The journal of spinal cord medicine
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Effects of intravenous sodium amobarbital vs lidocaine on pain and sensory abnormalities in patients with spinal cord injury.
To compare the responses of patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) in regards to pain and sensory abnormalities to single blinded intravenous (i.v.) infusions of normal saline, sodium amobarbital, and lidocaine. ⋯ In this small study, the analgesic effect of sodium amobarbital and its ability to modify sensory abnormalities appeared superior to that of lidocaine.
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Tarlov cysts or spinal perineurial cysts are uncommon lesions. These are mostly incidental findings on magnetic resonance imaging or myelograms. The objectives of this study were to describe Tarlov cysts of the sacral region as a potential cause for retrograde ejaculations and review available management options. ⋯ Despite being mostly asymptomatic and an incidental finding, Tarlov cyst is an important clinical entity because of its tendency to increase in size with time. Tarlov cysts of the sacral and cauda equina region may be a rare underlying cause in otherwise unexplained retrograde ejaculations and infertility. Microsurgical excision may be a good option in a select group of patients.
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To investigate inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of electrical perceptual threshold (EPT) testing in assessing somatosensory function in healthy volunteers. ⋯ EPT is an objective, reproducible, and quantifiable method of assessing sensation in a control group. However, caution should be applied in certain dermatomes such as S2, where there was large variation between left and right side measurements.
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Spasticity after spinal cord injury (SCI) is commonly managed with oral and intrathecal baclofen (ITB), with less attention to the effects on voluntary motor control. Studies combining clinical and neurophysiologic assessments during dose optimization are rare. Study aims (a) systematically evaluate effects of varied doses of oral and ITB on clinical and neurophysiologic measures of strength and spasticity and (b) relate clinical and neurophysiologic findings. ⋯ This single-subject study shows that the control of spasticity can be achieved without detrimental effects on strength in incomplete SCI and suggests the need for including strength testing in comprehensive clinical assessment of spasticity. The study shows convergent validity between clinical and neurophysiologic assessments during ITB dose titration. Adding neurophysiologic assessment to clinical assessment may provide objectivity and sensitivity and facilitate decision-making during ITB titration.
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To report a case of thoracic myelopathy secondary to intradural extramedullary bronchogenic cyst. ⋯ Intradural extramedullary bronchogenic cysts of the thoracic spine have been reported previously but are extremely rare. The treatment of choice is surgical resection.