Gary Davidoff

Function-limiting dysesthetic pain syndrome among traumatic spinal cord injury patients: a cross-sectional study

&NA; Diffuse burning dysesthetic sensations distal to the level of spinal injury are the most common and disabling painful sequelae of traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). In a cross‐sectional study of 19 SCI patients, clinical characteristics and results of 3 validated pain measurement instruments (McGill Pain Questionnaire, Stembach Pain Intensity and Zung Pain and Distress Scale) were used to develop a profile of function‐limiting dysesthetic pain sydrome (DPS). Compared to a cohort of 147 patients admitted to the Midwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury Care System during the time period of the study, subjects were more likely to have paraplegia, incomplete sensory myelopathy, gunshot wounds to the spine and non‐surgical spinal stabilization. Most patients described the pain as ‘cutting,’ &bgr;urning,’ ‘piercing,’ ‘radiating’ and ‘tight.’ The majority of patients located the pain internally and in the lower extremities. Values obtained from 6 McGill Pain Questionnaire subscales, 2 Sternbach Pain Intensity ratings and the Zung Pain and Distress index equalled or exceeded those reported for other pain syndromes. Use of these validated pain measures resulted in a systematic comprehensive assessment of function‐limiting DPS following SCI.

Trazodone hydrochloride in the treatment of dysesthetic pain in traumatic myelopathy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

&NA; Dysesthetic pain following traumatic myelopathy is characterized by diffuse burning and tingling sensations distal to the level of spinal injury. The dysesthetic pain syndrome (DPS) can compromise performance of functional abilities and inhibit participation in rehabilitation programs. Recent laboratory evidence suggests that antidepressant medications with selective inhibition of serotonin reuptake in the brain may be associated with superior analgesic effect compared to such non‐selective agents as amitriptyline. Trazodone hydrochloride is a potent presynaptic serotonin reuptake blocker with few anticholinergic and cardiovascular side effects. This study was a randomized, double‐blind, placebocontrolled trial of trazodone hydrochloride for the treatment of DPS. Following a 2‐week placebo lead‐in period, patients were randomized to a 6‐week course of 150 mg trazodone hydrochloride/day or placebo. Evaluations of pain quality and intensity were performed at 2‐week intervals, utilizing the McGill Pain Questionnaire, Sternbach Pain Intensity Scale, and Zung Pain and Distress Index. Neurologic examination and assessment of side effects were performed at each evaluation session. No significant changes were noted in reported pain measures between patients allocated to the active drug group and those given placebo during the course of the protocol. However, significantly more patients randomized to trazodone complained of side effects and prematurely terminated their participation in the study. The results of this investigation are consistent with those of other earlier trials which indicate that such antidepressant medications as trazodone hydrochloride which selectively inhibit presynaptic reuptake of serotonin, may not be effective in the control of certain pain syndromes. These results do not preclude the possible utility of these agents in the treatment of other pain syndromes or at higher doses than previously studied.

Compressive mononeuropathies of the upper extremity in chronic paraplegia

Controversy exists with regard to the actual prevalence of compressive mononeuropathies at the wrist which may occur following chronic paraplegia. Thirty one chronic paraplegics, with a mean age of 37.9 years (range 20–68 years), and mean time since injury of 9.7 years (range 1–28 years), were studied with a comprehensive neurologic and electrodiagnostic (EDX) assessment. No patient had any clinical or EDX evidence of a peripheral polyneuropathy. The diagnosis of a median mononeuropathy at the wrist was determined by the following criteria: (a) prolonged median sensory distal latency > ipsilateral ulnar sensory distal latency ≥ 0.5 msec; (b) a median mid-palmar sensory latency > ipsilateral ulnar mid-palmar sensory latency of ≥ 0.3 msec; or (c) a median motor distal latency ≥ 1.7 milliseconds as compared to the ipsilateral ulnar motor distal latency. Ulnar mononeuropathy at the wrist or across the elbow was also characterised. The EDX criteria for a median mononeuropathy at the wrist was met in 55% of subjects (24% of these with bilateral presentations). The location of ulnar mononeuropathies included: two at the superficial sensory branch at the wrist, one at the deep motor branch at the wrist, and three patients with a conduction block across the elbow. Overall, 67% of all patients tested had evidence of at least one mononeuropathy of the upper extremity.There was no association between prevalence of compressive mononeuropathies and age of the patient or time since onset of injury.

Factors affecting the sensitivity and specificity of the three-phase technetium bone scan in the diagnosis of reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome in the upper extremity.

The three-phase technetium bone scan has been recommended for use in the diagnosis of the reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome with a sensitivity and specificity of greater than 90%. A retrospective chart review was conducted of 63 patients who had three-phase technetium bone scan as part of a work-up for unexplained upper extremity pain, to determine the predictive value of the three-phase technetium bone scan in reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, and what factors might affect it. The prevalence of definite or probable reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, as assessed by Kozins criteria, was 26% in this sample. The 3-hour delayed image demonstrated a sensitivity = 50%; specificity = 92%; positive predictive value = 67%, and negative predictive value = 84%. This was not improved using the data from the blood flow or pool phase. The sensitivity of 50% is lower than previous reports. The predictive value of the three-phase technetium bone scan was affected by the duration of symptoms and the age of the patient. Duration of symptoms less than 6 months, or ages more than 50 years substantially increased the sensitivity and positive predictive value of the three-phase technetium bone scan.

Pain measurement in reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome

&NA; The reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS) consists of a triad of pain, edema and sympathetic dysfunction of an extremity following trauma, peripheral nerve injury or central nervous system disorder. Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome is a difficult and costly pain syndrome to treat. One of the difficulties in evaluating treatment efficacy is the objectification and quantification of patient findings. The purpose of this investigation was to develop a simple, reproducible and systematic evaluation of pain and neurologic impairment in RSDS. The protocol evaluation included the following measures of pain and impairment: (1) objectification of distal joint pain by palpation (0–4 scale); (2) volumetric measurement by water displacement of the distal limb; (3) skin temperature measurement; (4) active range of motion assessment of the affected limb (AROM); (5) McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ); and (6) visual analogue pain scale (VAS). Seventeen subjects with definite or probable RSDS were evaluated. The mean age of patients was 35.6 years ± 8.0 years (±2 S.E.M.), and the mean duration of symptoms was 11.8 ± 4.8 months. There were an equal number of subjects with upper and lower extremity involvement. The VAS had significant correlations with limb volume, AROM‐lower extremity and joint pain indices (P < 0.0005). The MPQ subscales had robust correlation with the joint pain indices alone (P < 0.0001). Skin temperature was not predictive of changes in joint pain score, AROM, limb volume or subjective pain measures. However, there was internal consistency between volumetric and AROM measures and joint pain indices. This protocol is recommended for use in therapeutic trials for the treatment of the RSDS.

A controlled study of neuropsychological deficits in acute spinal cord injury patients.

According to a number of studies, between 40% and 60% of acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) patients demonstrate cognitive dysfunction resulting from various forms of cerebral damage, including concurrent or premorbid closed head injury, chronic alcohol or substance abuse, and other causes. However, applicability of findings from these reports has been limited due to the use of inadequate neuropsychological testing techniques and the lack of control data. In a collaborative investigation, 81 acute SCI patients and 61 non-injured control subjects between 18 and 55 years of age completed a comprehensive motor-free neuropsychological test battery, including: Halstead Category Test (HCT), Vocabulary Subtest (VOCAB) of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Revised; Mental Control (MC) Subtest, and Initial and Recall trials of Logical Memory (LM) and Paired Associates (PA) Subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale; and the 8 trials of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). Percentages of retained information on the LM and PA were also calculated. Impairment levels for each test were defined as values which exceeded two standard deviations (one-tailed) from the control mean. Based on this definition, the prevalence of neuropsychological abnormality on each test ranged between 10% and 40%. Mean performance levels of patients were significantly more impaired than those of control subjects for all tests except for the Interference trial of the RAVLT and for the percentages of retained information on the LM and PA subtests. Comparison of test results of SCI patients with those of control subjects demonstrates that poor attention span and limited initial learning ability are frequent problems among SCI patients. Other common neuropsychological deficits among these patients include poor concentration ability, impaired memory function, and altered problem solving ability. These deficits may interfere with rehabilitation following SCI.

Exercise testing and training of persons with dysvascular amputation: Safety and efficacy of arm ergometry

Recent studies indicate that most persons with dysvascular amputation also have moderate to severe cardiovascular disease with impairment in functional capacity. This may limit the ability to achieve optimal function with their prosthesis because of inadequate conditioning. We developed an exercise testing and training program using arm ergometry in conjunction with standard rehabilitation for persons with acute dysvascular amputation who were profoundly deconditioned after complicated perioperative courses. The program consisted of daily arm ergometry, performed on an interval basis, at an intensity individually optimized through exercise testing. Twenty-five patients, with a mean age of 63 years, completed the inpatient program with pretest and discharge work performance assessment. There was no significant difference between pretest and discharge assessment of baseline or peak heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, or Borg rating of perceived exertion. Peak systolic blood pressure was elevated at discharge compared to admission testing (p less than .04). Heart rate responses were decreased during the early stages of testing when comparing discharge telemetry to admission findings. The duration of exercise increased from 12.6 minutes to 16.3 minutes (p less than .0004), and the maximum work output increased from 17.1 watts to 23.5 watts (p less than .0004). There was no significant morbidity associated with either arm ergometry testing or the exercise program. We conclude that arm ergometry testing and training is a safe and effective method for improving the efficiency of arm work in the patient with acute dysvascular amputation.

An open trial of vacuum penile tumescence : constriction therapy for neurological impotence

Sexual dysfunction is a frequent result of traumatic and non traumatic neurological disorders, including spinal cord injury, stroke, traumatic brain injury and autonomic neuropathy (for example, as may be seen in patients with diabetes mellitus). Although many methods have been suggested for the treatment of some of these problems in male patients, most are invasive and have a substantial morbidity. This is the report of a pilot trial of vacuum tumescence constriction therapy for 30 patients with chronic neurological impotence. Seventeen of these patients, following sexual counselling and training, decided to purchase such a device. At follow up, a mean of 21 months, over 50% of those who had purchased the device were still actively using it. The frequency of coitus increased from 0.3/wk to 1.5/wk (t = -5.7; p < 0.0001). No significant morbidity was reported by patients. Vacuum tumescence constriction therapy shows promise as a noninvasive method for the treatment of neurological impotence.

Risk Factors for Median Mononeuropathy of the Wrist in Postpoliomyelitis Patients

There is evidence that chronic cane, crutch, and wheelchair users are at increased risk for developing pain and functional compromise of the wrist and hand. This investigation examined the prevalence and risk factors for median mononeuropathy at the wrist in the postpoliomyelitis population. The medical records of 148 consecutive patients with histories of poliomyelitis were reviewed. Forty-nine percent of this cohort had complaints of wrist pain. The prevalence rate of carpal tunnel syndrome was 22% (n = 33). Age, sex, duration of disability, and work history did not significantly influence the relative risk of developing this disorder. However, the relative risk of developing this compression neuropathy at the wrist by using the combination of a cane and/or a crutch and a wheelchair was 4.86 (95% confidence interval 2.35-10.06). The high risk associated with chronic cane, crutch, and wheelchair use shows the need for developing preventive strategies.

The reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome associated with traumatic myelopathy: report of 5 cases

&NA; Pain is a frequent problem following recent traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Of specific concern in the rehabilitation setting is function‐limiting hand pain which prevents optimal participation in therapy and limits independence. A treatable etiology of function‐limiting hand pain in SCI is the reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome (RSDS). The presentation of RSDS in patients with recent SCI can be easily confused with that of dysesthetic (central origin) or radicular pain. Previous reports of RSDS associated with recent traumatic SCI have not been based on specific clinical criteria outlined in recent literature, and treatment has not been evaluated by objective outcome measures. This report describes 5 cases of RSDS associated with recent traumatic SCI that are identified by specific clinical criteria and are confirmed by a 3 phase bone scan. It is suggested that aggressive early intervention is necessary to obtain optimal functional outcome and minimize length of hospital‐based rehabilitation.