Biomedical subjects

Julia K Terzis

Publications and source records attributed to Julia K Terzis.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Restoration of shoulder function with nerve transfers in traumatic brachial plexus palsy patients.

Shoulder stabilization is of utmost importance in upper extremity reanimation following paralysis from devastating injuries. Although secondary procedures such as tendon and muscle transfers have been used, they never achieve a functional recovery comparable to that following successful reinnervation of the supraspinatus, deltoid, teres minor, and infraspinatus muscles. Early restoration of suprascapular and axillary nerve function through timely brachial plexus reconstruction offers a good opportunity to restore shoulder-joint stability, adequate shoulder abduction, and external rotation function. Overall, in our series, 79% of patients achieved good and excellent shoulder abduction (muscle grade, +3 or more), and 55% of patients achieved good or excellent shoulder external rotation after reinnervation of the suprascapular nerve. The best results were seen when direct neurotization of the suprascapular nerve from the distal spinal accessory nerve or neurotization by the C5 root was carried out. Concomitant neurotization of the axillary nerve yields improved outcomes in shoulder abduction and external rotation function.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Suprascapular nerve reconstruction in 118 cases of adult posttraumatic brachial plexus.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder stabilization is of utmost importance in upper extremity reanimation following paralysis from devastating brachial plexus injuries. The purpose of this report is to present the authors' experience with suprascapular nerve reconstruction in 118 cases of adult brachial plexus lesions. Outcomes were analyzed in relation to various factors, including patient age, denervation time, donor nerve used, and functional restoration achieved in the supraspinatus versus the infraspinatus muscles. METHODS: The medical records of 118 adult patients operated on by a single surgeon between 1978 and 2002 who had suprascapular nerve reconstruction were reviewed; 102 patients had adequate follow-up. Direct neurotization of the suprascapular nerve was carried out in 78 patients, while in 40 patients, interposition nerve grafts were used. In 80 patients, the distal spinal accessory was used as the motor donor nerve for suprascapular nerve neurotization, while in 10 patients, other extraplexus motor donors were used. In 28 patients, intraplexus motor donors were used to reinnervate the suprascapular nerve. RESULTS: Results were good or excellent in 79 percent of the patients for the supraspinatus muscle and in 55 percent for the infraspinatus. There was a statistically significant difference between direct spinal accessory to suprascapular nerve neurotization and accessory to suprascapular via a nerve graft. Early surgery and less than 6 months of denervation time yielded significantly better results than late surgery and more than 6 months of delay in the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Suprascapular nerve neurotization is a high priority in upper limb reanimation for restoration of glenohumeral joint stability, shoulder abduction, and external rotation. Concomitant neurotization of the axillary nerve yields improved outcomes in shoulder abduction function. The best results are seen when direct neurotization of the suprascapular nerve is performed within 6 months from the injury.

Accessory Nerve↗

PubMed2005

Early effect of gene therapy on a direct muscle neurotization model.

Direct nerve-to-muscle neurotization has been the subject of both clinical and experimental studies. In this study, the authors report a new animal model to test the regenerative properties of a nerve (musculocutaneous) implanted in a muscle (biceps). They also report the early effects of the application at the implantation site of exogenously administered Brain Derived Nerve Factor (BDNF) and of endogenously produced BDNF, via the administration of an adenoviral construct with a tissue-specific promotor for muscle cells (AdRSV), and containing the BDNF gene. Evaluation included behavioral testing (grooming test), electrical stimulation, Western blot analysis of the distal implanted nerve to determine the presence of locally produced BDNF, and motor end-plate staining of the biceps muscle. At the early time point of 1 week following the musculocutaneous nerve to biceps muscle implantation, there was no increased production of recombinant BDNF at the distal implanted musculocutaneous nerve, as assessed by Western blot analysis. Therefore, there was no significant difference in the behavioral evaluation of the animals at 1 week; the Terzis grooming test showed no statistical difference among groups, but a trend toward better function for the BDNF and the high-dose AdRSV-BDNF groups, compared to the control groups. There was also no difference in the histologic appearance and number of the motor end-plates at the implantation site, compared to the controls. The electrical stimulation of the MC nerve did not produce statistically significant results among the experimental groups. In this direct nerve to muscle neurotization model, the application of AdRSV-BDNF at 3 x 10 (9) pfu/ul did not show enhanced production of BDNF at 1 week.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed2003

Dynamic restoration in Möbius and Möbius-like patients.

Möbius syndrome is classically characterized by bilateral facial nerve and abducens nerve paralysis in combination with limb defects. In the past 110 years, physicians diagnosed children as having the syndrome on the basis of heterogeneity of symptoms and used the term "Möbius syndrome" or "Möbius-like syndrome" for patients with multiple cranial nerve involvement. The cause and the exact pathogenesis of the syndrome still elude understanding. Genetic work-ups, radiological findings, and data from autopsies differ in their approaches and their findings of the basic causes of Möbius syndrome. In the international literature, about 301 case reports are found scattered through the past century. The appearance of the facial deformity is easy to recognize, because the Möbius patient is impaired in his or her ability to communicate nonverbally. Despite ophthalmologic problems, it is the search for a smile that brings these patients to the reconstructive surgeon. Over the past 100 years, surgical efforts attempted to improve the mask-like appearance by static and dynamic procedures, usually local muscle transpositions. Today, combinations of microsurgical procedures and aesthetic techniques are being used to restore some movement to the expressionless face of these patients by nerve and muscle transplantation. This article discusses the heterogeneity of Möbius syndrome, advocates a new classification system, presents the clinical findings of 42 patients who were seen and examined in consultation, and discusses the surgical management of 20 patients who underwent dynamic restorative microsurgery. Exemplary cases illustrating the preoperative work-up regimen and possible outcomes are reported.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Möbius and Möbius-like patients: etiology, diagnosis, and treatment options.

The surgical goal in Mobius patients is far more modest and differs from patients with unilateral developmental facial paralysis. It is impossible to restore a true smile in these mask-like, expressionless faces. Despite sophisticated microneurovascular transplantations, movement can only be restored along one vector and enhanced firmness in the cheeks, thus multiple differentiated facial animation is not achievable. A detailed neurological evaluation can identify possible motor donors or residual function, which can be used for additional dynamic restorations. Due to the multiple cranial nerve involvement a thorough clinical and electrophysiological examination is mandatory. In addition, electromyographic survey of the potential motor donors is very helpful to avoid weak wasted regeneration and prevent further downgrading of function. Because of the variety of cranial nerves involved in Möbius' syndrome, a standard procedure for dynamic restoration cannot and should not be promoted; instead, a careful preoperative objective and quantitative assessment should guide the reconstructive surgeon to the optimal reconstruction strategy. Useful movement can be restored in afflicted patients that may signal physical and psychological rehabilitation.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Muscle preservation by prolonged sensory protection.

The functional recovery of a muscle target following nerve repair is inversely related to the denervation time: i.e., the longer the muscle denervation, the poorer the functional outcome following nerve reconstruction. The trophic and protective effects of sensory innervation to a motor nerve, following prolonged denervation (greater than 6 months), have been studied. Following proximal transection of the musculocutaneous nerve (MC) close to its C6 origin in 10 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, the severed nerve was coapted to supraclavicular purely sensory nerves originating from C3 and C4 (sensory protection [SP] group). In another 10 Sprague-Dawley rats, the transected MC nerve was not protected by coaptation to sensory nerves (control group). After prolonged denervation or "sensory protection" (6 months), the MC nerve was then coapted in both groups to the purely motor medial pectoral nerve. Behavioral testing (grooming test) was performed on a weekly basis during the reinnervation time, which lasted 4 weeks. Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) favoring the SP group, were found at the second week of the reinnervation period, but not at the end of the experiment. Evaluation also included intraoperative electrical stimulation of the MC nerve, biceps muscle dry weights, motor endplate counts, and nerve axon counts of the MC nerve. The biceps muscle dry weights were statistically higher in the SP group, along with a trend for a higher number of motor endplates. No statistically significant difference was found in the nerve axon counts of the MC nerve between the two groups. Statistically better intraoperative electrical stimulation results were also encountered in the sensory protection group. An interpretation of the results favors the hypothesis that sensory reinnervation of a motor target may provide the necessary trophic environment to minimize muscle atrophy, until a motor donor nerve becomes available.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Outcomes with eye reanimation microsurgery.

This study reviews the various microsurgical techniques available to reanimate the paralyzed eye sphincter. Traditional as well as several innovative procedures are described that the senior author has used over the past 20 years. The methods of evaluating such outcomes are discussed and analyzed with regard to eye reanimation. An independent panel of reviewers evaluated standardized preoperative and postoperative videos documenting eye closure and blink in patients with lagophthalmos. A significant difference in overall postoperative outcome of both eye closure and blink was demonstrated. In this particular population, those patients who underwent dynamic procedures more often yielded better results than those who did not. Detailed video documentation and independent grading of outcomes of eye closure and blink are necessary to assist in developing effective surgical treatments for paralytic lagophthalmos. Accurate measurement of the results of these interventions remains a considerable challenge in the field of eye reanimation microsurgery.

Blinking↗

PubMed2002

Distraction osteogenesis using IGF-I after nerve microreconstruction.

The discipline of limb lengthening has undergone numerous advances over the last few years. The neurologic complications surrounding this procedure are well established and described in the clinical setting, and can be deleterious for the patients in distraction osteogenesis protocols. The specific aims of the reported project were: 1) to determine the ability of IGF-I to enhance nerve regeneration in repaired nerves that are subjected to distraction only 4 weeks after nerve repair, and 2) to determine if a low dose of IGF-I applied at the time of the repair is neuroprotective to repaired nerves at this early time window. Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into eight groups (n=5). Four groups (Groups A to D) underwent distraction of the femoral bone following sciatic nerve repair, and four groups served as controls (Groups E to H). Nerve reconstruction was achieved by end-to-end nerve repair (four groups, two with distraction [A, B] and two without [E, F]) and by interposition nerve grafting (four groups, two with distraction [C, D] and two without distraction [G, H]). A low dose of IGF-I was administered at the time of nerve microreconstruction. Distracted groups, despite the administration of IGF-I, demonstrated no signs of nerve regeneration, as assessed by sciatic functional index (SFI), electrophysiologic studies, and quantitative and qualitative histologic studies. Non-distracted groups showed signs of nerve regeneration. The 4-week time interval between nerve repair and distraction did not provide enough time for nerve regeneration to be completed, even if the repair was exposed to a low dose of IGF-1.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

PubMed2002

Outcomes of scapula stabilization in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy: a novel dynamic procedure for correction of the winged scapula.

Among the late consequences of obstetrical brachial plexus palsy is winging of the scapula, a functional and aesthetic deformity. This article introduces a novel surgical procedure for the dynamic correction of this clinical entity that involves the dynamic transfer of the contralateral trapezius muscle and/or rhomboid muscles and anchoring to the affected scapula. In more severe cases of scapula winging, the contralateral latissimus dorsi muscle may also need to be transferred to achieve dynamic scapula stabilization. The outcomes of this novel surgical procedure were analyzed in relation to the effect on abduction, external rotation, growth of the scapula, and distance of the scapula from the posterior midline. The results were analyzed in 26 patients who underwent this procedure and had adequate follow-up. The mean patient age was 6.39 years. Fourteen (54 percent) had a diagnosis of Erb palsy, and 12 (46 percent) had a diagnosis of global paralysis. All 26 patients had an additional secondary procedure performed prior to or simultaneously with the scapula stabilization procedure. In 19 patients, the contralateral trapezius was transferred and anchored to the medial border of the winged scapula alone, but in seven cases the underlying rhomboid major was transferred along with the trapezius muscle to provide sufficient scapula stabilization. In five cases in which the scapula winging was severe, the contralateral latissimus dorsi muscle was transferred at a second stage. After this procedure, all patients demonstrated improved scapula symmetry. The mean increase in abduction was 18 degrees (p < 0.001), the mean increase in external rotation was 19 degrees (p < 0.001), and the mean increase in anterior flexion was 12 degrees (p = 0.015). The improvement of the relative position of the winged scapula on the posterior thorax was analyzed by measuring the distance of the inferior angle of both scapulae from the midline, then calculating the difference between normal and affected sides and comparing this value before and after the scapula stabilization procedure. This value preoperatively was 3.24 cm; postoperatively it decreased to 0.36 cm (p < 0.001), demonstrating a statistically significant improvement.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Shoulder deformities in obstetric brachial plexus paralysis: a computed tomography study.

Obstetric brachial plexus palsy invariably involves the upper roots. If left untreated, characteristic deformities of the shoulder are common sequelae. The most objective way to investigate these shoulder deformities is computed tomographic (CT) scanning of bilateral upper limbs. In this study, specific measurements on CT scans of bilateral upper extremities were performed in a population of patients with obstetric brachial plexus palsy before and after reconstruction (nerve repairs and secondary procedures). The measurements showed that the restoration of external rotation and the scapula stabilization procedure correct the inclination of the humeral head, improve the joint congruency significantly, and decrease the winging of the scapula, thus improving the kinetics of the shoulder. Periodic CT measurement is an objective method of measuring the changes at the shoulder joint that occur over time during the natural evolution of the obstetric brachial plexus palsy lesion and of documenting the benefits of microsurgical intervention.

Brachial Plexus↗