Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the usefulness of muscle ultrasound in evaluating dissociated small hand muscle atrophy, termed 'split hand', and its feasibility in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Methods: Forty-four patients with ALS, 18 normal subjects and 9 patients with other neuromuscular disorders were included in this study. The hand muscles were divided into three regions, the median-innervated lateral hand muscle group (ML), the ulnar-innervated lateral hand muscle (UL) and the ulnar-innervated medial hand muscle (UM), and the muscle echo intensity (EI) and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) were measured. We calculated the split hand index (SHI) using muscle EI (SHI) and CMAP (SHI) for comparison among groups. The SHI was derived by dividing muscle EI (or CMAP) measured at the ML and UL by that measured at the UM.
Results: The SHI was significantly higher in patients with ALS (51.7±28.3) than in normal controls (29.7±9.9) and disease controls with other neuromuscular disorders (36.5±7.3; P<0.001), particularly in upper limb-onset ALS (66.5±34.0; P<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that the SHI had significantly better diagnostic accuracy than the SHI.
Conclusions: The SHI was more sensitive in evaluating dissociated small hand muscle atrophy compared with the SHI and may be a reliable diagnostic marker for differentiating ALS from other neuromuscular disorders and healthy controls.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2017-317917 | DOI Listing |
JPRAS Open
March 2025
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic, and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
Background: The excision of oropharyngeal carcinoma of more than 50% of the soft palate followed by static reconstruction may result in functional deficits, including velopharyngeal insufficiency, swallowing, and speech difficulties. We describe a functional soft palate reconstruction technique aimed at restoring aeromechanical and acoustic functions, enabling swallowing without nasal regurgitation and speech with low nasalance.
Material And Methods: We developed a new operative technique, using muscle transfer and a free flap to create a dynamic reconstruction.
J Hand Microsurg
March 2025
Operative Research Unit of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy.
Introduction: Soft-tissue sarcomas arising in the thigh may require total or subtotal compartmentectomy, with subsequent need for functional reconstruction with free functional muscle transfer (FFMT). We present our series, describing a new approach with chimeric propeller antero-lateral thigh-vastus lateralis (ALT-VL) free flap, which allows for independent muscle inset and soft tissue defect resurfacing.
Patient And Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was performed, analyzing all patients referred to Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy, between 2018 and 2023 for soft-tissue sarcomas of the thigh requiring wide excision and reconstruction with functional ALT-VL.
J Orthop
July 2025
Department of Hand Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
Aims And Objectives: Dynamic incursion of lumbrical muscle proximal to the distal edge of transverse carpal ligament (TCL) has been long debated for its role in causing median nerve compression in the carpal tunnel. This study aims to evaluate the pattern of lumbrical incursion into the carpal tunnel in various finger positions and determine their extent of presence and relationship with respect to the TCL and to each other in the carpal tunnel.
Materials & Methods: Dissection of 30 fresh frozen cadaveric hands was done to map the lumbrical muscles.
Open Access J Sports Med
January 2025
Prodia Clinical Laboratory, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Background: Sarcopenia is characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and poses a significant health challenge for older adults by increasing the risk of disability and decreasing quality of life. Yoga considers as a low-risk and beneficial exercise for older adults. This research aims to evaluate the potential of yoga practice as a preventive strategy against sarcopenia in Indonesian older adults.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Pain Res
January 2025
NXTSTIM INC. Department of Pain Medicine, San Diego, CA, USA.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Electronic Muscle Stimulation (EMS) are non-invasive therapies widely used for pain relief and neuromuscular adaptation. However, the clinical research supporting the efficacy of TENS in chronic pain management is limited by significant methodological flaws, including small sample sizes and inconsistent reporting of stimulation parameters. TENS modulates pain perception through various techniques, targeting specific nerve fibers and pain pathways.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!