Paroxysmal autonomic instability with dystonia (PAID) is a rare complication of brain injury. Symptoms of PAID include diaphoresis, hyperthermia, hypertension, tachycardia, and tachypnea accompanied by hypertonic movement. Herein, we present the case of a 44-year-old female patient, who was diagnosed with paraneoplastic limbic encephalopathy caused by thyroid papillary cancer. The patient exhibited all the symptoms of PAID. On the basis that the symptoms were unresponsive to antispastic medication and her liver function test was elevated, we performed alcohol neurolysis of the musculocutaneous nerve followed by botulinum toxin type A (BNT-A) injection into the biceps brachii and brachialis. Unstable vital signs and hypertonia were relieved after chemodenervation. Accordingly, alcohol neurolysis and BNT-A injection are proposed as a treatment option for intractable PAID.
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To assess the relative effectiveness of three injections methods suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) alone, intra-articular steroid injection (IAI) alone, or both-on relief of hemiplegic shoulder pain.
We recruited 30 patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain after stroke. SSNB was performed in 10 patients, IAI in 10 patients, and a combination of two injections in 10 patients. All were ultrasonography guided. Each patient's maximum passive range of motion (ROM) in the shoulder was measured, and the pain intensity level was assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS). Repeated measures were performed on pre-injection, and after injection at 1 hour, 1 week, and 1 month. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman tests.
All variables that were repeatedly measured showed significant differences in shoulder ROM with time (p<0.05), but there was no difference according injection method. In addition, VAS was statistically significantly different with time, but there was no difference by injection method. Pain significantly decreased until a week after injection, but pain after a month was relatively increased. However, pain was decreased compared to pre-injection.
The three injection methods significantly improved shoulder ROM and pain with time, but no statistically significant difference was found between them.
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To compare the long-term effects and advantages of ultrasound (US)-guided selective cervical nerve root block with fluoroscopy (FL)-guided transforaminal block.
From March 2009 to November 2012, 162 patients received steroid injections for lower cervical radicular pain. A total of 114 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All procedures were performed by using US or FL. We compared the intravascular injections during the procedure with the effects and functional scales at 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure between the two groups. Successful treatments occurred when patients obtained significant pain reliefs (as measured by >50% improvements in the verbal numerical scale [VNS] score and >40% improvements in the neck disability index [NDI] score) and reported a patient satisfaction score of 3 or 4 points at 12 months after the injection. Image analysis of intravascular injection and chart review were performed. Logistic regression was performed to reveal the correlations between successful treatments and variables (patient's age, gender, duration of the disease, cause, injection method, and radiologic finding).
The VNS and NDI improved 3 months after the injection and continued to improve until 12 months for both groups. But there were no statistical differences in changes of VNS, NDI, and effectiveness between these two groups. The proportion of patients with successful treatment is illustrated as 62.5% in US-guided group and 58% in FL-guided group at 12 months. There were no significant differences between the groups or during follow-up periods. Three cases of the intravascular injections were done in FL-guided group.
The US-guided selective cervical nerve root blocks are facilitated by identifying critical vessels at unexpected locations relative to the foramen and to protect injury to such vessels, which is the leading cause of reported complications from FL-guided transforaminal blocks. On treatment effect, significant long-term improvements in functions and pain reliefs were observed in both groups after the intervention. However, significant differences were not observed between the groups. Therefore, the US-guided selective cervical nerve root block was shown to be as effective as the FL-guided transforaminal block in pain reliefs and functional improvements, in addition to the absence of radiation and protection vessel injury at real-time imaging.
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Method26 cerebral palsy children with spastic hip adductor muscles went under inhalation general anesthesia by anesthesiologist for phenol block of obturator nerve. After induction with thiopental sodium and sustained with sevoflurane by face mask without the use of muscle relaxant, the vital signs including heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation were closely monitored throughout the procedure. The obturator nerve block was carried out with 5% phenol using a stimulator. Modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and range of motion of hip were measured before and after the procedure to compare the effects of nerve block.
ResultsNo significant differences were observed from the vital signs before, during and after the procedure. The MAS score improved from average 2.50±0.71 to 1.12±0.32. The range of motion increased from 24.31±12.32o and 25.88±12.28o right and left relatively to 39.62±10.10o and 40.96±11.14o.
ConclusionBoth spasticity and range of motion of hip adductor muscles improved significantly after obturator nerve block with 5% phenol under inhalation general anesthesia in the operating room with face mask, and no adverse effects or complications were seen in all 26 cerebral palsy children. Therefore phenol nerve block under inhalation general anesthesia in operation room for cerebral palsy children with poor cooperation or positioning difficulty due to spasticity should be considered as a useful method.
Method: 33 cases with elective operation for hallux valgus were prospectively investigated. All blocks were performed with the aid of a peripheral nerve stimulator, and 0.5% pucaine was injected in a dose of 1.5 mg/kg when minimal stimulator output still elicited a slight motor response of the foot. In evaluating the analgesics effects of the nerve block, the intensity of pain was assessed by using VAS before, immediately after, and at given time intervals during 36 hours. In the control group, the pain scores were assessed after immediate post-operation and at the given time intervals during 36 hours. The nerve block group rated their level of satisfaction at the first visit of out-patient clinic after discharge.
Results: There was significant pain-control effect at least during 24 hours after the nerve block. The patient's satisfaction was high and they had no severe complications.
Conclusion: Block of sciatic nerve in the popliteal fossa provides high satisfaction as the safe effective pain-control method after hallux valgus surgery, so it may be available method for postoperative analgesia after another foot surgery. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2003; 27: 102-105)
Objective: In the management of spasticity, intramuscular neurolysis with small amount of dilute aqueous phenol has proved to be a useful measure. But, considerable problem has taken place in utilization of phenol. This study was attempted to compare the effect of phenol and alcohol for the peripheral nerve blocking in the management of spasticity.
Method: Intraneural injection of 5% phenol, 50% alcohol and 90% alcohol solution carried out in each group of 10 rats. A total of 30 rat were injected and examined electrophysiologically before and after blocking the nerve (24 hour, 1 weeks, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks). The randomized one rat of each group was sacrificed for the histological examination of the sciatic nerve at every examined day.
Results: There was no difference of the distal latencies and amplitudes of compound muscle action potentials among the groups before injection. The latencies were prolonged at 24 hours post-injection and shortened at 1 week post-injection in all the groups. The amplitudes were markedly decreased at 24 hours post-injection and increased at 1 week post- injection and reached the pre-injection value at 8 week post-injection in all the groups. Histologic studies showed necrosis at 1 week post-injection and regeneration at 2 week post- injection in 50% and 90% ethanol groups. Phenol injection group showed necrosis at 4 week post-injection and regeneration after 8 weeks.
Conclusion: Our preliminary experience with alcohol for peripheral nerve blocking with encouraging result has been described.
This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of pudendal nerve block in the dorsal approach under EMG monitoring. The patient is placed in the prone position. The location of pudendal nerve is identified using the both ischial tuberosities and greater trochanter. We have performed the pudenal nerve block with 5% phenol solution, under the EMG monitoring. The patient was able to void with percussion method. There has been no impairment in urinary continence.
We experienced an excellent effect of bilateral pudendal nerve block in the dorsal approach, under EMG montoring, using 5% phenol solution in detrusor sphincter dyssynergia of neurogenic bladder.
Objective: To find the characteristics of the nerve stimulator for the peripheral nerve blockade.
Method: We studied four different nerve stimulators currently available in the clinical setting. The output characteristics(wave shape, voltage and duration of the stimulus impulse) were measured for each stimulator using an oscilloscope. Target current from 0 mA to 5 mA and load resistances from 200 Ω to 10 kΩ were selected to model the normal ranges of operating current and tissue impedance when performing peripheral nerve block technique.
Results: There was a marked variation in performance of nerve stimulators depending on the target current value and resistances. Measured pulse width was not identical to the target pulse width in three nerve stimulators. Measured voltage with a fixed resistance was smaller in two nerve stimulators than the target voltage which was supposed to be produce in target current value of same resistance. One nerve stimulator showed the differences of calculated current value according to the used resistances.
Conclusion: For the successful nerve block, it is important for the operator to be aware of the design and functional limitations of the nerve stimulator being used in clinical practice.
Objective: We compared a few variables such as the type of needle, the direction of bevel, and the effect of stimulation duration in percutaneous peripheral nerve blockade. We also studied the real distribution of injected drug through nerve biopsy.
Method: The sciatic nerve-tibialis posterior muscle preparation of rabbit was chosen as a model. Experimental rabbits were divided into 3 groups: Group 1 (16 legs), use of insulated needle and 100μs stimulation duration; Group 2 (9 legs), use of insulated needle and 240μs stimulation duration; Group 3 (6 legs), use of uninsulated needle and 100μs stimulation duration. The mixed solution, 0.1 cc, of 5% phenol and indian ink was injected in 10 legs and the muscles were obtained to observe the spreads of injected solution after 2 weeks.
Results: The minimal stimulation currents of group 1, 2, 3 were 0.49 mA, 0.37 mA, 2.07 mA, respectively. The distance between needle and sciatic nerve sheath of group 1, 2, 3 were 0.09 mm, 0.11 mm, 0.20 mm in width, and 1.84 mm, 3.33 mm, 4.50 mm in depth, respectively. The current required to stimulate the nerve increased rapidly as the tip of the insulated needle passed the nerve, and the direction of bevel had no effect on the minimal stimulation current. Injected indian ink was located alongside the perineurium.
Conclusion: In three methods, the most exact method was the use of insulated needle and 100s stimulation duration. The needle tip was located 1.84 mm past the nerve.
Objective: To assess the clinical manifestation of acute herpes zoster associated pain (AHP) and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) and nerve block effect in AHP and PHN.
Method: We assessed twenty eight patients by physical examination and pain questionairre, and nerve block effect in thirty one patients. We injected local anesthetics and triamcinolone into nerve root or trunk in study group, and saline in control group. The effect was assessed by visual analogue scale.
Result: 1. Clinical manifestation: There was high incidence in thoracic dermatome. AHP and PHN patients expressed "sharp" pain. Pain rating index of AHP and PHN were 32.9, 33.0. 2. Nerve block effect: There was no nerve block effect in AHP (p＞0.05) and PHN (p＞0.05), but four patients of PHN patients in study group had significant pain relief, who suffered from pain during 2 month, 10 month, 6 years, 8 years.
Conclusion: AHP and PHN had variable clinical manifestation but no difference between them. There was no nerve block effect in AHP and PHN but we can consider nerve block as a additive method for pain relief of PHN because some patients responded to nerve block and there was no significant complication in nerve block.
Objective: The purpose of this study was to titrate the nerve block effect of phenol with different concentrations of phenol solution by electrophysiological and mechanical measurements.
Method: Right tibial nerves of twenty three adult rabbits were blocked by phenol solution with different concentrations (3%, 5%). Nerve conduction study for compound muscle action potential (CMAP), tension by electrical stimulation, and stiffness (slope) of stretch reflex of the triceps surae were performed after nerve block (4 weeks, 8 weeks, 16 weeks). The ratios of each values of right limb to those of left limb were used to evaluate the nerve block effect.
Results: The ratios of CMAP amplitude, tension, and slope of 3% group were 0.36, 0.55, and 0.56 at 4 weeks and those of 5% group were 0.21, 0.25, and 0.58. There were statistically significant differences of the CMAP amplitude and tension ratios, however there was no statistically significant difference of the slope ratio between two groups at 4 weeks. The ratios of CMAP amplitude, tension, and slope of 5% phenol group were increased with time.
Conclusion: Nerve block effects by 5% phenol solution were greater than 3%. These data suggest that nerve block effect can be titrated with concentration of phenol solution.
Objective: To verify the effectiveness of nerve block to the femoral nerve (motor branch of rectus femoris) for stiff-legged gait in spastic patients and to identify factors which influence its effect.
Method: EMG-guided femoral nerve (motor branch of rectus femoris) block by 2% lidocaine and/or 5% phenol was performed on 33 patients with stiff-legged gait: 22 were spastic hemiplegia after stroke; 10 were spastic paraparesis; 1 was spastic diplegia. Subjective improvement in gait performance was evaluated. Pre- and post-block comparisons were made by objective parameters, including gait speed and sagittal knee kinematics.
Results: Twenty five of all subjects showed subjective improvement in gait performance and significant differences of pre- and postblock gait data after nerve block by 2% lidocaine. Eighteen of 19 patients who had activity of rectus femoris alone at swing phase showed subjective improvement in gait performance and significant differences of pre- and postblock gait data after this procedure. Twenty two of 25 patients with sufficient strength of hip flexor showed the same result as the above. There were no significant differences between the subgroups depending on the degree of the quadriceps spasticity. 5% phenol block for more long-term effect also showed significant increase in knee flexion at swing phase in these 25 patients.
Conclusion: Femoral nerve (motor branch of rectus femoris) block can be a effective treatment modality for stiff-legged gait. Sufficient strength of hip flexor muscle, rectus femoris activity without activities of vastus muscles at swing phase on dynamic EMG are the factors which predict the favorable outcome in this procedure. But, diagnostic block with lidocaine is a mandatory to predict its effect in clinical practice.
The posterior tibial nerve was partially blocked with 7% phenol solutions for the relief of severe spasticity in cerebral palsy and brain injured patients. Forty patients were included in this study. Among them thirty five patients were cerebral palsy and five patients were brain injured.
A phenol injection was performed to the posterior tibial nerve at the popliteal fossa with the patients in a prone position. Total injected dose in each patient was 0.40 to 4.00 cc (average 2.06⁑0.96 cc). The dose was far below the toxic level and no significant side effects were noted except for a few cases of local paresthesia and tenderness. The range of dorsiflexion of the ankle was increased and the gait pattern improved in most of the patients one month after the injection. The H-reflex latency was prolonged after the injection compared with the pre-injection latency.
The phenol injection can greatly facilitate the rehabilitation process of the patient by reducing the need for physical therapy and bracing, increasing the patient's ambulation ability, and decreasing the development of secondary leg deformities.
In conclusion, with the easiness, simplicity, safety, low cost, and a selective reduction of spasticity in the group of muscles, the remarkable therapeutic benefits of posterior tibial nerve blocked with 7% phenol solutions warrant the more widespread use of this technique in younger cerebral palsy patients before developing fixed soft tissue contractures.
Chemical neurolysis can be an extremely effective intervention for reducing spasticity. Phenol nerve block as a method of chemical neurolysis has been used over 40 years, nevertheless, many clinicians remain reluctant to perform this procedure. This is largely due to the fear of its side effects and complications such as excessive muscle weakness or increased spasticity of antagonistic muscles.
The purpose of this study was to titrate the nerve block effects of phenol with different concentrations and different volumes of the phenol solution. Left tibial nerves of forty eight adult rabbits were injected with phenol solution of different concentrations(5%, 4%, 3%) and volumes(0.3 ml, 0.2 ml, 0.1 ml) into the epineural sheath. Nerve conduction study of the gastrocnemius muscle was performed before and after the nerve blocks(1day, 1week, 2weeks, 4weeks, 8weeks). The proportion of compound muscle action potential(CMAP) amplitudes and areas before and after the nerve blocks was used for the evaluation of nerve block effect.
There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion among three volumes of phenol solution(p＜0.05). However there was no statistical difference in the proportion among three concentrations of phenol solution(p＞0.05) although the higher concentration of phenol solution showed the tendency for smaller proportion. The area of histological degeneration appeared at 2 weeks following nerve block alongside the perineurium. The depth of degeneration area of nerve fascicle varied according to the distance from injection point.
These data suggest that the nerve block effect of phenol can be titrated more easily with the volume of phenol solution rather than the concentration until 8 weeks after the nerve block. The variation of the extent of degeneration with different volumes of phenol solution seems to be the mechanism for the titration.
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