Single Nerve Injury Research Articles

Ultrasound as the main method for diagnosing peripheral nerve injuries in mine blast trauma

BACKGROUND: The amount of published data related to peripheral nerve blast injuries is limited.
 AIM: The study was aimed at determining the accuracy and sensitivity and assessing the specificity of ultrasound in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve injuries in mine blast trauma.
 METHODS: A total of 159 patients (274 peripheral nerves) were examined. Ultrasound was performed according to the standard technique using a HI VISION Avius HITACHI scanner with an EUP-L74M linear transducer (a frequency range of 513 MHz) and a preset musculoskeletal system ultrasound program. The duration of nerve injuries ranged from 2 to 273 days. All patients were men aged 20 to 48 years. Peripheral nerves were damaged as a result of mine blast trauma. Statistical analysis was used to assess sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy. These characteristics were calculated according to the qualitative assessment of surgical intervention, the results of conservative treatment, and the method under study (ultrasound).
 RESULTS: A total of 274 damaged peripheral nerves were examined. The Group 1 included 93 (34%) nerves that required surgical intervention. In Group 2, consisting of 181 (66%) nerves, conservative treatment was used. Most of the nerves (47 [51%]) in Group 1 were damaged due to the compression effects of scarring in the surrounding tissues. Seventeen (18%) partial violations of the anatomical integrity of nerves with the formation of intramural and marginal neuromas were detected. Multiple and single nerve injuries were observed in 95 (59.7%) and 64 people (40.3%), respectively. Peripheral nerves of the upper extremities were damaged more frequently (185 [67.5%]), whereas nerves of the lower extremities were damaged in 89 (32.5%) cases. Ultrasound showed an increase in the cross-sectional area of nerves, blurred contours, decreased echogenicity, and changes in the bundle structure up to the complete absence of differentiation of individual fascioculi. The formation of neuromas was observed in complete and partial nerve ruptures. All 93 nerves in Group 1 underwent surgical intervention, particularly, external neurolysis (32 [34%]), internal neurolysis (15 [16%]), nerve suture (15 [16%]), excision of neuroma followed by microsurgical epineural suture (18 [19%]), and autoneural plasty (11 [12%]). In 2 (3%) cases, a decision was made to abstain from plasty and perform a tendon transposition due to a pronounced diastasis. All patients of Group 2 were shown to have a wait-and-see approach, and conservative therapy was prescribed. In 179 (99%) cases, complete recovery of sensory and motor activity was observed within 21 days. In 2 (1%) patients, a repeated ultrasound was performed due to no effect of treatment. Compression by scar tissues was revealed, and surgical intervention was made.
 CONCLUSIONS: In mine-explosive impact, ultrasound is the leading method for diagnosing peripheral nerve injuries. Ultrasound with sensitivity of 97.8% and specificity of 98.8% reveals lesions for which surgical treatment is indicated. The diagnostic accuracy is 98.5%.

Effect of Gender and Cause of Injury on Incidence of Cranial Nerves Injuries in Maxillofacial Trauma; A Clinical Study

Objectives: To document the incidence and pattern of cranial nerves injuries that occur in association with maxillofacial trauma for early diagnosis and management.
 Methods: This study done from April 2012 to April 2013 in AlË—Salaam teaching hospital in Mosul/Iraq. We studied 367 patients presented with maxillofacial trauma. The demographic, medical information and cause of injury are recorded for each patient. Clinical examination of the cranial nerves was done at time of admission. Plain x-ray film, CT scan, electromyography, Hess chart and other investigations were done when clinically indicated.
 Results: 367 patients presented with maxillofacial trauma included in this study. 57(15.5%) patients presented with cranial nerves injuries. 47(82.45%) patients are males and 10(17.54%) are females. The mean age of the patients is (25 years). 45(78.94%) patients had single nerve injury.12 (21.05%) patients presented with multiple cranial nerves injuries. The facial nerve carries the highest rate of incidence.
 Conclusions: Cranial nerves injuries most commonly detected in young age group male patients. High velocity missile significantly increase the chance of cranial nerves injuries. Early diagnosis of these injuries essential for better results with less morbidities and residual deformities. 

Поєднані ушкодження нервових та сухожилково-м’язових структур на передпліччі, що супроводжуються їх значними дефектами: роль вимушеної транспозиції м’язів у відновленні основних функцій кисті

Мета роботи: оцінити ефективність “вимушених” транспозицій при ушкодженнях сухожилково-м’язових та нервових структур на відновлення основних захватів кисті.
 Матеріали і методи. Проведено ретроспективний аналіз результатів реконструктивних втручань у 9 пацієнтів (6 чоловіків та 3 жінки) віком від 9 до 70 року (середній вік 36,4 року) із наслідками проксимальних поєднаних ушкоджень довгих нервів та сухожилково-м’язового апарату передньої поверхні передпліччя. Травма сухожилково-м’язового апарату була поєднана із ушкодженням в 4 випадках серединного нерва, в 4 випадках серединного та ліктьового нервів, в одному випадку – серединного нерва та поверхневої гілки променевого нерва. Термін, в який проводились реконструктивні втручання, складав у середньому 5 місяців (від 2 до 11 місяців) після травми. У 6 пацієнтів хірургічна реконструкція нервів полягала у виконанні автологічної пластики, у 2 пацієнтів – невролізу, в одного пацієнта – шва нерва. У 5 випадках “вимушена” транспозиція була виконана з метою відновлення незалежної функції довгого згинача 1 пальця, у 6 випадках – незалежної функції глибоких згиначів 2–3 пальців. Відновлення неврологічних функцій оцінювали за MRC Scale, класифікацією за Seddon, відновленням 4 захватів кисті, власною оцінкою відновлених функцій за Brief Michigan Hand Questionnaire.
 Результати досліджень та їх обговорення. У всіх 4 пацієнтів із ушкодженням лише серединного нерва відновлення чутливості становило в середньому 3,75 за Seddon. У 4 пацієнтів із ушкодженням серединного та ліктьового нервів відновлення чутливості становило в середньому 3 та 2 за Seddon відповідно. Неефективне відновлення протиставлення першого пальця в 2 пацієнтів скореговано транспозицією за Bunnel. У 4 пацієнтів із ушкодженням серединного та ліктьового нервів ми спостерігали незадовільне відновлення “внутрішніх” м’язів кисті. У 5 пацієнтів «вимушені» транспозиції відновили незалежну функцію довгого згинача 1 пальця, у 6 пацієнтів – незалежну функцію глибоких згиначів 2–3 пальців. У 9 пацієнтів комплексна хірургічна реконструкція відновила функцію поперечного долонного, діагонального долонного та щипкового захватів. У 4 пацієнтів (44 %) не досягнуто відновлення ключового захвату, у зв’язку із незадовільним відновленням “внутрішніх” м’язів кисті (ліктьовий нерв). Середня власна оцінка функції кисті за MBHQ відповідала задовільній у 9 пацієнтів – 70,12 балів в середньому (від 43,75 до 89,6).

Analysis of Patient-Dependent and Trauma-Dependent Risk Factors for Persistent Brachial Plexus Injury after Shoulder Dislocation.

Brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) caused by shoulder dislocation usually have a transient character and tend to resolve spontaneously. However, in some patients the symptoms can persist and require operative intervention. This work aims to determine the risk factors for persistent BPIs resulting from shoulder dislocation. The study comprised 73 patients (58 men, 15 women; mean age: 50 years) treated operatively between the years 2000 and 2016 for persistent BPIs resulting from shoulder dislocation. Patient age, gender, type of initial trauma, number of affected nerves, presence of accompanying injuries, and time interval from dislocation to its reduction were analysed. Elderly patients more often sustained multiple-nerve injuries, while single nerve injuries were more often observed in younger patients. Injury to a single nerve was diagnosed in 30% of the patients. Axillary nerve was most commonly affected. Fracture of the greater tuberosity of humerus coincided with total BPI in 50% of the cases. Longer unreduced period caused injury to multiple nerves. Analysis of our patient group against relevant literature revealed that persistent BPI after shoulder dislocation is more common in older patients. Injuries to ulnar and median nerves more often require operative intervention due to low potential for spontaneous recovery of these nerves.

The significance of the pharyngeal veins during carotid endarterectomy: description of an anatomical triangle.

Injuries to the hypoglossal and vagus nerves are the most commonly reported injuries during carotid endarterectomy. While unilateral single nerve injury is usually well tolerated, bilateral or combined nerve injuries can pose a serious threat to life. This study aims to increase awareness of the inferior pharyngeal vein, which usually passes posterior to the internal carotid artery but sometimes crosses anterior to it. Injury to either or both hypoglossal and vagus nerves can occur during control of unexpected haemorrhage from the torn and retracted edges of the inferior pharyngeal vein. We recommend careful ligation and division of this vein. In addition, we observed in 9 (17.3%) of the 52 operations that the pharyngeal vein formed a triangle with the vagus and hypoglossal nerves when it passes anterior to the internal carotid artery.

Recovery of Motor Nerve Injuries Associated With Displaced, Extension-type Pediatric Supracondylar Humerus Fractures.

Nerve injuries occur in approximately 11% of pediatric extension supracondylar humerus fractures (SCHF), yet there is scarce literature to guide clinicians on management. The primary goal of this study was to report the presentation, treatment, and outcome of motor nerve injuries associated with extension SCHF. Our secondary goal was to determine which injury and treatment factors were associated with prolonged motor nerve recovery. Two hundred forty-four traumatic nerve injuries associated with extension SCHF treated at a single institution between 1996 and 2012 were reviewed. Patients with iatrogenic nerve injuries or subjective paresthesias without motor deficit were excluded. Univariable and multivariable general linear modeling were used to compare recovery times across nerve injury types and to determine the effect of injury and treatment characteristics on recovery time. Patients were a mean age of 6.7 years, with 89% presenting with a single nerve injury and 29% of the cohort experiencing a concurrent vascular injury. The majority of injuries (62%) were to the median nerve. Forty-three (18%) cases had acute nerve decompression at the time of fracture fixation. Five cases required subsequent surgery for poor nerve recovery; none of which underwent initial nerve decompression. Thirty-one patients were lost to follow-up after injury. Median time to nerve recovery was 2.3 months (IQR 1.4 to 3.7 mo); 60% of injuries had nerve recovery by 3 months and 196 (92%) patients had complete nerve recovery at final follow-up. A greater percentage of isolated median nerve (70%) injuries recovered within 3 months compared with radial nerve (42%) injuries (P=0.01). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that multiple nerve injuries took 54% longer to recover than single median nerve injuries (P=0.01), and single radial nerve injuries took 30% longer to recover than single median nerve injuries (P=0.04). The majority of nerve injuries associated with pediatric extension SCHF recover within 6 months without acute nerve decompression. The presence of either an isolated radial nerve injury or multiple nerve injuries is associated with prolonged motor recovery. Level IV.

The clinical application of high resolution ultrasound in upper limb nerve injuries

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of high resolution ultrasonography in upper limb nerve injuries. Methods Thirty-ong patients who were diagnosed with single nerve injury of the upper limb were divided into surgical treatment group and conservative treatment group according to the ultrasonographic findings. The surgical treatment group ( 19 cases) underwent radial nerve exploration and repair. Intraoperative findings were used to verify the accuracy of preoperative ultrasonographic diagnosis. Patients in the conservative treatment group (12 cases) and surgical treatment group postoperatively received oral administration of neurotrophic medicines and regular follow-up of with high resolution ultrasound examination. Results The ultrasonographic images of the conservative treatment group showed that the course of the nerve was curving,epineurial structure was still intact, and there was local edema. Preoperative ultrasonographic images of the surgical treatment group showed that the ultragenic signals of the nerve was completely or partially interrupted. The lesion site was hypoechogenic or non-echogenic. The diameter of the proximal nerve end was increased. Surgical exploration confirmed the accuracy of ultrasonographic diagnosis in 15 cases, with an accuracy rate of 78.9%. In the conservative treatment group, 10 patients had good nerve function recovery, while 2 cases had poor recovery and went on for surgical treatment. Conclusion High resolution ultrasound examination has a good clinical value in diagnosis of upper extremity peripheral nerve injuries. It is of guiding significance for treatment and follow-up. Key words: Ultrasonography; Peripheral nerves; Wounds and injuries

Poster 78: Pattern of Peripheral Nerve Injuries Sustained by Polytrauma Active Duty Service Members

Objective: To study the patterns of peripheral nerve injuries sustained by Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) polytrauma patients. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Veterans Administration polytrauma rehabilitation center. Participants: 33 active duty service members (32 men, 1 woman; average age, 27y) who sustained polytrauma injuries while serving in OIF and OEF and underwent electrodiagnostic testing from October 2003 to January 2007. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Nerve conduction studies and electromyography consistent with traumatic, peripheral nerve injuries. Results: During inpatient rehabilitation, 33 service members underwent electrodiagnostic testing for suspected peripheral nerve injuries. Average age was 27 with 32 men and 1 woman. 5 of the 33 cases were excluded as there was no evidence of traumatic peripheral nerve injury. Of the remaining 28 cases, the mechanism of injury was divided between 10 injuries related to blast, 8 from gunshot wounds, 9 from motor vehicle collisions, and 1 crush injury. 9 brachial plexopathies, 1 lumbosacral plexopathy, 11 multiple nerve injuries, and 9 single nerve injuries were sustained. The upper extremities were involved more than twice as often as the lower extremities, with a total of 27 upper extremity versus only 11 lower extremity injuries. There was 1 case of facial nerve injury and 1 case of phrenic nerve injury. Conclusions: There needs to be a high index of suspicion for peripheral nerve injuries associated with polytrauma. Due to the complex nature of their injuries, these patients may have plexopathies, multiple nerve injuries, or single nerve injuries that coexist with orthopedic and soft tissue damage to an extremity. Electrodiagnostic testing should be performed on any neuromuscular deficit not explained by a central nervous system process.

Cold intolerance following median and ulnar nerve injuries: prognosis and predictors

This study describes the predictors for cold intolerance and the relationship to sensory recovery after median and ulnar nerve injuries. The study population consisted of 107 patients 2 to 10 years after median, ulnar or combined median and ulnar nerve injuries. Patients were asked to fill out the Cold Intolerance Severity Score (CISS) questionnaire and sensory recovery was measured using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. Fifty-six percent of the patients with a single nerve injury and 70% with a combined nerve injury suffered abnormal cold intolerance. Patients with no return of sensation had dramatically higher CISS-scores than patients with normal sensory recovery. Females had higher CISS scores post-injury than males. Cold intolerance did not diminish over the years. Patients with higher CISS scores needed more time to return to their work. Age, additional arterial injury, site or type of the injury and dominance of the hand were not found to have a significant influence on cold intolerance.

Early psychological stress after forearm nerve injuries: a predictor for long-term functional outcome and return to productivity.

Forearm and wrist injuries can result in a nonfunctional hand caused by loss of motor and sensory functions. Psychological stress is known to accompany traumatic hand injuries and may therefore affect functional outcome. The authors conducted a retrospective study of 107 patients diagnosed with a median, ulnar, or combined median-ulnar nerve injury (79% response rate) who completed a questionnaire package consisting of the Impact of Event Scale (IES); Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; and a questionnaire concerning return to work and time off work. In an outpatient setting, motor and sensory recovery were examined. Ninety-four percent of those studied experienced early psychological stress. Thirty-six percent of patients reported sufficient symptoms 1 month postoperatively to be classified as in need for psychological treatment (IES score > 30 points). Combined median-ulnar nerve injuries (mean, 35.0 +/- 20.3 points [standard deviation]) were accompanied by a higher psychological stress compared with single nerve injuries (median injuries: mean, 24.2 +/- 20.6 points; ulnar injuries: mean, 22.6 +/- 19.5 points; p = 0.049 and p = 0.021 respectively). Multiple linear regression adjusting for age, gender, and severity of the trauma revealed an association between the IES score and the functional symptom score (beta = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.65), mean time off work (beta = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.25-0.75), and motor recovery (grip: beta = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.09-0.65; tip-pinch: beta = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.13-0.80). Patients with higher scores on the IES were found to be at increased risk for incapacity for work (odds ratio, 3.32; 95% CI, 1.60-6.91). Higher education was found to be a protecting variable for posttraumatic psychopathology (beta = -0.23; 95% CI, -6.05--0.246). This study demonstrated a high level of early posttraumatic psychological stress after forearm and wrist nerve injuries. These data provide evidence that functional outcome and work resumption are influenced negatively by early psychological stress, independent from severity of the somatic trauma. This indicates that outcome after upper extremity nerve injuries may be influenced positively by psychological intervention.

Retrospective analysis of neurapraxia and axonotmesis injuries of select peripheral nerves of the foot and ankle and their conservative and surgical treatment (external neurolysis and neurectomy)

There is a paucity of scientific literature that has reviewed the conservative and surgical treatment efficacy for the management of injuries causing neurapraxia and axonotmesis. This retrospective study evaluates the clinical outcomes of certain treatments for these injuries. Twenty-seven patients fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria for the study, and represented both genders and a wide variety of ages, weights, levels of education, and backgrounds. Surgical intervention resulted in a slightly better clinical outcome when compared to conservative therapies. Patients undergoing surgery for a single nerve problem improved more than those who underwent surgery when three or more nerves were involved. Failure was most often associated with: 1) multiple nerve injuries, 2) a previous history of psychopathology, and 3) application of conservative therapy without surgical intervention for single nerve injury.