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At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources

PubMed2000

Kinematic synergy adaptation to microgravity during forward trunk movement.

The aim of the present investigation was to see whether the kinematic synergy responsible for equilibrium control during upper trunk movement was preserved in absence of gravity constraints. In this context, forward trunk movements were studied during both straight-and-level flights (earth-normal gravity condition: normogravity) and periods of weightlessness in parabolic flights (microgravity). Five standing adult subjects had their feet attached to a platform, their eyes were open, and their hands were clasped behind their back. They were instructed to bend the trunk (the head and the trunk together) forward by approximately 35 degrees with respect to the vertical in the sagittal plane as fast as possible in response to a tone, and then to hold the final position for 3 s. The initial and final anteroposterior center of mass (CM) positions (i.e., 200 ms before the onset of the movement and 400 ms after the offset of the movement, respectively), the time course of the anteroposterior CM shift during the movement, and the electromyographic (EMG) pattern of the main muscles involved in the movement were studied under both normo- and microgravity. The kinematic synergy was quantified by performing a principal components analysis on the hip, knee, and ankle angle changes occurring during the movement. The results indicate that 1) the anteroposterior position of the CM remains minimized during performance of forward trunk movement in microgravity, in spite of the absence of equilibrium constraints; 2) the strong joint coupling between hip, knee, and ankle, which characterizes the kinematic synergy in normogravity and which is responsible for the minimization of the CM shift during movement, is preserved in microgravity. It represents an invariant parameter controlled by the CNS. 3) The EMG pattern underlying the kinematic synergy is deeply reorganized. This is in contrast with the invariance of the kinematic synergy. It is concluded that during short-term microgravity episodes, the kinematic synergy that minimizes the anteroposterior CM shift is surprisingly preserved due to fast adaptation of the muscle forces to the new constraint.

Acclimatization↗

PubMed2005

Quantitative aspects of the spatial distribution and morphological characteristics of the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.; Teleostei, Serranidae) trunk lateral line neuromasts.

The results presented herein report quantitative data relative to the distribution and morphological characteristics of both types of neuromasts encountered on the trunk lateral line of the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, L.). These data were obtained from scanning electron micrographs. They indicate that, as expected, each modified scale of the sea bass possessed a single canal neuromast with long axis oriented parallel to the fish's long axis. In contrast to several fish species, two thirds of superficial neuromasts observed herein were oriented perpendicular to the fish's long axis. However, whatever the main orientation of superficial neuromasts, two thirds of their hair bundles were oriented parallel to the long axis of the animal with approximately half of them in the direction of the head. Similar ratios were observed for canal neuromasts whatever the area of the maculae: central or peripheral. For both types of neuromasts it was not possible to clearly distinguish a paired organization of hair bundles with opposing polarities. Superficial neuromasts on each trunk canal scale were located on either the dorsal or ventral side of the canal and appeared to be distributed along the trunk lateral line with a higher probability to be encountered closer to the operculum. The frequency of presence and the average number of superficial neuromasts per scale increased with fish size. We observed a size gradient for canal neuromasts between the operculum and caudal peduncle. This gradation was correlated with a reduction of the width of the central area of the canal segment. Canal neuromasts were always localized in the larger portions of the canal segments. Taken together, these results point out some specific features associated with the sea bass trunk lateral line. With the previous report, they establish the first full description of the trunk lateral line of sea bass and will be useful for upcoming experiments regarding the function of the two types of neuromasts.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Trunk control as an early predictor of comprehensive activities of daily living function in stroke patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Prediction of activities of daily living (ADL) functions at an early stage after a stroke is critical because it enables clinicians to set treatment programs and goals. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between trunk control at an early stage and comprehensive ADL function (as assessed by combining basic ADL and instrumental ADL [IADL]) in patients at 6 months after stroke. METHODS: A total of 169 stroke patients participated in this prospective study. Trunk control was measured with the use of the trunk control items of the Postural Assessment Scale for Stroke Patients (PASS-TC). In addition to the PASS-TC score, age, sex, type of stroke, side of hemiparesis, urinary incontinence, limb paresis (measured by the Fugl-Meyer motor test), balance (measured by the Fugl-Meyer balance test), and basic ADL (measured by the Barthel Index) were also selected as predictor variables. These variables were assessed at 14 days after stroke or earlier. The Barthel Index and Frenchay Activities Index (measuring IADL) were administered at 6 months after stroke. The sum of the standardized Barthel Index and standardized Frenchay Activities Index scores was used to assess comprehensive ADL function. RESULTS: Multivariable stepwise linear regression analysis showed that PASS-TC score, age, Fugl-Meyer motor test score, and Barthel Index score (listed by the order of forward selection) were the strongest predictors of comprehensive ADL function. These results were internally validated with the use of the bootstrap resampling technique. The PASS-TC score alone accounted for 45% of the variance in predicting comprehensive ADL function. Results also indicated that the PASS-TC score had slightly more power in predicting comprehensive ADL function than either the Fugl-Meyer motor test score or Barthel Index score. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study provide strong evidence of the predictive value of trunk control on comprehensive ADL function in stroke patients. The results imply that early assessment and management of trunk control after stroke should be emphasized.

Abdomen↗

PubMed2006

Effect of growth hormone treatment on trunk fat accumulation in adult GH-deficient Japanese patients: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), both Japanese and Caucasian, have an abnormal body composition with pronounced abdominal obesity. This study aimed to evaluate changes in trunk fat with GH treatment. DESIGN: Double-blind, placebo-controlled study. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Sixty-one Japanese adult GH deficient patients (mean age 37 years) were randomised to either GH, titrated to 0.012 mg/kg/day, (n = 30) or placebo (n = 31) for 24 weeks. Body composition, by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), was evaluated at a central laboratory for trunk fat, total body fat and lean body mass. Serum lipid levels were also determined centrally. RESULTS: At baseline, 26 (42.6%) patients had a body mass index (BMI) > or = 25 kg/m(2), the threshold for obesity-related complications for Japanese subjects. Median trunk fat mass (FM) was > or = 9.0 kg for each treatment and gender group, higher than the cut-off for increased age-adjusted risk for cardiovascular complications reported in the normal Japanese population. After 24 weeks of GH treatment, the change in percentage trunk FM was -3.4 +/- 0.6%, versus 0.4 +/- 0.6% with placebo (p < 0.001). Change in total body FM was -2.8 +/- 0.5% with GH and 0.0 +/- 0.5% with placebo, indicating that the decrease in trunk fat was more pronounced than for total body fat. Total and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol were both significantly (p < 0.001) decreased compared with placebo. One patient discontinued due to a subdural haematoma and one had GH dose reduced due to hyperglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Japanese patients with GHD have abnormal central fat accumulation, which is reduced by GH treatment over 24 weeks. This may reduce cardiovascular risk but the GH dose should be individualised to maintain IGF-I in the normal range.

Abdominal Fat↗

PubMed2006

Study of trunk asymmetry in normal children and adolescents.

The scoliometer readings in both standing and sitting position of 2071 children and adolescents (1099 boys and 972 girls) aged from 5 to 18 years old were studied. The angle of trunk rotation (ATR) was measured, in order to quantify the existing trunk asymmetry. Children and adolescents were divided in two groups according to the severity of trunk asymmetry. In the first group asymmetry was 1 to 6 degrees and in the second group was 7 or more degrees. Radiographic and leg length inequality evaluation were also performed in a number of children. The mean frequency of symmetric (ATR = 0 degrees) boys and girls was 67.06% and 65.01% for the standing screening position and 76.5% and 75.1% for the sitting position, respectively. The mean difference of frequency of asymmetry (ATR > 0 degrees) at standing minus sitting forward bending position for boys and girls was 10.22% and 9.37%, respectively. The mean frequency of asymmetry of 7 or more degrees was 3.23% for boys and 3.92% for girls at the standing forward bending position and 1.62% and 2.21% at the sitting, respectively. Girls are found to express higher frequency of asymmetry than boys. Right trunk asymmetry was more common than left. The sitting position is the preferred screening position for examining the rib or loin hump during school screening as it demonstrates the best correlation with the spinal deformity exposing the real trunk asymmetry.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Home-based trunk-strengthening exercise for osteoporotic and osteopenic postmenopausal women without fracture--a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether a 12-week home-based programme of trunk-strengthening exercise could benefit spinal mobility, function and quality of life for osteoporotic and osteopenic postmenopausal women without fracture. DESIGNS: Randomized controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Department of Physical Therapy in National Taiwan University Hospital. SUBJECTS: Twenty-eight postmenopausal women (mean age 60.3+/-9.3 years) diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia without fracture history were recruited for this study. Subjects were randomly assigned into exercise or control groups, each consisting of 14 subjects. INTERVENTIONS: The 12-week exercise programme included strengthening routines for the trunk extensor and flexor muscles. The subjects performed three sets of 10 repetitions for each of the exercises, with programmes carried out three times per day at home. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Muscular strength, spinal range of motion (ROM) and motion velocity, Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ) and quality of life (QOL) were measured before the start and after completion of the exercise programme. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements were demonstrated in spinal ROM and motion velocity in the sagittal and frontal planes for the exercise group (p<0.05). Further, the strength of the trunk flexors and extensors increased after exercise training (p<0.05). ODQ measure was significantly reduced in the exercise group (p<0.05), while the controls showed no significant change. Subjects in the exercise group showed better satisfaction in some domains of the Short-Form-36 Health Survey quality of life questionnaire (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This 12-week home-based trunk-strengthening exercise programme could improve trunk mobility and strength, and enhance QOL in osteoporotic and osteopenic postmenopausal women without vertebral fracture. Future study should recruit more cases or more severe subjects to verify the results.

Bone Diseases, Metabolic↗

PubMed1995

Segmental migration of trunk neural crest: time-lapse analysis reveals a role for PNA-binding molecules.

Trunk neural crest cells migrate through the somites in a striking segmental fashion, entering the rostral but not caudal sclerotome, via cues intrinsic to the somites. Attempts to define the molecular bases of these cues have been hampered by the lack of an accessible assay system. To examine trunk neural crest migration over time and to perturb candidate guiding molecules, we have developed a novel explant preparation. Here, we demonstrate that trunk regions of the chicken embryo, placed in explant culture, continue to develop apparently normally for 2 days. Neural crest cells, recognized by prelabeling with DiI or by poststaining with the HNK-1 antibody, migrate in the somites of the explants in their typical segmental pattern. Furthermore, this paradigm allows us to follow trunk neural crest migration in situ for the first time using low-light-level videomicroscopy. The trajectories of individual neural crest cells were often complex, with cells migrating in an episodic mode encompassing forward, backward and lateral movements. Frequently, neural crest cells migrated in close-knit groups of 2-4 cells, moving at mean rates of migration of 10-14 microns/hour. Treatment of the explants with the lectin peanut agglutinin (PNA) both slowed the rate and altered the pattern of neural crest migration. Neural crest cells entered both the rostral and caudal halves of the sclerotome with mean rates of migration ranging from 6 to 13 microns/hour. These results suggest that peanut agglutinin-binding molecules are required for the segmental patterning of trunk neural crest migration. Because this approach permits neural crest migration to be both observed and perturbed, it offers the promise of more direct assays of the factors that influence neural crest development.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Analysis of FGF function in normal and no tail zebrafish embryos reveals separate mechanisms for formation of the trunk and the tail.

To analyse the roles of FGF activity and brachyury during gastrulation we have directly compared the consequences of inhibition of FGF-receptor signalling with the phenotype of the zebrafish brachyury mutant, no tail (ntl). We show that expression of ntl is regulated by FGF and that inhibition of FGF receptor-signalling leads to complete loss of the trunk and tail. Since the ntl mutant lacks the tail and notochord but has an otherwise normal trunk, this demonstrates that trunk development is dependent upon an unidentified gene, or set of genes, referred to as no trunk (ntk) which is regulated by FGF. We propose a model to explain the FGF-dependent regulation of ntl and ntk that accounts for the above phenotypes. Consistent with this model, over-expression of eFGF led to suppression of anterior fates and development of trunk and tail derivatives only. In addition, widespread activation of convergence and extension movements resulted in the formation of multiple axis-like structures. Expression of eve1 and cad1 was also regulated by FGF activity, suggesting that during gastrulation FGF activity is normally restricted to the germ ring where these genes, and ntl, are expressed. Taken together these data suggest that the germ ring acts as a posteriorising centre during AP patterning, mediated by FGF activity in this tissue.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

The spatial control of Torso RTK activation: a C-terminal fragment of the Trunk protein acts as a signal for Torso receptor in the Drosophila embryo.

Regulated activation of receptor tyrosine kinases depends on both the presence of the receptors at the cell surface and on the availability of their ligands. In Drosophila, the torso tyrosine kinase receptor is distributed along the surface of the embryo but it is only activated at the poles by a diffusible extracellular ligand generated at each pole that is trapped by the receptor, thereby impeding further diffusion. Although it is known that this signal depends on the activity of several genes, such as torso-like and trunk, it is still unclear how is generated. The identification of the signal responsible for the torso receptor activation is an essential step towards understanding the mechanism that regulates the local restriction of torso signalling. Here we report that a fragment containing the carboxy-terminal 108 amino acids of the trunk protein retains trunk activity and is sufficient to activate torso signalling. We also show that this fragment bypasses the requirements for the other genes involved in the activation of the torso receptor. These results suggest that a cleaved form of the trunk protein acts as a signal for the torso receptor. We therefore propose that the restricted activation of the torso receptor is defined by the spatial control of the proteolytic processing of the trunk protein.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Bicycle seat designs and their effect on pelvic angle, trunk angle, and comfort.

PURPOSE: To examine whether bicycle seats with anterior-medial cutouts influence pelvic angle, trunk angle, and comfort in female subjects during cycling. METHODS: Twenty female cyclists pedaled a stationary bicycle with their hands on the tops and drops of the handlebars under three different saddle conditions (standard, partial, and complete cutout designs). Pelvic angle was measured using an inclinometer attached to a caliper whereas trunk angle was quantified from digitization of video images. Comfort level was assessed subjectively by having participants rank the saddles from most to least comfortable. RESULTS: Anterior pelvic tilt angles for the partial and complete cutout saddles were 8% and 16% greater, respectively, than values for the standard saddle condition ( P < 0.05). Trunk flexion angles were greater for the complete versus standard and partial cutout designs ( P< 0.05). Participants displayed a 77% greater anterior pelvic tilt angle and an 11% greater trunk flexion angle in the drop versus top handlebar positions ( P < 0.05). A total of 55% of the subjects ranked the partial cutout saddle as the most comfortable, and 30% ranked the standard saddle as the most comfortable. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that partial and complete cutout saddle designs may increase anterior pelvic tilt, and saddles with a complete cutout design may increase trunk flexion angles under select cycling conditions. A saddle with a partial cutout design may be more comfortable than a standard or complete cutout saddle design.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

An isokinetic profile of trunk rotation strength in elite tennis players.

PURPOSE: The changes in stroke production in the modern game of tennis have increased the demands on trunk rotation in elite tennis players. Unlike the shoulder, where unilateral strength adaptations have been identified, no study to date has objectively quantified side to side rotational trunk strength in elite tennis players. METHODS: One hundred nine elite tennis players were tested using a Cybex isokinetic torso rotation unit at 60 and 120 degrees x s(-1) to measure left and right rotation while stabilized in a seated position. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used with post hoc dependent t-tests where main effect differences were identified to determine side to side rotational differences. RESULTS: No significant difference in trunk rotation strength was measured in the elite male players. Peak torque to body weight ratios averaged 63.7 and 57.5% for forehand rotation (left rotation in right-handed player) and 64.4 and 59.2% for backhand rotation at 60 and 120 degrees x s(-1), respectively. In females, slightly greater (P < 0.001) backhand rotation strength (right rotation in a right-handed player) was measured at both testing speeds with peak torque to body weight ratios ranging between 47.7 and 45.1% for left rotation and 50.8 and 48.3% for right rotation at 60 and 120 degrees x s(-1), respectively. Left rotation/right rotation ratios ranged from 95 to 98% for males and from 94 to 96% for females. CONCLUSIONS: Elite-level male tennis players have symmetric trunk rotation strength. Elite female tennis players have slightly greater backhand rotation strength (by 4-8%) than forehand rotation. Conditioning programs for elite tennis players should include exercises to facilitate and develop bilateral trunk rotation.

Abdominal Muscles↗

PubMed2004

Elevation of a patient's trunk and legs does not influence length of stay in the post-anesthesia care unit.

CONTEXT: Patient recovery time after anesthesia depends on problem-oriented monitoring and individual assessment. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of patient positioning on post-anesthesia recovery time. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective. SETTING: Post-anesthesia care unit, Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo. METHODS: Data were obtained from patients recovering from anesthesia in a supine horizontal position or with their trunk and legs elevated at 30 degrees. Data were recorded every 30 minutes. The start time was considered to be the admission to the unit, and the final measurement was taken with the patient reached an Aldrete-Kroulik index of 10. The length of time until discharge was recorded. RESULTS: 442 patients recovering after general (n = 274) or regional anesthesia (n = 168) were assigned to be kept in a supine position or with their trunk and legs elevated. There was no difference in the medians for non-parametric results, between supine position (75 min, n = 229) and trunk and legs elevated (70 min, n = 213); p = 0.729. Patients recovered faster from regional anesthesia with trunk and legs elevated (70 min) than in the supine position (84.5 min), although not significantly (p = 0.097). There was no difference between patients recovering from general anesthesia, no matter the positioning (70 min; p = 0.493). DISCUSSION: Elevated legs may supposedly improve venous return and cardiac output since spinal anesthesia blocks sympathetic system and considering leg-raising has been shown to improve cardiac output from hipovolemia. Our findings did not support this hypothesis. Some limitations included a retrospective collection of data that did not allow randomization for recovery position and the unregistered duration of the exposure to the anesthetic drugs. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in anesthesia recovery time in relation to positioning patients supinely or with trunk and legs elevated.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Direct surgery of basilar trunk and vertebrobasilar junction aneurysms via the combined transpetrosal approach.

Surgical access to aneurysms of the basilar trunk and vertebrobasilar junction is hampered by their direct proximity of these lesions to highly vulnerable neural structures like the brain stem and cranial nerves, as well by the bony structure of the petrous bone blocking the direct surgical approach to these aneurysms. Only recently lateral approaches directed through parts of the petrous bone have been reported for surgery of basilar trunk and vertebrobasilar junction aneurysms like the anterior transpetrosal, the retrolabyrinthine transsigmoid, as well as the combined supra-infratentorial posterior transpetrosal approach. As experience in the use of this approach is limited in the neurosurgical literature we present our surgical experiences in 11 patients with basilar trunk and vertebrobasilar junction aneurysms, operated on using the supra-infratentorial posterior transpetrosal approach. In 10 patients, including one patient with a giant partially thrombosed basilar trunk aneurysm, direct clipping of the aneurysm via the transpetrosal route was possible. In one patient with a giant vertebrobasilar junction aneurysm, the completely calcified aneurysm sac was resected after occlusion of the vertebral artery. Of the whole series, one patient died and in three patients postoperative accentuation of preexisting cranial nerve deficits occurred. Except transient cerebrospinal fluid leak in two patients, the postoperative course was uneventful in the remaining patients. Postoperative angiography demonstrated complete aneurysm clipping in ten patients and relief of preoperative brain stem compression in the patient with the giant vertebrobasilar junction aneurysm. It is concluded, that the supra-infratentorial posterior transpetrosal approach allows excellent access to the basilar artery trunk and vertebrobasilar junction and can be considered the approach of choice to selected aneurysms located in this area.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Trunk fat and leg fat have independent and opposite associations with fasting and postload glucose levels: the Hoorn study.

OBJECTIVE: Waist and hip circumferences have been shown to have independent and opposite associations with glucose levels. Waist circumference is positively associated with glucose levels, whereas hip circumference is negatively associated. It is unclear which tissues are involved in the pathophysiological mechanism causing these associations. The main goal was to determine which tissue in the trunk and legs, fat or lean tissue, is associated with measures of glucose metabolism. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: In 623 participants of the third examination of the Hoorn Study, whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed to determine fat and lean soft-tissue mass in the trunk and legs. Fasting and 2-h postload glucose levels after 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were determined. After exclusion of known diabetic patients, cross-sectional analyses were performed in 275 men aged 60-87 years (140 with normal glucose metabolism, 92 with impaired glucose metabolism; and 43 with diabetes) and in 281 women (148 with normal glucose metabolism, 90 with impaired glucose metabolism, and 43 with diabetes). RESULTS: Greater trunk fat mass was associated with higher glucose levels after adjustment for age, trunk lean mass, leg lean mass, and leg fat mass. Standardized beta (95% CI) in men were 0.44 (0.25-0.64) for fasting and 0.41 (0.22-0.60) for postload glucose. For women, these values were 0.49 (0.35-0.63) and 0.47 (0.33-0.61), respectively. In contrast, in the same regression models, a larger leg fat mass was associated with lower glucose levels. Standardized beta in men were -0.24 (-0.43 to -0.05) and -0.12 (-0.31 to 0.07) and in women -0.24 (-0.37 to -0.10) and -0.27 (-0.40 to -0.13) for fasting and postload glucose, respectively. In these models, larger leg lean mass was also associated with lower glucose levels but was only statistically significant in men. CONCLUSIONS: If trunk fat is taken into account, accumulation of fat in the legs seems to be protective against a disturbed glucose metabolism, particularly in women. Further research is needed to unravel underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗

PubMed1997

A comparison of trunk extensor strength and squat lifting ability.

Back testing devices are frequently utilized in the clinic to assess function and return to work readiness in place of the job task, yet little research on their validity has been reported. This study was conducted to determine if correlations exist between squat lifting and isoinertial and isometric trunk extensor strength, torso length and isoinertial and isometric trunk extensor strength, and body weight and isoinertial and isometric trunk extensor strength. Twenty-eight subjects participated in two sessions involving B200 testing and 30.5 cm to knuckle lifting ability. Regression and correlations were performed. The results indicate that body weight and torso length do not demonstrate a relationship with trunk extensor strength, and isometric and isoinertial trunk extensor strength cannot be used accurately to estimate one's 30.5 cm to knuckle lifting ability. In conclusion, other anthropometric measures should be investigated if anthropometrics are used to estimate strength, and functional testing should be used to evaluate function.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Three cases of the gastrosplenic and the hepatomesenteric trunks.

Three common branches of the celiac trunk are the left gastric artery, the splenic artery and the common hepatic artery. The variation of the three branches of the celiac trunk has an importance for the arterial supply to the digestive organs of the upper abdomen. In this study, we present three cases of the gastrosplenic and the hepatomesenteric trunks in Japanese cadavers. Especially, in Case 1, the left inferior phrenic artery arose from the gastrosplenic trunk and the left hepatic artery arose from the left gastric artery. In Cases 2 and 3, the common hepatic artery penetrated the pancreatic parenchyma before reaching liver. In Case 3, the right hepatic artery arose from the hepatomesenteric trunk.

Cadaver↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Modulation by head and trunk positions of the vestibulo-spinal reflexes evoked by galvanic stimulation of the labyrinth. Observations by labyrinthine evoked EMG.

Modulation by head and trunk positions of the vestibulo-spinal reflexes was studied in the soleus muscle activities induced by galvanic stimulation of the labyrinth. The stimulation was applied using a bipolar-biaural method with the cathode on the right ear and the anode on the left ear. The intensity was 1 mA and duration 3 s. 1) When the labyrinth was stimulated with the head facing forward, soleus muscle activities increased on the right side and decreased on the left, with a latency of about 100 ms. In spite of the same stimulation, activities of the soleus muscle on both sides decreased with the head rotated to the right and increased with the head rotated to the left. 2) The responses in upper-body rotation were the same as in the case of head rotation. 3) In trunk rotation, some cases showed the same responses as with the trunk facing forward in rotation to the right and left, while others showed changes in muscular activities with the head rotation caused by rotating the trunk. 4) Changes in labyrinthine evoked EMG by head and trunk positions were considered to be due to interaction of vestibular and proprioceptive inputs on the interneurons of the spinal cord.

Ear, Inner↗

PubMed1996

Posterior transpetrosal approach to aneurysms of the basilar trunk and vertebrobasilar junction.

Aneurysms of the basilar trunk and vertebrobasilar junction represent an exceptional challenge to the neurosurgeon. Surgical access to these deep and confined lesions is hampered by the direct proximity of highly vulnerable neural structures such as the brainstem and cranial nerves, as well as by the structure of the petrous bone, which blocks direct surgical approach to these aneurysms. A number of surgical tactics consisting of different supra- and infratentorial approaches have been applied over the years to gain access to these treacherous lesions. Only recently have lateral approaches, such as the anterior transpetrosal, the retrolabyrinthine-transsigmoidal, and the combined supra/infratentorial-posterior transpetrosal approaches, directed through parts of the petrous bone, been reported for surgery of basilar trunk and vertebrobasilar junction aneurysms. Because detailed reports of direct operative intervention using the transpetrosal route for these rare and difficult lesions are scarce, the authors present their surgical experiences in nine patients with basilar trunk and vertebrobasilar junction aneurysms, in whom they operated via the supra/infratentorial-posterior transpetrosal approach. In eight patients, including one with a giant partially thrombosed basilar trunk aneurysm, direct clipping of the aneurysm via the transpetrosal route was possible. In one patient with a giant vertebrobasilar junction aneurysm, the completely calcified aneurysm sac was resected after occlusion of the vertebral artery. In total, one patient died and another experienced postoperative accentuation of preexisting cranial nerve deficits. Two patients had transient cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and the postoperative course was uneventful in the remaining seven. Postoperative angiography demonstrated complete aneurysm clipping in eight patients and relief of preoperative brainstem compression in the patient with the giant vertebrobasilar junction aneurysm. It is concluded that the supra/infratentorial-posterior transpetrosal approach allows excellent access to the basilar artery trunk and vertebrobasilar junction and can be considered the approach of choice to selected aneurysms located in this area.

Adult↗