To demonstrate the prevalence and characteristics of subclinical ulnar neuropathy at the elbow in diabetic patients.
One hundred and five patients with diabetes mellitus were recruited for the study of ulnar nerve conduction analysis. Clinical and demographic characteristics were assessed. Electrodiagnosis of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow was based on the criteria of the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM1 and AANEM2). The inching test of the ulnar motor nerve was additionally performed to localize the lesion.
The duration of diabetes, the existence of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) symptoms, the duration of symptoms, and HbA1C showed significantly larger values in the DPN group (p<0.05). Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow was more common in the DPN group. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of cases that met the three diagnostic criteria between the no DPN group and the DPN group. The most common location for ulnar mononeuropathy at the elbow was the retrocondylar groove.
Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow is more common in patients with DPN. If the conduction velocities of both the elbow and forearm segments are decreased to less than 50 m/s, it may be useful to apply the AANEM2 criteria and inching test to diagnose ulnar neuropathy.
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Anterior cervical osteophytes are common and usually asymptomatic in elderly people. Due to mechanical compressions, inflammations, and tissues swelling of osteophytes, patients may be presented with multiple complications, such as dysphagia, dysphonia, dyspnea, and pulmonary aspiration. Paradoxical vocal cord motion is an uncommon disease characterized by vocal cord adductions during inspiration and/or expiration. This condition can create shortness of breath, wheezing, respiratory stridor or breathy dysphonia. We report a rare case demonstrating combined symptoms of dyspnea, dysphonia as well as dysphagia at the same time in a patient with asymptomatic anterior cervical osteophytes. Moreover, this is the first report demonstrating that anterior osteophytes can be a possible etiological factor for paradoxical vocal cord motion that induces serious respiratory symptoms.
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Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH) is a rare disorder of unknown etiology that is characterized by acute onset of disabling bone pain. The locally increased bone turnover and low bone mineral density (BMD) associated with this disorder indicate a potential role for an antiresorptive agent such as bisphosphonate as a treatment. A previously healthy 46-year-old man developed the sudden onset of pain in his right buttock and inguinal area, especially during walking and caused him to limp. A thorough medical workup including X-ray, MRI, and bone SPECT revealed transient osteoporosis of the hip, and he was treated with an infusion of zoledronate (5 mg). Two weeks later, he was fully recovered from pain and the gait disturbance. A follow-up MRI of the hip joint taken after 6 months showed complete resolution. The use of intravenous zoledronate provided a successful outcome in the treatment of TOH. The possibility of TOH should be considered in patients complaining of sudden hip pain and a limping gait. MR imaging played an important role for differentiation of TOH from other aggressive conditions with long term sequelae.
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