To evaluate the characteristics of cricopharyngeal dysfunction (CPD), the frequency, and correlation with a brain lesion in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke, and to provide basic data for developing a therapeutic protocol for dysphagia management.
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of a series of subjects post-stroke who underwent a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) from January 2009 to December 2015. VFSS images were recorded on videotape and analyzed. CPD was defined as the retention of more than 25% of residue in the pyriform sinus after swallowing. The location of the brain lesion was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging.
Among the 262 dysphagic patients with first-ever ischemic stroke, 15 (5.7%) showed CPD on the VFSS. Patients with an infratentorial lesion had a significantly higher proportion of CPD than those with a supratentorial lesion (p=0.003), and lateral medullary infarction was identified as the single independent predictor of CPD (multivariable analysis: odds ratio=19.417; confidence interval, 5.560–67.804; p<0.0001). Compared to patients without CPD, those with CPD had a significantly prolonged pharyngeal transit time, lower laryngeal elevation, and a higher pharyngeal constriction ratio and functional dysphagia scale score.
Overall, the results support the notion that an impaired upper esopharyngeal opening is likely related to the specific locations of brain lesions. The association of CPD with lateral medullary infarction can be explained based on the regulation of the pharyngolaryngeal motor system by the motor neurons present in the dorsal nucleus ambiguus. Overall, the results reveal the relation between CPD and the problems in the pharyngeal phase as well as the severity of dysphagia.
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To evaluate the effectiveness of lower energy flux density (EFD) extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in the early stage of avascular necrosis (AVN) of the femoral head.
Nineteen patients and 30 hips were enrolled. All subjects received 4 weekly sessions of ESWT, at different energy levels; group A (n=15; 1,000 shocks/session, EFD per shock 0.12 mJ/mm2) and group B (n=15; 1,000 shocks/session, EFD per shock 0.32 mJ/mm2). We measured pain by using the visual analog scale (VAS), and disability by using the Harris hip score, Hip dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS), and the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). To determine the effect of the lower EFD ESWT, we assessed the VAS, Harris hip score, HOOS, WOMAC of the subjects before and at 1, 3, and 6 months.
In both groups, the VAS, Harris hip score, HOOS, and WOMAC scores improved over time (p<0.05).
Lower EFD ESWT may be an effective method to improve the function and to relieve pain in the early stage of AVN.
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To evaluate the potential feasibility of application of the extended International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) Core Set for stroke.
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 40 stroke outpatients (>6 months after onset) admitted to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine for comprehensive rehabilitation. Clinical information of the patients were respectively evaluated to link to the 166 second-level categories of the extended ICF Core Set for stroke.
Clinical information could be linked to 111 different ICF categories, 58 categories of the body functions component, eight categories of the body structures component, 38 categories of the activities and participation component, and seven categories of the environmental factors component.
The body functions component might be feasible for application of the extended ICF Core Set for stroke to clinical settings. The activities and participation component and environmental factors component may not be directly applied to clinical settings without additional evaluation tools including interview and questionnaire.
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Primary Sjögren syndrome, which involves lesions in both the brain and spinal cord, is rarely reported. Related symptoms, such as intractable pain due to central nervous system involvement, are very rare. A 73-year-old woman diagnosed with primary Sjögren syndrome manifested with subacute encephalopathy and extensive transverse myelitis. She complained of severe whole body neuropathic pain. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a non-enhancing ill-defined high intensity signal involving the posterior limb of the both internal capsule and right thalamus on a T2 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery image. Additionally, multifocal intramedullary ill-defined contrast-enhancing lesion with cord swelling from the C-spine to L-spine was also visible on the T2-weighted image. Her intractable pain remarkably improved after administration of concomitant oral doses of gabapentin, venlafaxine, and carbamazepine.
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Pneumorrhachis, caused by intraspinal air, is an exceptional but important radiographic finding that is accompanied by different etiologies. Pneumorrhachis, by itself, is usually asymptomatic and gets reabsorbed spontaneously. Therefore, the patients with pneumorrhachis are mostly managed conservatively. We encountered a unique case of atypical traumatic pneumorrhachis accompanied by paraparesis.
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