1/11. Functional improvement after physiotherapy with a continuous infusion of local anaesthetics in patients with complex regional pain syndrome.Three patients were referred to our pain clinic with evidence of complex regional pain syndrome in their extremities. Two presented at the atrophic stage with joint contractures. Multiple analgesics had been prescribed without long-lasting relief. Physiotherapy was required to improve physical activity but was severely limited by pain. We instituted local anaesthetic infusion with the possibility of self-supplementation to facilitate physiotherapy; two via brachial plexus catheters for hand pain and one via epidural catheter for knee pain. Although their resultant pain scores were variable after cessation of local anaesthetic infusion, all the affected joints exhibited marked improvement in range of movement. We propose that this technique is a useful option for patients in all stages of complex regional pain syndrome where the emphasis is now directed toward functional improvement.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/11. Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome--type 2b. Case report and review.The multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes are an association of tumours of 2 or more endocrine glands. multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2b (MEN 2b) patients develop medullary thyroid carcinoma and pheochromocytomas as well as unique physical characteristics. Most commonly, MEN2b is inherited with an autosomal dominant pattern although sporadic cases are not uncommon. If untreated the disease may be lethal. The facial, oral and ocular characteristics are reliable markers of the disease. These patients give a history most commonly of slipped capital femoral epiphysis, hypertension and life-long diarrhoea and/or constipation. MEN2b is most commonly characterised by nodules on the anterior aspect of the tongue, thickened lips with nodules, thickened upper eyelids, broadened nasal bridge, thickened corneal nerves and dilated, symmetrical, pedunculated nodules on the cheek mucosa. The patient described has most of these characteristics. Radiographic features of the jaws which have not been previously described are reported. These include a markedly enlarged and bifurcated inferior alveolar canal and shortened roots of the lower incisor teeth. Due to the lethality of the disease, patients who present with the above physical characteristics must be further investigated to exclude MEN2b.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/11. Treatment of painful neuroma of amputated phalanx with distal toe transfer: a case report.A painful neuroma in the amputation stump of a finger can be psychologically and physically disabling. Numerous surgical procedures have been attempted to prevent and treat amputation neuromas of the finger, but the results are inconsistent. Microsurgical transfer of the distal second toe to the amputated stump of the finger can provide a pathway and target for the regenerating axons and avoid recurrence of neuromas. In this article, we present the experience of successful treatment of amputation neuromas of an index finger with microsurgical distal toe transfer.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/11. Mucosal neuroma syndrome--a phenotype for malignancy.The mucosal neuroma syndrome is characterised by a typical physical appearance, neuromata on tongue and buccal mucosa, and a high risk of developing medullary thyroid carcinoma and phaeochromocytoma. A case is described and the importance of early recognition for prevention of malignancy is stressed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/11. Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid in the multiple mucosal neuromas syndrome.The clinical features of the multiple mucosal neuromas (MMN) syndrome permit the recognition of these patients and their potential development of the associated medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The distinctive physical appearance caused by the mucosal neuromas, the Marfanoid habitus and, occasionally, the positive family history aid in establishing the diagnosis. Neurogangliomas are frequently present in the gastrointestinal tract of these patients who may have megacolon, constipation and diarrhea. The third instance of the MMN syndrome is reported in the newborn as intestinal obstruction. It is suggested that the syndrome be considered in the differential diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease and bowel obstruction in the neonate. serum calcitonin measurements following stimulation by calcium or pentagastrin infusion reliably detect incipient MTC and may be used to select those MMN patients requiring thyroid surgery. Recognition of patients with the MMN syndrome and subsequent calcitonin screening and early surgical intervention will significantly reduce the chance of their developing terminal MTC. All MMN patients with mucosal neuromas or intestinal neurogangliomas should have such evaluations at least yearly. Relatives who are at risk for inheriting this dominant disease should be similarly evaluated, regardless of their normal appearance.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/11. Clinically-directed CT in occult disease of the skull base involving foramen ovale.Occult disease of the skull base may present as an isolated neurogenic symptom in the absence of physical signs or radiologic findings. It therefore often remains undiagnosed until advanced. Computed tomography (CT) provides the potential for diagnostic imaging far beyond conventional radiology. Not only do current generation scanners provide exquisite bone detail, they also provide the capability of soft tissue imaging. In the past year, we have matched the diagnostic problem of occult disease of the middle fossa skull base and its foramina with the potential diagnostic imaging solution of CT. Five patients were referred with possible occult middle fossa skull base disease--all had persistent unilateral facial paraesthesia in the distribution of one of the lower two trigeminal nerve divisions (V2 V3) as their only complaint; all had previously been extensively investigated (including axial CT); all remained undiagnosed. Utilizing clinically-directed CT (based on acoustic neuroma diagnostic index of suspicion and imaging experience), 2 of the 5 patients were found to have small mass lesions involving foramen ovale. This presentation will demonstrate our experience based on image-manipulated CT, actively monitored by both radiologist and otolaryngologist.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/11. Cephalgia secondary to neuroma in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis: a case report.A case is presented in which a 26-year-old male with intermittent headaches of many years duration, presents to the Arlington chiropractic Clinic for evaluation and therapy. Routine palpation of the painful area reveals a small mass in the region of the greater occipital nerve. Microscopic examination of the tumor after surgical removal suggests neuroma formation. Headaches did not recur. This patient also experienced exacerbations and remissions of vague low back pain with no radiation. A sacroiliitis was both clinically and radiographically evident. These findings, a positive HLA B27 and the consistent symptom complex allowed a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis to be ascertained. It is concluded that palpation of the painful area is a vital portion of the physical examination and must be included in all evaluations. This case also demonstrates that the diagnosis of one problem does not preclude the presence of others. When one condition is diagnosed and therapy is instituted, diagnostic suspicion must not be relaxed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/11. Relationship of familial prominent corneal nerves and lesions of the tongue resembling neuromas to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2b.PURPOSE: We studied a two-generation family with an inherited syndrome of prominent corneal nerves and lesions of the tongue resembling neuromas without the characteristic neoplasms of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2b syndrome. Several different point mutations in the RET proto-oncogene on chromosome 10 have been associated with the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 syndromes. Molecular genetic studies of families with partial phenotypic expression of these syndromes may aid in further understanding the origin of the variety of clinical manifestations observed in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2. methods: A family consisting of an 8-year-old male proband, his 10-year-old sister, and 40-year-old mother was identified as having prominent corneal nerves and lesions of the tongue resembling neuromas. pentagastrin-stimulated serum calcitonin levels were measured in the mother and sister. Molecular genetic studies were performed on all three affected members, to look for the specific point mutation seen in over 95% of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2b. RESULTS: serum calcitonin levels were normal, indicating no C-cell hyperplasia or medullary thyroid carcinoma. Molecular genetic studies on these individuals did not disclose the specific point mutation seen in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2b. CONCLUSIONS: This family demonstrates some of the phenotypic features of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2b syndrome without the characteristic neoplasms or the mutation in the RET proto-oncogene associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2b. Their physical findings may be caused by genetic alterations within the RET proto-oncogene on chromosome 10 at yet undetermined sites.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/11. Anophthalmic socket pain.We examined and treated four patients with anophthalmic socket pain. Conditions responsible for this problem in this series included scleritis after evisceration, amputation neuroma, pain from a skull-base meningioma, and chemical dependency with drug-seeking behavior. The pain associated with the scleritis after evisceration responded to removal of the scleral remnant. The pain associated with the amputation neuroma responded to removal of the orbital implant and its pseudocapsule in which the amputation neuroma was embedded. The pain associated with the meningioma was intractable. The pain associated with the chemical dependency remained a persistent problem. A careful history and physical examination are critical in the evaluation of anophthalmic socket pain. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful in some cases.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/11. Cervical neuroma presenting as a subarachnoid hemorrhage: case report.OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: The association of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) with spinal lesions is well known, but hemorrhage from a cervical schwannoma is exceedingly rare. The histopathology and the mechanism of bleeding are discussed. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report a healthy 37-year-old man presenting with SAH after intense physical stress caused by bleeding of a cervical neuroma. INTERVENTION: A C6-T1 laminectomy disclosed an ovoid lesion, 4 cm in diameter; extremely dilated veins originated from the tumor. Removal of the spinal lesion resulted in immediate decongestion of the related venous network. The histopathological examination confirmed that the lesion was a telangiectatic schwannoma. The mechanism of bleeding of the intraforaminal cervical schwannoma is discussed. CONCLUSION: Telangiectatic neuromas may be a cause of occult SAH. The importance of magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine is emphasized to explain SAH with negative findings on four-vessel angiography in patients whose SAH may have a surgically correctable cause distant from the intracranial compartment.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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