Inter-rater reliability determination for two tests of ulnar nerve conduction across the elbow.

Introduction: The inter-rater variability in determination of ulnar nerve conduction across the elbow compromises test accuracy. The extent of this variability is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine and compare inter-rater reliability of variables derived from 2 different ulnar nerve conduction studies (NCSs) across the elbow.

Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow: Five new things.

Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE) is the second most frequent compression neuropathy. While other diagnostic imaging tools are emerging to assist in the diagnosis of UNE, electrodiagnosis remains the gold standard. However, the electrodiagnostic approach to UNE presents unique challenges limiting its diagnostic accuracy.

Genetic polymorphisms associated with exertional rhabdomyolysis.

Exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER) occurs in young, otherwise healthy, individuals principally during strenuous exercise, athletic, and military training. Although many risk factors have been offered, it is unclear why some individuals develop ER when participating in comparable levels of physical exertion under identical environmental conditions and others do not. This study investigated possible genetic polymorphisms that might help explain ER.

Clinical features and electrodiagnosis of ulnar neuropathies.

In this review, we delineate clinical, electrodiagnostic, and radiographic features of ulnar mononeuropathies. Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE) is most commonly due to lesions at the level of the retroepicondylar groove (RTC), with approximately 25% at the humeroulnar arcade (HUA). The term 'cubital tunnel syndrome' should be reserved for the latter.

Serum creatine kinase after exercise: drawing the line between physiological response and exertional rhabdomyolysis.

Introduction: In this investigation we assessed the spectrum of creatine kinase (CK) responses in military recruits undergoing basic training.

Methods: Musculoskeletal examination data, questionnaire findings, and CK levels were obtained from 499 recruits at days 0, 3, 7, and 14 of training. Correlations of CK with ethnicity, age, body mass index, exercise, muscle pain, and climate were obtained.

Conduction time for a 6-cm segment of the ulnar nerve across the elbow: reference values for the 6-cm conduction time test.

Current electrodiagnostic studies for Ulnar nerve mononeuropathy at the elbow have substandard sensitivity and specificity. Reference values for a novel, screening electrodiagnostic test for ulnar nerve mononeuropathy at the elbow were obtained bilaterally from 72 subjects without any upper extremity signs or symptoms. The test used two, 3-cm straight line distances, one proximal, and one distal to the medial epicondyle to avoid a curvilinear measurement.

Multiple cranial neuropathies.

Patients presenting with multiple cranial neuropathies are not uncommon in neurologic clinical practice. The evaluation of these patients can often be overwhelming due to the vast and complicated etiologies as well as the potential for devastating neurologic outcomes. Dysfunction of the cranial nerves can occur anywhere in their course from intrinsic brainstem dysfunction to their peripheral courses.

Light therapy and supplementary Riboflavin in the SOD1 transgenic mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS).

Background And Objective: Familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons and death. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress play an important role in motor neuron loss in ALS. Light therapy (LT) has biomodulatory effects on mitochondria.

Controversial entrapment neuropathies.

There is no significant disagreement about the major common entrapment neuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, and peroneal neuropathy at the knee. In contrast, there is a group of entrapment syndromes about which there is major disagreement, including whether or not they even exist. There are other entrapment syndromes about which clinical questions arise on a regular basis, and which are the subject of this discussion.

Sensory physiology assessed by evoked potentials in survivors of poliomyelitis.

Evidence suggests that sensory loss may occur in a proportion of patients affected by poliomyelitis. We hypothesize that sensory problems may be a lasting sequela in some polio survivors. Sensory pathways in polio survivors were evaluated clinically and electrophysiologically using sensory evoked potentials (SEPs).

Evaluation and management of peripheral nerve injury.

Common etiologies of acute traumatic peripheral nerve injury (TPNI) include penetrating injury, crush, stretch, and ischemia. Management of TPNI requires familiarity with the relevant anatomy, pathology, pathophysiology, and the surgical principles, approaches and concerns. Surgical repair of TPNI is done at varying time intervals after the injury, and there are a number of considerations in deciding whether and when to operate.

Statin myopathy.

Many different classes of medications can cause toxic myopathy. One of the most frequently implicated classes is the statins. Statin myotoxicity ranges from asymptomatic creatine kinase elevations or myalgias to muscle necrosis and fatal rhabdomyolysis.

Physiology of the motor cortex in polio survivors.

We hypothesized that the corticospinal system undergoes functional changes in long-term polio survivors. Central motor conduction times (CMCTs) to the four limbs were measured in 24 polio survivors using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Resting motor thresholds and CMCTs were normal.

Botulinum toxin type-a in the prevention of migraine: a double-blind controlled trial.

Introduction: Migraine is a frequent medical complaint. In military populations, migraine can be detrimental to productivity and troop readiness, and can be disqualifying for service in some military duty specialties. This study assessed the effectiveness of botulinum neurotoxin type-A (BTX-A) in reducing the frequency of migraines in known migraineurs.

Diagnostic ultrasound for nerve transection.

The current approach for localizing and assessing the severity of traumatic peripheral nerve injuries involves clinical evaluation and electrodiagnostic studies. However, the ability of this approach to determine the extent of nerve damage within the first 6 weeks after trauma is limited. This is problematic because outcome is improved with early surgical intervention after complete nerve transection.

Wartime traumatic cerebral vasospasm: recent review of combat casualties.

Objective: Blast-related neurotrauma is associated with the severest casualties from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). A consequence of this is cerebral vasospasm. This study evaluated all inpatient neurosurgical consults related to battle injury from OIF.

Potential outcome factors in subacute combined degeneration: review of observational studies.

Background: Subacute combined degeneration is an acquired myelopathy caused by vitamin B12 deficiency. Therapy with B12 leads to improvement in most but to complete recovery in only a few patients. Prognostic indicators in subacute combined degeneration are unknown; therefore, predicting complete recovery of neurologic deficits is challenging.

A comparison of fatigue scales in postpoliomyelitis syndrome.

Objective: To examine the applicability and validity of traditional fatigue questionnaires in postpoliomyelitis syndrome (PPS) patients with disabling fatigue.

Design: Cross-sectional study. PPS and disabling fatigue were ascertained according to published criteria.

Multimodal monitoring during emergency hemicraniectomy for vein of Labbe thrombosis.

Introduction: Cortical venous thrombosis is a rarely encountered mechanism for intracerebral hemorrhage. Multimodal monitoring may guide neurosurgical and critical care treatment in the setting of cerebral venous thrombosis.

Methods: We report a 37-year-old service member who was admitted to a local field hospital for complaints of severe headache and left ear pain during Operation Iraqi Freedom.