neuromuscular ultrasound

Neuromuscular monitoring is crucial during the administration of neuromuscular blocking agents owing to individual variations in their effects. In electromyography (EMG)-based neuromuscular monitoring using the EMG electrodes (NM-345Y™, Nihon-Kohden Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) following the manufacturer-recommended attachment method, the accuracy of neuromuscular monitoring may be reduced when forearm limb position is changed. We previously devised a novel attachment method for NM-345Y™ stimulating electrodes in adult volunteers to maintain stable monitoring accuracy despite changes in forearm position...

OBJECTIVE: Ultrasound studies in inclusion body myositis (IBM) have reported a characteristic pattern of increased echointensity in the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) with relative sparing of the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU). We examined the relationship between echointensity of the FDP and FCU muscles and hand strength or patient-reported outcomes (PROs). METHODS: A total of 15 patients with IBM were recruited. Ultrasound images of the FDP and FCU muscles were obtained by a point-of-care ultrasound and graded using the modified Heckmatt score...

Electrodiagnostic studies (EDx) are frequently performed in the diagnostic evaluation of peripheral nerve disorders. There is increasing interest in the use of newer, alternative diagnostic modalities, in particular imaging, either to complement or replace established EDx protocols. However, the evidence to support this approach has not been expansively reviewed. In this paper, diagnostic performance data from studies of EDx and other diagnostic modalities in common peripheral nerve disorders have been analyzed and described, with a focus on radiculopathy, plexopathy, compressive neuropathies, and the important neuropathy subtypes of Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), vasculitic neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy...

BACKGROUND: In patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a decrease in muscle function may be related to changes in the biomechanical properties of skeletal muscles. However, the correlations between muscle function and the characteristics of muscle size and stiffness as measured by ultrasound in patients with T2DM are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the abilities of conventional ultrasound and shear wave elastography (SWE) to assess muscle properties in patients with T2DM and to correlate the findings with isokinetic muscle testing and functional tests...

This present work is aimed at conducting fundamental and exploratory studies of the mechanisms of electrical impedance signal formation. This paper also considers morphofunctional changes in forearm tissues during the performance of basic hand actions. For this purpose, the existing research benches were modernized to conduct experiments of mapping forearm muscle activity by electrode systems on the basis of complexing the electrical impedance signals and electromyography signals and recording electrode systems' pressing force using force transducers...

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Nonobstetric surgery during pregnancy is associated with maternal and fetal risks. Several physiologic changes create unique challenges for anesthesiologists. This review highlights physiologic changes of pregnancy and presents clinical recommendations based on recent literature to guide anesthetic management for the pregnant patient undergoing nonobstetric surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Nearly every anesthetic technique has been safely used in pregnant patients...

This study investigated the effect of an 8-week neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training programme (3 days/week) on muscle quantity and quality and single-joint performance in the knee extensors. Thirty-nine untrained young male participants were randomly assigned to NMES training ( n  = 21) and control ( n  = 18) groups. The 8-week NMES training induced significant increase in the isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque of the knee extensors (≈9...

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Lumbosacral radiculopathy (LR) is a common disorder. Neuromuscular ultrasound (NMU) is a rapidly evolving technique for the investigation of peripheral nerve and muscle disorders, but studies using NMU in LR are lacking. The aim of the present study was to investigate ultrasonographic neuromuscular changes distant from root compression in patients with subacute to chronic compressive LR with motor impairment. METHODS: Patients with unilateral subacute to chronic L4, L5, or S1 radiculopathy with motor impairment and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging were included...

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions. People with LBP often display changes of neuromuscular control and trunk mechanical properties, including trunk stiffness. Although a few individual studies have examined back muscle stiffness in individuals with LBP, a synthesis of the evidence appears to be lacking. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to synthesize and evaluate the available literature investigating back muscle stiffness in association with LBP...

Peripheral nerve injuries in athletes affect the upper limb more commonly than the lower limb. Common mechanisms include compression, traction, laceration, and ischemia. Specific sports can have unique mechanisms of injury and are more likely to be associated with certain neuropathies. Familiarity with these sport-specific variables and recognition of the common presentations of upper limb neuropathic syndromes are important in assessing an athlete with a suspected peripheral nerve injury. Evaluation may require imaging modalities and/or electrodiagnostic testing to confirm a nerve injury...

Advanced imaging of peripheral nerves is occupying an increasingly important role in the diagnostic workup of peripheral nerve disorders. Advances in MR neurography (MRN) and high-resolution ultrasound have addressed historical challenges in peripheral nerve imaging related to nerves' small size and non-linear course, and difficult differentiation from surrounding tissues. Modern MRN depicts neuromuscular anatomy with exquisite contrast resolution, and MRN has become the workhorse imaging modality for peripheral nerve evaluation...

OBJECTIVE: Bruxism is a common problem associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The aim of this study was to compare a patient group with Myofascial TMD and bruxism and a healthy control group in terms of masseter and temporal muscle thickness (clenching and resting), mechanosensitivity of neck and jaw muscles, craniofacial pain, and disability and emotional stress status. METHODS: The study included 31 patients with myofascial TMD and bruxism (19 females, 12 males) with a mean age of 29...

BACKGROUND: Morton's neuroma (MN) is a painful neuropathy resulting from a benign enlargement of the common plantar digital nerve that occurs commonly in the third webspace and, less often, in the second webspace of the foot. Symptoms include burning or shooting pain in the webspace that extends to the toes, or the sensation of walking on a pebble. These impact on weight-bearing activities and quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and harms of interventions for MN...

BACKGROUND: Appropriate evaluation and management of dysphagia are essential in neurological disorders. However, there is currently a lack of a simple yet reliable method for dysphagia evaluation. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of new dynamic M-mode ultrasonography (US) parameters of suprahyoid muscle (SHM) to evaluate dysphagia. DESIGN: Prospective observational, cross-sectional study. SETTING: Inpatient setting at neurology department of tertiary medical center...

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: A spectrum of peripheral nerve injuries is associated with gunshot wounds (GSWs). Due to Wallerian degeneration, distal nerve lesions may go undetected on electrodiagnostic (EDX) testing. In patients with GSW undergoing high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) for evaluation of neurological deficits, we have observed distal nerve morphological changes, but these have not been systematically studied. The aim of this study was to characterize changes on HRUS in nerves at and distal to gunshot injuries and to identify the frequency with which these changes occur...

BACKGROUND: A full-thickness rotator cuff tear (FTRCT) is defined as a complete tear of one of the four rotator cuff muscle tendons (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis or teres minor). This condition can lead to pain and reduced function. However, not all FTRCT are symptomatic. A better understanding of the characteristics that lead some individuals with FTRCT to experience pain is fundamental to improve strategies used to manage this condition. This level II descriptive study aimed to explore potential sociodemographic, anatomical, psychosocial, pain sensitivity, biomechanical and neuromuscular variables that may differ between individuals with symptomatic FTRCT and age-matched individuals with asymptomatic shoulders...

INTRODUCTION: There is an increasing need for a reproducible and sensitive outcome measure in patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) with polyneuropathy (PN) due to the emergence of disease modifying therapies. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the role of quantitative muscle ultrasound (QMUS) as a disease biomarker in ATTRv-PN. METHODS: Twenty genetically confirmed ATTRv amyloidosis patients (nine symptomatic, 11 pre-symptomatic) were enrolled prospectively between January to March 2023...

INTRODUCTION: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder of post-synaptic neuromuscular junction characterised by fatigable muscle weakness and is treated with prednisolone with or without other immunosuppressants, including azathioprine (AZA). Veno-occlusive hepatotoxicity of AZA is a rare complication in MG. CASE REPORT: We report a 35-year-old man with MG who was treated with pyridostigmine, prednisolone, and AZA for 5 years. He presented with abdominal pain and increased fatiguability for 7 days...

The benefits of Pilates have been extensively researched for their impact on muscular, psychological, and cardiac health, as well as body composition, among other aspects. This study aims to investigate the influence of the Pilates method on the learning process, motor control, and neuromuscular trunk stabilization, specifically in both experienced and inexperienced practitioners. This semi-randomized controlled trial compares the level of experience among 36 Pilates practitioners in terms of motor control and learning of two Pilates-based skills: standing plank and side crisscross...

BACKGROUND: The transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) is effective for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. However, evidence regarding the optimal delivery method, either laparoscopic (L-TAPB) or ultrasound-guided (U-TAPB) is lacking. Our study aimed to compare the effectiveness of these delivery methods. METHODS: We carried out a literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases to include randomized studies comparing patients receiving either L-TAPB or U-TAPB during minimally invasive colorectal surgery...