In this paper in the March 2009 issue of Leprosy Review van Veen et al. presented an article on evaluating three simplified nerve function impairments (NFI) in leprosy. I have a question and a comment on this study. Question: In this multi-centric study in two countries, the authors decided to recruit at least 50 patients from each centre as samples; thus in 8 centres a total sample population ...

Although supraclavicular brachial plexus block (SCBPB) was repopularized by the introduction of ultrasound, its usefulness in shoulder surgery has not been widely reported. The objective of this study was to compare motor and sensory blockades, the incidence of side effects, and intraoperative opioid analgesic requirements between SCBPB and interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB) in patients...

objective(s): the present study was aimed to investigate the influence of thoracic epidural blockade on hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats. materials and methods: forty eight wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups, named normoxia hypoxia hypoxia/ ropivacaine and hypoxia/saline. animals were placed in a hypoxia chamber and instrumented with epidural catheters at the th...

Sensory maps are created as a result of the precise architecture of neurons and their projections within the brain. The formation of these maps during development requires the appropriate positioning of neuronal axons and dendrites. Glutamate receptors of the N-methyl-Daspartate (NMDA) class have been shown to play a clear role in neuronal plasticity that underlies learning and memory, their ro...

Background: To study the efficacy of spinal analgesia with low concentration bupivacaine for anorectal surgery as compared to low dose bupivacaine epidural analgesia. Methods: This randomized control study was conducted on 60 adult patients undergoing elective anorectal surgery. The patients were randomly allocated into one of three groups of 20 patient’s each. The two treatment arms received s...

BACKGROUND We reviewed the literature on published cases of progressive facial hemiatrophy (Parry-Romberg syndrome) to identify possible pathophysiological mechanisms of the syndrome. OBJECTIVE To describe the somatosensory phenotype of a previously unreported patient with progressive facial hemiatrophy and facial pain. DESIGN Case report and 4-month follow-up period. SETTING University-b...

Background The supraclavicular approach is considered to be the easiest and most effective approach to block the brachial plexus for upper limb surgeries. The classical approach using the anatomical landmark technique was associated with higher failure rates and complications. Ultrasonography (USG) guidance and peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) have improved the success rates and safety margin....

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) often leads to neurotrophic ulcerations in the cornea and skin; however, the underlying cellular mechanisms of this complication are poorly understood. Here, we used post-wound corneal sensory degeneration and regeneration as a model and tested the hypothesis that diabetes adversely affects DC populations and infiltration, resulting in disrupted DC-nerve com...

Objective(s): The present study was aimed to investigate the influence of thoracic epidural blockade on hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats. Materials and Methods: Forty eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups, named normoxia hypoxia hypoxia/ ropivacaine and hypoxia/saline. Animals were placed in a hypoxia chamber and instrumented with epidural catheters at the t...

Abstract Background Brachial plexus block has substituted general anesthesia in the majority of patients planned for upper limb surgeries as it avoids undesired effects medications used well stress response associated with airway manipulation. Opioid agonist–antagonists such nalbuphine are adjuvant to improve anesthetic properties bupivacaine. Verapamil an additive effect brachial blockade form...