11/474. Distal neuralgic amyotrophy.Neuralgic amyotrophy consists of severe pain around the shoulder and arm followed by weakness in one or several muscles of the same area. We describe four patients with distal neuralgic amyotrophy in whom acute, severe, and transient pain around the shoulder or arm was followed by weakness of the forearm and hand muscles only. Minor sensory symptoms were present in only one patient. The presence of structural lesions causing the extent of the forearm and hand motor deficit was excluded by ancillary examinations. Electrophysiological studies showed a motor axonopathy and minimal sensory axonopathy. A follow-up of 2 years or longer showed either spontaneous improvement or residual motor deficit. Unfamiliarity with a clinically distal localization of neuralgic amyotrophy may result in misdiagnosis of lower cervical (poly)radiculopathy in view of the distal localization of the motor deficit and the high prevalence of coincidental abnormalities of the lower cervical spine on plain radiography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = muscle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
12/474. Mitochondrial 3243 A-->G mutation (MELAS mutation) associated with painful muscle stiffness.The mitochondrial mutation A-->G at nucleotide position 3243 is associated with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) and other mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. We found this mutation in a 61-year-old patient who developed at the age of 54 a myopathy with painful muscle stiffness as the predominant symptom. Additionally hypacusis, a mild hemisensory syndrome and impaired glucose tolerance were present. Muscle histopathology showed few ragged red fibers. The mutation was detected heteroplasmatically in dna from muscle and blood. So far painful muscle stiffness has not been a known phenotype of the 3243 mutation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3.5keywords = muscle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
13/474. The use of patient-controlled boluses of local anaesthetic via a psoas sheath catheter in the management of malignant pain.patients who develop malignant infiltration of the psoas muscle and the lumbar plexus often experience a severe complex pain syndrome characterised by deep somatic pain, neuropathic pain and psoas spasm. Conventional analgesic regimes may not relieve these symptoms adequately. We describe the use of patient-controlled boluses of local anaesthetic via a psoas sheath catheter in this scenario. The recent availability of portable infusion pumps with the capability to deliver large volume boluses with long lockout times made this intervention possible and allowed the patient to be discharged home with effective relief of pain.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = muscle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
14/474. Idiopathic small-fiber sensory neuropathy in childhood: A diagnosis based on objective findings on punch skin biopsy specimens.Idiopathic small-fiber sensory neuropathy (SFSN) has not previously been reported in children. Although affected patients complain of neuropathic pain, this condition is often difficult to diagnose because of the few objective physical signs and normal nerve conduction studies. We report a girl with idiopathic SFSN in whom the results of a sural nerve biopsy were normal, but punch skin biopsy revealed reduced intraepidermal nerve fiber density and established the diagnosis. Idiopathic SFSN should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children who have burning limb pain with no routine electrophysiologic or pathologic abnormalities.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.20304690503652keywords = limb (Clic here for more details about this article) |
15/474. Painful pectoralis major myospasm as a result of sternal wound reconstruction: complete resolution with bilateral pectoral neurectomies.We report a patient with a highly unusual and previously unreported complication with the use of the pectoralis major muscle to treat the infected median sternotomy. The diagnosis of painful myospasm was made by a combination of physical findings and exclusion of other conditions such as recurrent infection. Treatment by pectoral denervation was relatively simple and highly successful. patients with chest-wall pain after sternal wound reconstruction should have myospasm entertained as a possible cause.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = muscle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
16/474. reflex sympathetic dystrophy in pregnancy: nine cases and a review of the literature.OBJECTIVE: To better understand the diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the lower extremities in pregnant women. SUBJECT: disease analysis using a retrospective series of nine cases and a review of the literature (57 patients and 159 sites of reflex sympathetic dystrophy). RESULTS: This disorder should be considered in any painful pelvic girdle syndrome or lower extremity pain. The hip is involved in 88% of cases. Symptoms develop in the third trimester of pregnancy, between the 26th and the 34th weeks. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides an early, accurate, and very specific diagnosis, although standard radiography continues to be the first-line diagnostic tool. Fracture occurs in 19% of patients. The etiology and pathophysiology remain unclear, although pregnancy itself appears to play a significant role in this disease. Although locoregional mechanical factors partly explain reflex sympathetic dystrophy. hypertriglyceridemia appears to be a risk factor. This disorder develops independently, but the conclusion of pregnancy appears to be necessary for cure. reflex sympathetic dystrophy does not appear to affect the course of the pregnancy. Indications for cesarean delivery remain obstetrical and should be discussed when a fracture is involved. Simple therapeutic management using gentle physical therapy provides rapid and complete recovery in 2-3 months. CONCLUSION: reflex sympathetic dystrophy during pregnancy remains poorly understood and underestimated. Only joints of the inferior limbs are involved. MRI appears to be the best diagnostic tool. Pathogenesis remains unclear. Fractures are not rare. Treatment should be non-aggressive.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.20304690503652keywords = limb (Clic here for more details about this article) |
17/474. rhabdomyolysis in DOMS.A 26-year-old man with a previous history of external twin bursitis was remitted to our Department for a bone scintigraphy. Before the study, the patient performed an elevated number of intense sprints. Bone scintigraphy showed a bilaterally increased activity in both anterior rectum muscles suggesting rhabdomyolysis. Biochemical studies and MRT confirmed the diagnosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.5keywords = muscle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
18/474. Painful tonic/dystonic spasms in sjogren's syndrome.Three patients with sjogren's syndrome are presented in whom frequent tonic/dystonic spasms of the limbs developed during the course of the illness. These patients' clinical findings suggested spinal cord involvement, a localization that was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging in two patients. In one patient the painful movements responded to treatment with phenytoin and in one other to baclofen. sjogren's syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of conditions that produce tonic/dystonic limb spasms.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.40609381007305keywords = limb (Clic here for more details about this article) |
19/474. Exertional myalgia syndrome associated with diminished serum ammonia elevation in ischemic exercise testing.A 36-year-old man with chronic severe exertional myalgias had a normal serum lactate elevation and diminished serum ammonia elevation on an ischemic forearm exercise test (IFET). The IFET is commonly performed in the evaluation of patients with complaints of exertional myalgias, cramps, and rhabdomyolysis. The finding of a normal serum lactate elevation and a diminished serum ammonia elevation after ischemic exercise is usually considered indicative of myoadenylate deaminase deficiency. However, myoadenylate deaminase activity was normal in this man's muscle biopsy specimen. This case suggests that a diminished serum ammonia elevation in the IFET is not always indicative of myoadenylate deaminase deficiency, a disorder of ammonia production. A diminished serum ammonia elevation in the IFET could also reflect an impairment of net ammonia efflux from muscle into blood.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 22.007798080572keywords = cramp, muscle (Clic here for more details about this article) |
20/474. amputation: two views.It has been over one year now since his surgery, and Allen has returned to school and work, ambulating on his prosthesis most of the time. As his phantom limb pain decreased and his proficiency in walking increased, his acceptance of his amputation has been demonstrated in his comments and references to himself and his relations with others. As he states, the more comfortable he is about his amputation, the easier it is for others to accept and relate to him. This, I think, is the key to approaching that final stage of acceptance mentioned earlier. The more we can help our patients accept their amputation initially by supporting them through this crisis period, the easier it will be for them to relate to others and grow emotionally from these relationships.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.20304690503652keywords = limb (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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