Objective To evaluate the value of MRI in diagnosis of obstetrical brachial plexus palsy pre-gangl ionic injury. Methods From November 2006 to February 2008, 10 patients with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy were treated, 8 males and 2 females, aged from 2 months to 3 years (11.4 months on average). There were 7 cases of left side and 3 of right side.According to Tassin classification, 2 cases were type II, 6 type III and 2 type IV. All patients were performed MRI examinations before the operation, whose results were compared with those of exploration during the operation. Results MRI examinations showed 1 patient was normal and 9 patients had post-traumatic spinalmeningolcele. The 6 patients had displacement of spinal cord (4 towards the healthy side and 2 towards the sick side), 6 had deformity of spinal cord, and 2 had avulsed nerve root thickening. MRI detected 19 nerve roots were positive, 16 were true positive and 3 false positive in surgical exploration. MRI detected 6 nerve roots were negative, 4 were true negative and 2 false negative in surgical exploration. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRI in diagnosis of obstetrical brachial plexus palsy pre-gangl ionic injury were 84.2%, 80.0% and 83.3%, respectively. There were significant differences in the results by preoperative MRI examinations and by exploration during the operation (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion MRI can show pre-gangl ionic injury of brachial plexus of the patients with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy and can supply references for early diagnosis and operation time. MRI can be routinely conducted as a preoperative examination.
【Abstract】 Objective To observe the distribution feature of nerve bundles in C7 nerve anterior and posterior division end. Methods The brachial plexus specimen was harvested from 1 fresh adult cadaver. After C7 nerve was confirmed, the distal end of anterior and posterior division was dissected and embedded by OCT. Then the samples were serially horizontally sliced with each 10 μm deep. After acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemical staining, the stain characteristics of different nerve fiber bundles were observed and amount of the nerve fiber bundles were counted under optic-microscope. At last, the imaging which were collected were three-dimensional (3-D) reconstructed by using Amira 4.1 software. Results There was no obvious difference in the stain between the anterior and posterior divisions. The running of the nerve fiber bundles were dispersive from proximal end of nerve to distal end of nerve. Nerve fiber bundles of anterior division were mainly sensor nerve fiber bundles, which located in medial side. Nerve fiber bundles of posterior division were mainly moter nerve fiber bundles, having no regularity in the distribution of nerve fiber bundles. The total number of nerve fiber bundles in distal end of anterior division was 7.85 ± 1.04, the number of motor nerve fiber bundles was 2.85 ± 0.36, and the number of sensor nerve fiber bundles was 5.13 ± 1.01. The total number of nerve fiber bundles in distal end of posterior division was 9.79 ± 1.53, the number of motor nerve fiber bundles was 6.00 ± 0.69, and the number of sensor nerve fiber bundles was 3.78 ± 0.94. There were significant differences in the numbers of motor and sensor nerve fiber bundles between anterior and posterior divisions (P lt; 0.05). The microstructure 3-D model was reconstructed based on serial slice through Amira 4.1. The intercross and recombination process of nerves bundles could be observed obviously. The nerve bundle distribution showed cross and combination. Conclusion Nerve fiber bundles of anterior division are mainly sensor nerve fiber bundles and locate in medial side. Nerve fiber bundles of posterior division are mainly motor nerve fiber bundles, which has no regularity in the distribution of nerve fiber bundles. The 3-D reconstruction can display the internal structure feature of the C7 division end.
【Abstract】 Objective To report cl inical experience in the use of temporary intravascular shunts (TIVS) for quickrestoration of perfusion to the extremity with major vascular injury. Methods Between August 2009 and March 2011, TIVSwas applied temporarily to restore blood perfusion to the extremity in 6 patients with major extremity vascular structure injury secondary to trauma (4 patients) or tumor resection (2 patients), who would received vascular transplantation and underwent long ischemia. The patterns of vascular shunts included external carotid artery-subclavian artery, axillary artery-axillary artery, axillary vein-subclavian vein, brachial artery-brachial artery, brachial vein-brachial vein, brachial artery-radial artery, femoral artery-popliteal artery, and popliteal artery-posterior tibial artery. After TIVS, extensive debridement, fracture fixation, or tumor excision was performed. Then the shunted tubes were removed, and the vessels were repaired definitly. Six vessels were repaired by transplanting the great saphenous veins; one vessel was anastomosed directly without tension; and one vessel was repaired by artificial vascular graft. Results All shunted tubes were successfully established within 5 to 10 minutes (mean, 8.2 minutes). The duration of bypass ranged from 67 to 210 minutes. After establishment of TIVS, blood perfusion to the affected limb was improved. When shunted tubes were removed, thrombosis and partial obstruction occurred in one who accepted amputation, and the others kept patency. No loosening of tubes and haemorrhage occurred. At 2-15 months of follow-up, affected limbs had good blood supply. Conclusion TIVS is rapid and simple, which can quickly restore blood perfusion to the extremity with major vascular injury and shorten the ischemic time of the affected extremity.