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Biomedical subjects

R Luchetti

Publications and source records attributed to R Luchetti.

35 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Carpal tunnel syndrome: correlations between pressure measurement and intraoperative electrophysiological nerve study.

In 19 carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients and 4 control subjects a catheter was introduced into the carpal tunnel and slowly retracted in 5 mm steps. Pressure was measured with the continuous infusion technique. In the same group of patients and controls, median nerve antidromic sensory action potential (aSAP) was detected intraoperatively stimulating proximally (S1), in the center (S2), and distally (S3) to the carpal tunnel and recording from the third finger (R). Sensory conduction velocity (SCV) and aSAP amplitude were considered in S1-S2, S2-S3 and S3-R segments. The intracarpal tunnel pressure was significantly higher in CTS patients than in controls, with the highest values located between 25 and 35 mm distal to the proximal border of the flexor retinaculum. SCV and aSAP amplitude were also decreased most often in the distal part (S2-S3) of the carpal tunnel.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗
PubMed1989

Carpal-tunnel pressure.

Using the constant infusion technique, we have measured the pressures within the carpal tunnel in 30 hands in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and in 4 hands in control subjects. The mean pressure in the normal, control subjects was 13 mmHg and in the carpal tunnel syndrome patients 26 mmHg. In the normal subjects the pressures did not change along the canal, whereas in the patients the values in the middle section were 50 percent higher than the mean. Our results correspond to reports of computed tomography and magnetic resonance recordings of nonuniform dimension of the carpal tunnel.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The use of CT scan in evaluating Volkmann's syndrome in the limbs.

Between January 1980 and October 1986 26 cases of Volkmann's syndrome were submitted to preoperative CT scan. Thirteen were localised in the upper limb, 11 in the lower limb, and 2 were cases of pseudo-Volkmann's disease. CT scan allowed us to confirm the densitometric features and distribution of muscle infarction in the various muscle planes. Thus, two groups were distinguished, each with different densitometric features: a first group with diffuse hypodensity of the muscular sheaths with unclear borders, and a coefficient of attenuation at approximately 30-40 H.U., which at operation corresponded to diffuse fibrosis; a second group with defined hypodensity of the various muscle groups equal to 10-20 H.U., which at operation gave a macroscopic picture of infarction. CT scan provides a detailed preoperative topographical and morphological evaluation of the infarction area, and therefore a treatment plan based on a more accurate knowledge of the anatomical and pathological lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Acquired Madelung-like deformity in a gymnast.

High-level gymnastic training may cause clinical and radiographic changes in the wrist. A case is reported demonstrating bilateral closure of the ulnar side of the distal radius epiphyseal plate in a patient with a history of high-level gymnastic training. Cumulative microtrauma to the ulnar side of the distal radius epiphyseal plate may cause premature closure leading to a Madelung-like deformity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Assessment of sensory nerve conduction in carpal tunnel syndrome before, during and after operation.

Sensory conduction velocities of the median nerve before, during and after operation were compared in nine patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and four controls, in order to evaluate the prognostic value of the pre-operative and intra-operative findings. Sensory conduction velocity was higher after operation than before in all patients (mean difference 31.33%), but not in control subjects. One patient showed a dramatic increase of 157% immediately after decompression. Comparing the intra-operative with the post-operative findings all patients but one showed an increase of antidromic sensory conduction velocity (mean 44.37%), while in control subjects again minimal changes were found (mean -4.25%). The study confirms the high diagnostic value of the pre-operative antidromic sensory conduction velocity findings. However, the prognostic value of both pre-operative and intra-operative ASCV findings is low.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

[Blocked metacarpophalangeal joint: etiologic factors and treatment].

The metacarpo-phalangeal is a crucial joint and its stiffness deeply affects hand function. A series of 15 post-traumatic cases resulting in a complete and irreversible block of the joint is presented. Indication for joint release are given and the surgical technique is described. Different approaches are utilized in relationship to associated lesions. Post-operative treatment and percentages of improvement in joint excursion for each digit are reported. All working patients resumed the previous job even in presence of a limited articular gain. Best results where confined uncomplicated post-traumatic cases with crushing of surrounding soft tissues.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

MR evaluation of triangular fibrocartilage complex tears in the wrist: comparison with arthrography and arthroscopy.

To evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) in the detection of tears of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC), 10 consecutive patients with posttraumatic chronic wrist pain were examined with MR, arthrography, and arthroscopy and the results were compared. The MR images of 16 control subjects were also examined to define the MR appearance of the normal TFCC. When compared with arthroscopic findings, both MR and arthrography had two false-negative results (sensitivity, 80%) and no false-positive results. Regarding the sites of the TFCC tears, the findings on MR did not always correlate with the findings on arthrography. In no case was MR able to visualize the cartilaginous lesions visible by arthroscopy. These preliminary results illustrate the ability of MR to assess the integrity of the TFCC and suggest its use as the first imaging technique following plain radiography in the evaluation of patients with chronic posttraumatic pain on the ulnar side of the wrist.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Vascularized nerve graft: a clinical contribution.

The authors present 4 cases of vascularized nerve graft. The results were better than those obtained with traditional grafting. The indication is a rare one, and the experimental results are contradictory. Indications are limited to Volkmann ischemic syndromes, post-actinic lesions of the brachial plexus, infections and finally, post-burning scarring. Nevertheless, traditional nerve grafts remain the treatment of choice for peripheral nerve lesions which cannot undergo direct suturing.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

New approaches to the prediction of the folding of membrane proteins with redox function.

A new method is elaborated for determining the hydropathy profile of membrane haemoproteins. The method is called membrane propensity for haemoproteins (MPH) and is based on the statistical analysis of the amino acid composition of the predicted transmembrane regions of cytochrome b from the bc1 and the b6f complexes. The accuracy of the MPH method in predicting the ends of the known transmembrane segments of the reaction center of Rhodopseudomonas viridis is higher than that obtained by hydropathy methods based on physico-chemical parameters. The MPH method is able to clearly exclude from the membrane polypeptides that are not consistently predicted to be transmembrane by other methods or techniques, for instance the region corresponding to helix IV of mitochondrial cytochrome b. A correlation has been found between the shape of the hydropathy profile of the transmembrane segments predicted by this new method and the known structure of the membrane-spanning helices of Rhodobacter reaction centers. From the above correlation it is proposed that the haem-coordinating domain of mitochondrial cytochrome b is folded in a novel structure, called "clepsydra domain", which is formed by distorted transmembrane helices packed in a waisted antiparallel bundle.

Amino Acids↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Short palmar incision: a new surgical approach for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The authors describe the method of decompression of the median nerve by section of the transverse ligament of the carpus for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome using a mini-incision. Use of the method is backed up by an extensive review of the literature concerning the problem of pain in the interthenar region, a complication occurring in wider incisions.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome↗