PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F L Bruyninckx

Publications and source records attributed to F L Bruyninckx.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Study of single motor unit discharge patterns using 1/f process model.

We developed a technique to study temporal discharge patterns of single motor units using 1/f process model, whose fractional parameter gamma was shown to be a useful indicator for distinguishing between discharge behaviors of single motor units of normal subjects and patients with upper motor neuron lesions. We have studied a total of 47 motor units in 3 normal subjects, and 41 in 3 patients with upper motor neuron lesions from biceps and extensor digitorum communis muscles during steady contraction. The parameter gamma was estimated with an algorithm based on wavelet analysis. The mean value of gamma in patients was 1.52, and the mean value of gamma in normal subjects was -0.06. These results suggest that 1/f process can be used to document the impaired motor control mechanisms at single motor unit level.

Arm↗

Spinal somatosensory evoked potentials after epidural isoproterenol in awake sheep.

PURPOSE: The use of 10-15 micrograms epinephrine as an epidural test-dose is controversial. Isoproterenol would be a better alternative. However, before 5 micrograms isoproterenol can be incorporated in an epidural test-dose, neurotoxicological studies have to be performed. The present study was designed to assess spinal somatosensory evoked potentials (spinal SSEP) before and after epidural isoproteronol. METHODS: Spinal SSEPs were recorded before, 30 min after, and 72 hr after 50 micrograms isoproterenol were given epidurally (L3-4) to six chronically instrumented awake sheep. The spinal SSEPs after epidural (L3-4) administration of 15 ml lidocaine 2% were used to evaluate the model. The SSEPs were generated by transcutaneous stimulation of the sciatic nerve in the thigh. Spinal SSEPs were recorded directly from the spinal cord at vertebra T12 using a monopolar epidural electrode referenced to a subcutaneous needle electrode in the adjacent paraspinal area. RESULTS: Thirty minutes and 72 hr after epidural injection of 50 micrograms isoproterenol the latency and the amplitude of the SSEP waves were similar to baseline values. After lidocaine, no SSEPs could be generated in three sheep while in three sheep the latency of wave 2 (W2) was prolonged and the amplitude diminished. CONCLUSION: Administration of epidural isoproterenol did not affect spinal SSEPs in this study indicating an absence of neurotoxic side effects.

Adrenergic beta-Agonists↗

Electromyographic findings in ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve entrapment syndrome.

The ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve entrapment syndrome is a recognised cause of, usually chronic, lower abdominal pain. Diagnosis is based upon a typical clinical triad and relief of pain by injection of a local anaesthetic. In the present study we assessed the value of abdominal muscle electromyography in 41 patients with a clinical syndrome suggestive of ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve entrapment. Electromyographic abnormalities were detected in 15 of 25 cases (60%) with definite diagnosis and in 6 of 16 (37%) of those with probable diagnosis of ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve entrapment syndrome. The rather low sensitivity and the clinical value of this technique are discussed.

Abdominal Muscles↗