The Relationship Between Scoliosis, Spinal Bone Density, and Truncal Muscle Strength in Familial Dysautonomia Patients

This combined retrospective and prospective study aimed to investigate the relationship between scoliosis, spinal bone mineral density (BMD), and truncal muscle strength in patients with familial dysautonomia (FD). A total of 79 FD patients (40 male, 39 female) aged 5-44 years were included. The severity of scoliosis, lumbar spine BMD (Z-score), and truncal muscle strength were assessed. Correlations were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Inverse correlations were observed between scoliosis severity and BMD (r = - 0.328, p = 0.001), as indicated by increasingly negative Z-score values with worsening osteoporosis. There were also inverse correlations between scoliosis and truncal muscle strength (r = - 0.595, p < 0.001). The correlation between scoliosis and age was notable up to 22 years (r = 0.421, p = 0.01), but not in the older age group (22-44 years). Our study identified inverse correlations between osteoporosis and scoliosis, as well as between scoliosis and truncal muscle strength, in FD patients. These findings suggest that there may be a relationship between bone density, muscle strength, and the severity of spinal curvature in this population. While our results highlight the potential importance of early diagnosis and management of osteoporosis, and possibly the benefits of physical therapy to strengthen truncal muscles, further research is needed to determine the direct impact of these interventions on preventing the progression of scoliosis and its associated complications in FD patients. A long-term longitudinal study could provide more insights into these relationships and inform treatment strategies for FD patients.

Rehabilitation outcomes of stroke patients treated with multi-modal endovascular reperfusion therapy

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of multi-modal endovascular reperfusion therapy (MMRT) on functional outcomes following rehabilitation.

METHODS

Data from 14 MMRT-treated patients were analyzed and compared to MMRT-ineligible, age and stroke severity-matched patients treated at the same Neurological and Rehabilitation departments. Neurological evaluation was assessed with the NIH stroke scale (NIHSS). Activity of daily living was measured using the FIMTM instrument. Functional outcome was measured using the modified Rankin scale (mRS).

RESULTS

The baseline characteristics of both groups were similar. NIHSS scores were lower in the MMRT group and they had slightly better functional and rehabilitation scores on admission to rehabilitation. At the end of rehabilitation, more MMRT-treated patients reached functional independence (mRS≤2; 50% vs. 7% respectively P=0.03). FIM scores were also higher in the MMRT group (mean score 93.3 vs. 87.7, respectively) but the difference did not reach significance. The delta in FIM and NIHSS scores obtained during rehabilitation did not significantly differ between the groups. MMRT remained a significant modifier of good outcome after regression analysis (OR 21.5 95% CI 1.1-410).

CONCLUSION

MMRT-treated patients have better chances of attaining independence after rehabilitation therapy. However, the additional improvements gained while in active rehabilitation were independent of reperfusion status.

Regional recurrences of N0 primary laryngeal cancer: a retrospective study of fiveyear period

PURPOSE

To analyse the stage of nodal neck recurrences when first encountered and to determine the relevance of selective lateral neck dissection by retrospective review of patients with regional recurrence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The files of patients with nodal neck metastases were retrospectively reviewed, covering a 5-year period (1991-1995). Chosen were cases with only regional recurrences of N0 primaries confined to the larynx and initially treated solely with resection of the primary. Cases in which regional recurrences were accompanied by local recurrences were excluded. We took into account T stage of the primary tumor, time to recurrence, recurrence localization, N status, presence of extracapsular spread, and distant metastases.

RESULTS

For the period studied 310 patients with N0 laryngeal primaries were found. Thirty-eight (12.25%) cases developed regional recurrences and were consistent with the listed criteria. At the time of initial treatment 2 (5.3%) patients were T1, 3 (7.9%) T2, 27 (71%) T3, and 6 (15.8%) T4. The median time to recurrence was 13.1 months. The N stage of the recurrences was as follows: 4 (10%) patients had N1, 11 (29%) N2a, 8 (21%) N2b, 3 (8%) N2c, and 12 (32%) N3. Extracapsular spread was identified in 17 (43%) cases.

CONCLUSION

In cases of advanced laryngeal carcinomas the wait-and-see policy is hazardous. In such cases it is advisable to perform simultaneous resection of the primary and elective neck dissection.

Anatomo-topographic landmarks on the lateral wall of nasal cavity used in endonasal surgery

INTRODUCTION

A dissection of the lateral wall of nasal cavity that imitates a true endonasal operation was the design of the present study. The object of the study was by measuring the distance between a pivot landmark and important anatomical structures revealed successively during an endonasal operation to create additional highlights that will minimise the hazard of injuring vital structures.

METHODS

Twenty anatomical preparations of sagittally sectioned heads from cadavers (elderly males of Bulgarian origin) were dissected to study the topographic relationships between the great paranasal cavities (maxillary, frontal, and sphenoidal sinus) and the ethmoidal labyrinth. Using punctum subnasale as a pivot landmark, the distances to crucial microendoscopic landmarks (i.e., nasolacrimal duct, uncinate process, ethmoidal bulla, base of the skull, anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus, orifice of the maxillary sinus) were measured at different angles to the horizontal plane.

RESULTS

The mean distances from punctum subnasale to the natural ostium of the maxillary sinus and anterior wall of the sphenoidal sinus, measured at an angle of 30 degrees to the floor of the nasal cavity, were 48.25 +/- 0.75 and 67.105 +/- 0.794 mm, respectively. At an angle of 45 degrees, the mean distance to the nasolacrimal duct was 38.056 +/- 0.591 mm; to the uncinate process 45.25 +/- 0.57 mm; to the ethmoidal bulla 50.25 +/- 0.57 mm; and to the base of the skull 66.053 +/- 0.818 mm. Mean distance of 43.158 +/- 0.568 mm to the lacrimal sac and 60.25 +/- 0.68 mm to the base of the skull were measured at an angle of 60 degrees.

CONCLUSION

The analysis of the results imply that the selected distances will contribute to a more precise application of this contemporary surgical method.