Contralateral Oblique View Is Superior to the Lateral View for Lumbar Epidural Access.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of the contralateral oblique (CLO) view and the lateral view for lumbar interlaminar epidural access.

Design: After the epidural space was accessed, fluoroscopic images at eight different angles (antero-posterior view, multiple CLO, and lateral view) were prospectively obtained. Visualization and location of needle tip relative to bony landmarks were analyzed.

Contralateral oblique view is superior to lateral view for interlaminar cervical and cervicothoracic epidural access.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the reliability of the lateral fluoroscopic view and several contralateral oblique (CLO) views at different angles in visualizing and accurately predicting the position of the needle tip at the point of access in the posterior cervical and cervicothoracic epidural space.

Design: After the epidural space was accessed but before confirmation with contrast fluoroscopy, we prospectively obtained fluoroscopic images at eight different angles. Subsequent contrast injection confirmed epidural spread.

Computed tomography-based muscle attenuation and electrical impedance myography as indicators of trunk muscle strength independent of muscle size in older adults.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the associations of computed tomography-based x-ray attenuation and paraspinal electrical impedance myography measures of trunk muscles with absolute and relative (normalized by body weight) trunk extension strength, independent of muscle cross-sectional area.

Design: This is a cross-sectional study of mobility-limited community-dwelling older adults (34 women, 15 men; mean [SD] age, 78.2 [7.

Spinal cord stimulation for radicular pain following retained bullet in the spinal canal.

We are reporting on the implantation of a spinal cord stimulator to treat intractable radicular pain following a retained bullet fragment in the spinal canal. Such retained fragments are associated with risks including pain, neurological deficit, infection, toxic effects, and migration. Our patient was a young man with radicular pain and history of a gunshot entering the abdomen.

Electrical impedance myography in the diagnosis of radiculopathy.

Introduction: We sought to determine whether electrical impedance myography (EIM) could serve as a diagnostic procedure for evaluation of radiculopathy.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients with clinically and radiologically diagnosed cervical or lumbosacral radiculopathy who met a "gold standard" definition underwent EIM and standard needle electromyography (EMG) of multiple upper or lower extremity muscles.

Results: EIM reactance values revealed consistent reductions in the radiculopathy-affected myotomal muscles as compared with those on the unaffected side; the degree of asymmetry was associated strongly with the degree of EMG abnormality (P < 0.

Utilizing a handheld electrode array for localized muscle impedance measurements.

Introduction: Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is a noninvasive technique used for assessment of muscle health in which a high-frequency, low-amplitude electric current is applied to the skin overlying a muscle, and the resulting surface voltage is measured. We have previously used adhesive electrodes, application of which is inconvenient. We present data using a handheld electrode array (HEA) that we devised to expedite the EIM procedure in a clinical setting.

Musculocutaneous nerve injury after simulated freefall in a vertical wind-tunnel: a case report.

We report a case of a skydiver with isolated musculocutaneous nerve injury, which occurred after prolonged positioning of the arm during simulated freefall in a vertical wind-tunnel. Musculocutaneous nerve injury is rare, and the mechanism of isolated injury to this nerve is not entirely understood. Isolated peripheral nerve injuries such as this easily mimic other injuries and can be difficult to diagnose.