1/18. Use of cervical spine manipulation under anesthesia for management of cervical disk herniation, cervical radiculopathy, and associated cervicogenic headache syndrome.OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the benefits of cervical spine manipulation with the patient under anesthesia as an approach to treating a patient with chronic cervical disk herniation, associated cervical radiculopathy, and cervicogenic headache syndrome. CLINICAL FEATURES: The patient had neck pain with radiating paresthesia into the right upper extremity and incapacitating headaches and had no response to 6 months of conservative therapy. Treatment included spinal manipulative therapy, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and acupuncture. magnetic resonance imaging, electromyography, and somatosensory evoked potential examination all revealed positive diagnostic findings. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Treatment included 3 successive days of cervical spine manipulation with the patient under anesthesia. The patient had immediate relief after the first procedure. Her neck and arm pain were reported to be 50% better after the first trial, and her headaches were better by 80% after the third trial. Four months after the last procedure the patient reported a 95% improvement in her overall condition. CONCLUSION: Cervical spine manipulation with the patient under anesthesia has a place in the chiropractic arena. It is a useful tool for treating chronic discopathic disease complicated by cervical radiculopathy and cervicogenic headache syndrome. The beneficial results of this procedure are contingent on careful patient selection and proper training of qualified chiropractic physicians.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/18. Lumbar disc herniation in a 27-month-old child. Case report.The occurrence of disc herniation is rare in children. A 27-month-old child fell from his cradle and developed, in the following 2 weeks, irritability, low-back pain, and difficulty in walking. On physical examination a compensatory gait, paravertebral muscle spasm, and a restricted right straight-leg raising test were demonstrated. Plain x-ray films revealed a narrowed L4-5 intervertebral space. magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral spine demonstrated decreased signal in the L4-5 disc, with posterior disc protrusion. At surgery, blood infiltrating the subperiosteal plane was observed. Via a left hemilaminectomy and under microscopic magnification, the left L-5 nerve root was found to be intact, and on the right side significant nerve root compression was identified. During dissection an accidental dural tear occurred. A right L-4 hemilaminectomy was performed, and the disc fragments were removed until a complete nerve root decompression was obtained and the dura was repaired. The child recovered uneventfully and was asymptomatic 7 years postsurgery. This child is one of the youngest patients with a herniated disc reported in the world literature. The authors discuss the diagnostic difficulties and management of this entity in children.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 7.4330201796516keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/18. Thyroid carcinoma with isolated spinal metastasis: case history and review of the literature.An unusual case of metastatic follicular thyroid cancer presenting with symptoms of a radiculopathy at C6 is presented. The patient underwent a laminectomy and removal of tumor with resolution of his symptoms. He was found to have a well differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma and subsequently had total thyroidectomy and 131I treatment. This patient's presentation raised questions about appropriate preoperative evaluation in this clinical scenario. This case highlights the importance of a thorough pre-operative work up for metastatic spine tumors. This should include evaluation of the thyroid consisting of thorough clinical history with particular attention to prior radiation exposure. palpation of the thyroid also should be included as part of a routine pre-operative physical in cases of metastatic lesions of unknown origin. Thyroid function studies should not be utilized unless a clinical suspicion for thyroid cancer is raised during the examination.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/18. role of weight-bearing flexion and extension myelography in evaluating the intervertebral disc.magnetic resonance imaging has many advantages compared with myelography and/or computed tomography in evaluating the lumbar spine for herniated nucleus pulposus. The authors have included a series of three patients whose histories and physical examinations were clinically suggestive of herniated nucleus pulposus but whose magnetic resonance imaging scans were interpreted by a radiologist as a disc bulge without nerve root compression. Because all patients had not responded to a conservative care treatment program and surgical intervention was to be considered, subsequent testing with lumbar myelography with weight-bearing flexion and extension views demonstrated more clearly the presence of herniated nucleus pulposus along with compression of the nerve root; it also revealed that a positional change in the disc occurred with flexion and extension.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 7.4330201796516keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/18. Tarlov cyst as a rare cause of S1 radiculopathy: A case report.A 37-year-old female physician presented with a chief complaint of left posterior thigh pain, which began insidiously approximately 4 months before her initial examination. Initially, she had been evaluated by her physician, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was ordered. The MRI scan was reported to be within normal limits, with the exception of minimal disc bulging at L4-5. She had received physical therapy with little benefit and was referred for physiatric assessment. review of the patient's original MRI scan showed the presence of perineurial (Tarlov) cysts within the sacral canal at the level of S2, with compression of the adjacent nerve root. Subsequent electrodiagnostic testing showed axonal degeneration consistent with an S1 radiculopathy. tarlov cysts can be a rare cause of lumbosacral radiculopathy and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of radicular leg pain.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/18. Halo pin intracranial penetration and epidural abscess in a patient with a previous cranioplasty: case report and review of the literature.STUDY DESIGN: Report of a patient with an epidural abscess after halo pin intracranial penetration at the site of a previous cranioplasty. OBJECTIVES: To report a rare case of intracranial penetration at the site of a previous cranioplasty associated with epidural abscess, and to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to its management. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The most serious complications associated with use of halo device occur when pins penetrate the inner table of the skull, resulting in cerebrospinal fluid leak and rarely in an intracranial abscess. However, no mention of intracranial halo pin penetration at the site of a previous cranioplasty was found in the literature. methods: A 64-year-old man with ankylosing spondylitis had a halo vest placed for management of a fracture dislocation through the C5-C6 intervertebral disc space associated with left C6 radiculopathy. One week later, the patient experienced fever and headache associated with pain, redness, and drainage at the site of the insertion of the left posterior pin. Computed tomography of the brain showed a 1.5-cm intracranial penetration of the halo pin through a previous cranioplasty of the temporal bone, associated with epidural abscess and cerebral edema in the left temporoparietal lobe. The pins and the halo vest were removed, the pin site was cleaned, and a philadelphia cervical collar was applied. staphylococcus epidermidis grew on the culture of drainage from the pin site. The patient started immediate intravenous antibiotic treatment for 2 weeks, followed by oral antibiotics for 2 additional weeks. RESULTS: The patient had gradual improvement of his symptoms within the first 48 hours. At the latest follow-up visit, he had fully recovered and his fracture had healed. CONCLUSIONS: The halo device should not be used for patients with a previous cranioplasty, especially if the pins cannot be inserted at other safe areas of the skull. A thorough medical history and physical examination of the skull are important before the application of a halo device. Computed tomography of the skull may be necessary before elective halo application for patients with concomitant head trauma, confusion, or intoxication and for patients with a previous cranioplasty to ascertain the safest pin sites.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 7.4330201796516keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/18. Herniated nucleus pulposus as a result of emesis in a 20-yr-old man.The causes of herniated disc in vivo vary, and recent studies stress the role of intradiscal pressure as an important factor. Identifying causes of increased intradiscal pressure is difficult. This case report describes the diagnosis of a herniated nucleus pulposus in a 20-yr-old healthy man, with sudden onset of emesis. The diagnosis was made by a complete history, physical examination, electrodiagnostic studies, and magnetic resonance imaging. This etiology of herniated nucleus pulposus has not been described in the medical literature, and the severity of the symptoms, clinical examination, electrodiagnostic findings, and radiologic findings are discussed. Intradiscal pressures and their role in herniated nucleus pulposus are discussed, with a review of the medical literature on the measurement of intradiscal pressure. The amount of force required to produce a herniated nucleus pulposus is also discussed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 7.4330201796516keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/18. Bilateral sacral radiculopathy in a cyclist.OBJECTIVE-PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report is to describe a gait disorder presenting as a bilateral sacral radiculopathy after vigorous cycling. Also, we discuss the pathogenic mechanisms and we revise the bibliography. PATIENT and methods: The patient complained of a rapid painless weakness in legs, after intense and prolonged cycling 4 months ago. The physical and electromyographical examinations revealed important weakness in foot and knee flexors, and signs of acute denervation with mixed reinnervation (active and chronic) in myotomal S1 muscles, respectively. The lumbo-sacral magnetic resonance imaging were normal. The follow-up studies demonstrated gradually improvement in clinical and neurophysiological parameters. DISCUSSION: We established that our patient presented a subacute bilateral S1 radiculopathy and we confirmed the progressive clinical and neurophysiological improvement. The radiculopathy are infrequent in cyclists, and its common origin is the external compressive aggression. In our patient we speculate and discuss that this radicular lesion could present different pathogenic mechanisms: the elongation, the compression and the secondary vasanervorum ischemia. In our knowledge S1 radiculopathy related to compressive lesions in sportsmen has not been previously described.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/18. Case report on motor neuropathy associated with herpes zoster.BACKGROUND: Complications associated with herpes zoster are primarily sensory, but motor involvement, especially in late life, can be part of the symptom complex. CASE REPORT: We report a case of herpes zoster with motor neuropathy in a 66-year-old female. Eighteen months after diagnosis and treatment, the patient is regaining muscular strength in the affected limb. DISCUSSION: Treatment of motor neuropathy mainly consists of physical and occupational therapy. Most patients achieve functional recovery.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/18. Cervical radiculopathy or Parsonage-turner syndrome: differential diagnosis of a patient with neck and upper extremity symptoms.STUDY DESIGN: Resident's case problem. BACKGROUND: The signs and symptoms of cervical radiculopathy (CR) warrant the consideration of several other conditions in CR's differential diagnosis. One condition that may mimic CR, which is not well known amongst physical therapists, is Parsonage-turner syndrome (PTS). PTS is characterized by an onset of intense pain that typically subsides within days to weeks. However, as pain subsides, weakness and/or paralysis may develop in upper extremity muscles. The purpose of this resident's case problem is to describe a patient who presented to our clinic with a diagnosis of CR, but had findings consistent with PTS. diagnosis: The patient was a 43-year-old male referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of CR. He had a previous episode of CR 1 year ago that was treated successfully. He had positive magnetic resonance imaging findings of structural abnormalities suggestive of causative factors for CR. The patient was treated for CR with thoracic and cervical spine manipulations and intermittent cervical traction. The initial acute severe pain subsided, but weakness in the upper extremity worsened. diagnosis of PTS was made upon exclusion of other potential confounding diagnoses and the findings of fibrillation potentials and positive waves in electrodiagnostic studies. DISCUSSION: CR and PTS are characterized by pain in the cervical spine, shoulder, and upper extremity. CR generally has an insidious onset, while PTS has a rapid onset of intense pain. Symptoms of CR are exacerbated with neck movements, while symptoms related to PTS should not be exacerbated with neck movements. In patients that do not respond to conventional therapy and have a progression of upper extremity muscle weakness, regardless of decreased pain, the diagnosis of PTS should be considered.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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