 and 4, ISM palsies were milder and all cases were related to mechanical lesions such as brachial plexus trauma or C4-C5-C6 radiculopathy. In these cases, deltoid and ISM palsies were equal in frequency and severity whereas biceps brachii impairment was less frequent and much milder. Deltoid palsy frequently appeared predominant as compared with ISM palsy, because upper limb elevation palsy was more disabling than external rotation palsy. ConclusionsISM palsy is a rare condition, often under-diagnosed and misidentified. The 4 main conditions of ISM palsy may be recognized by careful clinical, EDX and other examinations when necessary. Analysis of the present series highlights some clinical and EDX points that should help non-specialist and even specialist clinicians who are faced with this rare condition, to distinguish mechanical and inflammatory causes, and thus adapt patient management accordingly.

Can postoperative deltoid weakness after cervical laminoplasty be prevented by using intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring?

Laminoplasty, frequently performed in patients with cervical myelopathy, is safe and provides relatively good results. However, motor palsy of the upper extremities, which occurs after decompression surgery for cervical myelopathy, often reduces muscle strength of the deltoid muscle, mainly in the C5 myotome. The aim of this study was to investigate prospectively whether postoperative deltoid weakness (DW) can be predicted by performing intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) during cervical laminoplasty and to clarify whether it is possible to prevent palsy using IONM. We evaluated the 278 consecutive patients (175 males and 103 females) who underwent French-door cervical laminoplasty for cervical myelopathy under IONM between November 2008 and December 2016 at our hospital. IONM was performed using muscle evoked potential after electrical stimulation to the brain [Br(E)-MsEP] from the deltoid muscle. Seven patients (2.5%) developed DW after surgery (2 with acute and 5 with delayed onset). In all patients, deltoid muscle strength recovered to ≥ 4 on manual muscle testing 3-6 months after surgery. Persistent IONM alerts occurred in 2 patients with acute-onset DW. To predict the acute onset of DW, Br(E)-MsEP alerts in the deltoid muscle had both a sensitivity and specificity of 100%. The PPV of persistent Br(E)-MsEP alerts had both a sensitivity and specificity of 100% for acute-onset DW. There was no change in Br(E)-MsEP in patients with delayed-onset palsy. The incidence of deltoid palsy was relatively low. Persistent Br(E)-MsEP alerts of the deltoid muscle had a 100% sensitivity and specificity for predicting a postoperative acute deficit. IONM was unable to predict delayed-onset DW. In only 1 patient were we able to prevent postoperative DW by performing a foraminotomy.

Surgical Outcomes of Cervical Disc Herniation Causing Deltoid Palsy: Multicenter Study

Introduction In general, deltoid palsy develops in patients with cervical disc herniation (CDH) at the level of C4–5, resulting in compression of the C5 nerve root. Because of duplicate nerve innervation, however, deltoid palsy can also develop when CDH is at the levels of C3–4 and C5–6. To date, little has been known about the surgical outcomes of CDH causing deltoid palsy. We report on by far the largest series of CDH causing deltoid palsy focusing on surgical outcomes in the literature. Patients and Methods A total of 61 patients with CDH causing deltoid palsy (less than grade 3) were identified among 13 surgeons and included in this study. Average age of the patients was 51.4 years (range, 25–69 years), with 49 males and 12 females. Overall, 35 patients were soft disc and 26 patients were hard disc. Overall, 32 patients had single-level CDH (22 C4–5, 9 C5–6 and 1 C3–4), 22 had two-level (19 C4–5-6, 2 C3–4-5 and 1 C5–6-7), 4 had three-level (4 C4–5-6–7), 3 had four-level (3 C3–4-5–6-7). All the patients underwent surgery for deltoid palsy and arm pain not responding to conservative treatment: 57 ACDF, 2 ADR, and 2 foraminotomy and discectomy. Average follow-up was 20.7 months (range, 6–83 months). The severity of deltoid palsy was classified into five grades according to manual motor power test, and the severity of radiculopathy was recorded on a visual analog scale (VAS) of arm pain (0–10 points). The degree of improvement in both the severity of deltoid palsy and arm pain following surgery was evaluated. Patients with accompanying myelopathy, shoulder diseases, or peripheral neuropathy were excluded from the study. Results Average duration of deltoid palsy was 11.9 weeks (range, 1–156 weeks). Both deltoid palsy and radiculopathy improved significantly with surgery (2.4 vs. 4.5 grades, p < 0.001) and (6.4 vs. 2.1 points, p < 0.001), respectively. Of 61 patients, 36 (59%) patients achieved full recovery of deltoid palsy with an average time of 8.4 weeks (range, 1–54 weeks). Longer duration of deltoid palsy negatively affected the degree of improvement of deltoid palsy after surgery (correlation coefficient −0.351; p < 0.01). Severity of preoperative deltoid palsy, type of disc (soft disc or hard disc), and gender did not affect the degree of improvement of deltoid palsy after surgery. Conclusion This study demonstrates that surgical decompression significantly improves the degree of deltoid palsy and radiculopathy because of the CDH irrespective of the type of disc. The longer the duration of deltoid palsy preoperatively, the lower the degree of improvement of deltoid palsy postoperatively. Thus, early surgical decompression is recommended for improvement of deltoid palsy in patients with CDH.

Prognostic Factors for Postsurgical Recovery of Deltoid Palsy due to Cervical Disc Herniations.

Study DesignRetrospective multicenter study.PurposeWe aimed to investigate prognostic factors affecting postsurgical recovery of deltoid palsy due to cervical disc herniation (CDH).Overview of LiteratureLittle information is available about prognostic factors affecting postsurgical recovery of deltoid palsy due to CDH.MethodsSixty-one patients with CDH causing deltoid palsy (less than grade 3) were included in this study: 35 soft discs and 26 hard discs. Average duration of preoperative deltoid palsy was 11.9 weeks. Thirty-two patients underwent single-level surgery, 22 two-level, four three-level, and three four-level. Patients with accompanying myelopathy, shoulder diseases, or peripheral neuropathy were excluded from the study.ResultsDeltoid palsy (2.4 grades vs. 4.5 grades, p<0.001) and radiculopathy (6.4 points vs. 2.1 points, p<0.001) significantly improved after surgery. Thirty-six of 61 patients (59%) achieved full recovery (grade 5) of deltoid palsy, with an average time of 8.4 weeks. Longer duration of preoperative deltoid palsy and more severe radiculopathy negatively affected the degree of improvement in deltoid palsy. Age, gender, number of surgery level, and disc type did not affect the degree of improvement of deltoid palsy. Contrary to our expectations, severity of preoperative deltoid palsy did not affect the degree of improvement. Due to the shorter duration of preoperative deltoid palsy, in the context of rapid referral, early surgical decompression resulted in significant recovery of more severe grades (grade 0 or 1) of deltoid palsy compared to grade 2 or 3 deltoid palsy.ConclusionsEarly surgical decompression significantly improved deltoid palsy caused by CDH, irrespective of age, gender, number of surgery level, and disc type. However, longer duration of deltoid palsy and more severe intensity of preoperative radiating pain were associated with less improvement of deltoid palsy postoperatively.

Latissimus dorsi tendon transfer for irreparable postero-superior cuff tears: current concepts, indications, and recent advances.

Latissimus dorsi tendon transfer is a method for surgical treatment of massive irreparable posterosuperior cuff tears. It partially restores active anteflexion, external rotation, and function of the shoulder but does not significantly increase strength of the shoulder. It is contraindicated in case of pseudoparalytic shoulder; associated irreparable subscapularis tear, deltoid palsy, and in case of associated osteoarthritis, as an isolated procedure. Results are inferior when performed as a secondary procedure compared with a primary procedure. However, latissimus dorsi tendon transfer is an attractive solution to improve shoulder mobility and function of young and non osteoarthritic patients whose previous surgical treatment of massive postero-superior irreparable rotator cuff tear failed. As a primary procedure, latissimus dorsi tendon transfer competes with debridement, biceps tenotomy, and partial cuff repair. In association with reverse shoulder arthroplasty, it restores active external rotation in osteoarthritic patients with active external rotation deficit. New arthroscopic assisted techniques might improve results in the future.

Neurotisation du nerf du chef long du muscle triceps sur le nerf axillaire, dans les paralysies isolées du deltoïde

AimNerve transfer of the nerve branch to long head of triceps onto the axillary nerve has joined the therapeutic armamentarium for isolated deltoid paralysis cases. We report our experience in the case of a non-excisable neuroma of the axillary nerve at its origin from the posterior cord. MethodsEight patients of average age 28 (15–38) were included in a retrospective study with one operating surgeon. Clinical assessment included analytical testing of the deltoid muscle, pain score (VAS) and a functional assessment. Minimum follow-up was 24months. ResultsPreoperative delay was 10.8months. In seven cases, recovery was M4 for the posterior deltoid, M3 for the middle deltoid and M2 for the anterior deltoid. The elbow was stable, strong and painless (VAS=2). Cocontraction was found. No morbidity was found at the donor site. The last case was a failure. DiscussionIn absence of spontaneous recovery, the surgical treatment of deltoid palsy restores a stable strong shoulder and prevents overloading of the rotator cuff. This nerve transfer initially used in brachial plexus surgery gives results comparable to those using grafts, which is the standard treatment of reference avoiding approach of the plexus. The inconvenience is the persistence of cocontractions and a fatigue phenomenon. ConclusionThe nerve transfer of the nerve to the long head of triceps to the axillary nerve is the technique of choice for re-innervation of the deltoid.

Surgical management of cervical radiculopathy.

Cervical radiculopathy presents as pain in a dermatomal distribution. Despite conservative nonoperative therapy, a large subset of patients will require surgical intervention. Indications for surgery include recalcitrant radiculopathy despite nonoperative treatment for more than 6 weeks and progressive motor deficit or disabling motor deficit (deltoid palsy, wrist drop) prior to 6 weeks. Anterior and posterior approaches have both yielded successful results in appropriately selected patients. Anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion is the generally preferred treatment for radiculopathy when there is a significant component of axial neck pain, when the disease is centrally located, or when there is any degree of segmental kyphosis. Posterior laminoforaminotomy is an acceptable choice for lateral soft disk herniations with predominant arm pain and for caudal lesions in large, short-necked individuals.

Arthrodesis of the glenohumeral joint for deltoid palsy.

After loss of active glenohumeral motion the arm cannot be positioned in space and function is impaired. Fusion of the glenohumeral joint creates a new platform for the movement of elbow, hand and fingers and leads to an improvement of function. The use of the reconstructive plate makes the operation easier. Shoulder fusion is especially suited if the function of elbow and hand is well preserved and if the patient is physically active. But fusion is definite and the options of muscle transfer operations and above elbow amputation have to be considered.

Embolisation of Spinal Cord Arteriovenous Malformations with Glue through the Anterior Spinal Axis

We reviewed the clinical and morphological results of spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (SCAVMs) embolised with acrylic glue through the anterior spinal axis (ASA), and assessed the anatomical guidelines that should be followed to safely embolise the ASA. Twenty consecutive SCAVMS seen between 1982 and 1996 were reviewed. There were 15 lesions in the thoracolumbar cord and 5 in the cervical cord. Haemorrhage was the revealing symptom in 13 patients (65%). Embolisation through the ASA was done in 19 SCAVMs (2 with PVA particles in our early experience and 17 with Histoacryl(*)). One patient was not embolised because of a spastic reaction of the ASA that led to secondary subtotal thrombosis of the SCAVM without neurological deficit. The ASA was chosen as arterial approach to the AVM because it was the only feeder to the lesion (1 case) andlor because it was one of the accessible pedicles harbouring particular angioarchitectural weakness points. Vascular occlusion was always indicated and performed following precise anatomical analysis of the lesion and of the regional vascular disposition. In all cases embolisation of the ASA feeders to a SCAVM was performed under general anaesthesia, without any evoked potentials or provocative tests. However, 3/19 (16%) patients presented transient worsening of their clinical condition. Permanent morbidity occurred in 2/19 patients (11%): one patient cured from a cervical intramedullary AVM presents mainly a deltoid palsy, the other with a thoracic intramedullary AVM has worsened his paraparesis. At follow-up, 6/19 patients (32%) are neurologically normal and 10/19 (53%) have improved their neurological conditions and deficits. One patient embolised recently is currently stable but is expected to improve. No embolised patient bled or rebled during followup. Neurological symptoms recurred in one patient who had been stable for one year after his first embolisation. For an experienced interventional neuroradiology team, embolisation of SCAVMs through the ASA is feasible with acrylic glue with good clinical results. Proper analysis of the vascular architecture is mandatory to select the cases that can benefit from such approach.