OBJECTIVE: In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine as an adjuvant treatment to ropivacaine in children undergoing upper limb surgeries under ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus blocks and general anesthesia.
METHODS: We enrolled 90 children (aged 1-8 years; ASA I-II) undergoing closed reduction and internal fixation for upper extremity fractures at the Xiamen Children\'s Hospital and randomly assigned them to one of two groups: L (injection with 0.25% ropivacaine) or D (injection with 0.25% ropivacaine containing 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine) using the random number table method. The main outcome indicators recorded were the facial expression, leg activity, position, crying, and Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale scores of children after surgery and the duration of block and analgesia maintenance. The secondary outcome indicators were vital sign data at the time of ultrasound probe placement (T1), at the time of block completion (T2), prior to the beginning of surgery (T3), 5 min after the beginning of surgery (T4), and at the end of surgery (T5), as well as the time of postoperative recovery, the number of cases of remedial analgesia, and complications.
RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of general data, block completion time, postoperative recovery time, and complications (P > 0.05). Compared to the L group, the D group had significantly lower FLACC scores at 6 h after surgery, as well as significantly lower systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate values at T4 and T5, and significantly longer duration of postoperative analgesia maintenance (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg) as a local anesthetic adjuvant to ropivacaine can alleviate pain at 6 h postoperatively, prolong analgesia maintenance, and reduce intraoperative blood pressure and heart rate in pediatric patients undergoing closed reduction and internal fixation for upper extremity fractures, with no obvious complications or delayed recovery.
UNASSIGNED: Registration website: www.chictr.org.cn, Registration number: ChiCTR2200065163, Registration date: October, 30, 2022.

Objective: To compare the postoperative analgesic effect of modified superior trunk block and traditional interscalene brachial plexus block in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods: A total of 40 patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from October to November 2023 were prospectively included, whose American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade were Ⅰ-Ⅱ. They were divided into modified superior trunk block group (group S) and interscalene brachial plexus block group (group I) by random number table according to different nerve block methods, with 20 cases in each group. Local anesthetics was a mixture of 1.33% liposomal bupivacaine and 0.5% levobupivacaine hydrochloride injection in equal volume. Patients in group S were injected 5 ml mixture for ultrasound-guided modified superior trunk block, and patients in group I were injected with 15 ml mixture for ultrasound-guided traditional interscalene block respectively. Both groups underwent superficial cervical plexus block (5 ml mixture). Standardized general anesthesia and standardized postoperative analgesia were followed. The primary outcome measures included 48 h resting numerical rating scale (NRS) scores after surgery and the incidence of hemidiaphragmatic paralysis (HDP) at 30 min after block. The secondary outcome measures included resting NRS scores during the post anesthesia care unit (PACU), 12, 24, and 36 h after surgery, postoperative opioid consumption and satisfaction with analgesia, pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) at 30 min after block, sensory and motor block duration, and the incidence of perioperative adverse reactions. The non-inferiority cut-off value of resting NRS scores for patients in group S was set as\"1 point\"at each observation time point after surgery. Results: In group S, one patient was excluded because the target nerve was blocked by the subclavian vein and could not be blocked, nineteen patients [11 males and 8 females, aged (52.2±9.0) years] were eventually included. In group I, there were 7 males and 13 females, aged (55.0±5.1) years. Resting NRS scores of group S and Group I at 48 h after surgery were 0 (0, 0) and 0 (0, 0.8) point, respectively, with no statistical significance (P>0.05). The median difference was 0 (95%CI:0-0) point and the upper 95%CI was 0 point, which was lower than the preset non-inferiority cut-off value\"1 point\"(non-inferiority P<0.001). The incidence of HDP in group S and group I were 5% (1/19) and 75% (15/20), respectively, with statistically significant (P<0.001). There were no significant differences in resting NRS scores at PACU and 12, 24, 36 h after surgery, opioid dosage, satisfaction with analgesia, SpO2 at 30 min after block, sensory and motor block duration between two groups (all P>0.05). No respiratory adverse events such as hypoxemia and airway spasm occurred in two groups after extubation. One patient in group I showed symptoms of breath shortness when entering PACU, and 3 patients felt uncomfortable due to prolonged numbness and weakness of the blockade limb (>2 days). No nerve block procedures and opioid drugs relative adverse reactions and no neurological complications happened in both groups. Conclusion: Liposomal bupivacaine usage for modified superior trunk block can provide long-term postoperative analgesic effects which is noninferior to traditional interscalene brachial plexus block and causes less HDP in patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
目的： 比较改良臂丛上干阻滞与传统肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞在关节镜下肩袖修补术后的镇痛效果。 方法： 前瞻性纳入2023年10至11月温州医科大学附属第二医院行关节镜下肩袖修补术患者40例，美国麻醉医师协会（ASA）分级Ⅰ~Ⅱ级。根据不同神经阻滞方法，采用随机数字表法分为改良臂丛上干阻滞组（S组）及肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞组（I组），每组20例。局部麻醉用药均为1.33%布比卡因脂质体注射液与0.5%盐酸左布比卡因等容积混合液；S组采用混合液5 ml行改良臂丛上干阻滞，I组采用混合液15 ml行肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞；两组均行颈浅丛阻滞（混合液5 ml），随后实施标准化全身麻醉及标准化术后镇痛。主要观察指标为术后48 h静息数字评定量表（NRS）评分及神经阻滞后30 min 单侧膈肌麻痹（HDP）发生率。次要观察指标包括麻醉后恢复室（PACU）期间及术后12、24、36 h静息NRS评分，术后阿片类药物消耗量及镇痛满意度，阻滞后30 min的脉搏血氧饱和度（SpO2）、感觉及运动阻滞时长、围手术期不良反应发生率。S组患者术后各观察时间点静息NRS评分的非劣效界值设定为“1分”。 结果： S组1例患者因目标神经被锁骨下静脉阻挡，无法实施阻滞而排除，最终纳入19例，男11例，女8例，年龄（52.2±9.0）岁；I组男7例，女13例，年龄（55.0±5.1）岁。S组和I组术后48 h静息NRS评分分别为0（0，0）和0（0，0.8）分，差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）；中位数差值为0（95%CI：0~0）分，95%CI上限为0分，低于预先设定的非劣效界值“1分”（非劣效性P<0.001）。S组和I组HDP发生率分别为5%（1/19）和75%（15/20），差异有统计学意义（P<0.001）。两组患者PACU期间及术后12、24、36 h静息NRS评分、术后阿片类药物使用情况及镇痛满意度、阻滞后30 min的SpO2、感觉及运动阻滞时长差异均无统计学意义（均P>0.05）。两组患者拔管后均未出现低氧血症、气道痉挛等呼吸系统不良事件。I组有1例患者入PACU时出现呼吸急促症状，有3例患者因患肢长时间（>2 d）麻木无力而感不适。两组患者均未出现神经阻滞操作、阿片类药物相关不良反应及神经系统并发症。 结论： 布比卡因脂质体行改良臂丛上干阻滞能够为关节镜下肩袖修补术患者提供不劣于传统肌间沟臂丛神经阻滞的长时间术后镇痛，同时HDP发生率更低。.

OBJECTIVE: Although ipsilateral C7 nerve transfer is used for the treatment of C5-C6 brachial plexus injuries, accurately evaluating the functional quality of the donor nerve (ipsilateral C7 nerve root) is difficult, especially when the C7 nerve root is slightly injured. The purpose of this study was to determine the indicators to evaluate the quality of the ipsilateral C7 nerve and assess the clinical outcomes of this procedure.
METHODS: This study employed the following three indicators to assess the quality of the ipsilateral C7 nerve: (1) the muscle strength and electrophysiological status of the latissimus dorsi, triceps brachii, and extensor digitorum communis; (2) the sensibility of the radial three digits, especially the index finger; and (3) the intraoperative appearance, feel and electrophysiological status of the ipsilateral C7 nerve root. Transfer of the ipsilateral C7 nerve root to the upper trunk was implemented only when the following three tests were conducted, the criteria were met, and the clinical outcomes were assessed in eight patients with C5-C6 brachial plexus injuries.
RESULTS: Patients were followed-up for an average of 90 ± 42 months. At the final follow-up, all eight patients achieved recovery of elbow flexion, with five and three patients scoring M4 and M3, respectively, according to the Medical Research Council scoring. The shoulder abduction range of motor recovery averaged 86 ± 47° (range, 30°-170°), whereas the shoulder external rotation averaged 51 ± 26° (range, 15°-90°).
CONCLUSIONS: Ipsilateral C7 nerve transfer is a reliable and effective option for the functional reconstruction of the shoulder and elbow after C5-C6 brachial plexus injuries when the three prerequisites are met.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological and genetic characteristics of neuromuscular choristoma-associated desmoid type fibromatosis (NMC-DF). Methods: The clinical morphological and immunohistochemical features of 7 NMC-DF cases diagnosed from January 2013 to January 2023 in Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. A series of neuromuscular choristoma and neuromuscular choristoma-associated desmoid type fibromatosis were evaluated for CTNNB1 mutations, and hotspot mutations for CTNNB1 were tested in 4 NMC-DF cases using Sanger sequencing. Results: The tumors were collected from 3 females and 4 males, aged 1 to 22 years (mean 7.1 years), involving the sciatic nerve (n=4), brachial plexus (n=2) or multiple nerves (n=1). The course of the disease spanned from 3 months to 10 years. Two cases were recurrent tumors. All the 7 NMC cases showed endoneurial intercalation of mature skeletal muscle fibers among the peripheral nerve fascicles, and the histologic features of the NMC-DF were strikingly similar to the conventional desmoid-type fibromatosis. By immunohistochemistry, all NMC and NMC-DF cases showed aberrant nuclear staining of β-catenin (7/7), the muscle cells in NMC were intensely immunoreactive for desmin, and the admixed nerve fibers were highlighted by NF and S-100 (7/7). Four NMC and NMC-DF had CTNNB1 mutations, 3 c.121A>G (p.T41A) and 1 c.134C>T (p.S45F). Follow-up of the 7 cases, ranging from 22 to 78 months, showed tumor recurrence in 2 patients at 3 and 8 months respectively after the first surgical resection, of which 1 patient underwent above-knee amputation. No recurrence occurred in other cases with tumor excision and neurological reconstruction surgery. There was no metastasis occurred in the 7 cases. Conclusions: NMC is a rare congenital lesion with differentiated mature skeletal muscle tissue found in peripheral nerve fascicles, and approximately 80% of patients with NMC develop a soft tissue fibromatosis. CTNNB1 mutation in the Wnt signaling pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of NMC and NMC-DF, and S45F mutations seems to have a higher risk of disease progression.
目的： 探讨神经肌肉迷芽瘤相关的韧带样型纤维瘤病（neuromuscular choristoma-associated desmoid type fibromatosis，NMC-DF）临床病理及分子遗传学特征。 方法： 收集北京积水潭医院2013年1月至2023年1月明确诊断为NMC-DF的病例7例，对其临床、组织形态及免疫组织化学特点进行回顾性分析，采用Sanger测序法对4例患者的神经肌肉迷芽瘤（neuromuscular choristoma，NMC）及韧带样型纤维瘤病（desmoid type fibromatosis，DF）标本分别进行检测，明确CTNNB1基因的突变类型。 结果： 7例患者中女性3例，男性4例，年龄1~22岁，平均年龄7.1岁。病程3个月到10年不等。2例为复发后就诊病例。肿瘤位于大腿3例，小腿1例，上臂1例，颈部1例，影像学提示7例肿瘤均有相应部位神经增粗，4例为坐骨神经，1例为坐骨神经、胫神经、腓总神经全程瘤样增粗，2例为臂从神经，肿瘤与病变神经关系密切。7例病变的神经束内可见骨骼肌纤维，残存的神经纤维穿插其中，呈神经肌肉迷芽瘤的结构；肿瘤均具有典型的韧带样型纤维瘤病结构。免疫组织化学，NMC中部分肌纤维细胞核表达β-catenin（7/7），肌纤维结蛋白弥漫阳性，神经纤维神经丝蛋白和S-100蛋白阳性（7/7）；NMC-DF中β-catenin在肿瘤细胞核中呈散在阳性（7/7）。CTNNB1基因Sanger测序，3例c.121A>G（p.T41A）突变，1例c.134C>T（p.S45F）突变。7例获得随访资料，随访时间22~78个月，2例为复发后就诊，其中1例截肢后再次复发，其余无进展。 结论： NMC是一种罕见的神经发育畸形性病变，神经干内可见异位的骨骼肌纤维，约80%的病例在病变神经周围软组织内伴发DF，组织形态与经典的DF相同，Wnt信号通路中的CTNNB1基因突变与二者的发生发展密切相关，CTNNB1 c.134C>T（p.S45F）突变可能提示不良预后。.

BACKGROUND: Brachial plexus injury is recognized as one of the most severe clinical challenges due to the complex anatomical configuration of the brachial plexus and its propensity for variation, which complicates safe clinical interventions. This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence and characterize the types of brachial plexus variations, and to elucidate their clinical implications.
METHODS: We conducted meticulous dissections of 60 formalin-fixed cadavers\' upper arm, axilla and lower neck to reveal and assess the roots, trunks, divisions, cords, and branches of the brachial plexus. The pattern of branching was noted by groups of dissecting medical students and confirmed by the senior anatomists. The variations discovered were record and photographed using a digital camera for further analysis.
RESULTS: Variations in the brachial plexus were identified in 40 of the 60 cadavers, yielding a prevalence rate of 66.7%. These variations were classified into root anomalies (2.1%), trunk anomalies (8.5%), division anomalies (2.1%), and cord anomalies (4.3%). Notably, anomalies in communicating branches were observed in 39 cadavers (83.0%): 14 with bilateral anomalies, 14 with anomalies on the left side, and 11 on the right side. These communicating branches formed connections between the roots and other segments, including trunks, cords, and terminal nerves, and involved the median, musculocutaneous, and ulnar nerves.
CONCLUSIONS: The frequency and diversity of brachial plexus variations, particularly in communicating branches, are significant in cadavers. It is imperative that these variations are carefully considered during the diagnostic process, treatment planning, and prior to procedures such as supraclavicular brachial plexus blocks and nerve transfers, to mitigate the risk of iatrogenic complications.

UNASSIGNED: Brachial plexus magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important noninvasive supplementary diagnostic method of chronic immune peripheral neuropathies, but few MRI studies on the preganglionic nerves have been conducted. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to establish a reliable assessment for brachial plexus preganglionic nerve thickness and to use this method to assess and compare nerve characteristics in various types of peripheral neuropathies.
UNASSIGNED: Hospitalized patients diagnosed as positive for anti-neurofascin-155 (NF155)-positive autoimmune nodopathy (AN) (NF155+), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), or multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) at Huashan Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai, China, who underwent brachial plexus MRI between October 2011 and August 2023 were consecutively recruited for this study. We also recruited participants who underwent brachial plexus MRI during this period with no history of trauma, inflammation, tumors, compression, or degenerative conditions as healthy controls. According to our self-developed semiquantitative assessment of preganglionic nerves, we assessed the bilateral preganglionic C5-C8 nerves individually and scored the enlargement degree from 0 to 4 points. Furthermore, a sum score ≥20 was defined as definite enlargement.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 122 participants were enrolled, including 28 with NF155+, 40 with CIDP, 15 with MMN, and 39 healthy controls. In the comparison of the single-nerve scores, we found that there was a significant difference distribution among the four groups (χ2 test; P<0.001), with the patients with NF155+ exhibiting the highest scores in each of the bilateral C5-C8 nerves. In the comparison of the sum scores, a descending tendency was observed in patients NF155+, CIDP, and MMN, with median scores of 11, 4, and 0 points, respectively (Kruskal-Wallis test; P=0.003, P<0.001, and P=0.005, respectively for NF155+ vs. CIDP, NF155+ vs. MMN, and CIDP vs. MMN). The proportion of definite enlargement in those with NF155+ was greater than that in healthy controls (21% vs. 0%; χ2 test; P=0.004), and the sum score at 0 points was lower in the NF155+ group than in CIDP, MMN, and healthy control groups (7% vs. 37%, 87%, and 41%, respectively; χ2 test; P<0.001).
UNASSIGNED: This semiquantitative assessment can be a valuable tool for measuring preganglionic nerve enlargement, which was found to be decreased, respectively, in those with NF155+, CIDP, and MMN. Presence of definite enlargement could be a strong indicator of NF155+ in clinic.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the high risk factors of obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP), and to explore how to evaluate the relationship between fault medical behavior and OBPP in the process of medical damage forensic identification.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was carried out on 25 cases of medical damage liability disputes related to OBPP from 2017 to 2021 in Beijing Fayuan Judicial Science Evidence Appraisal Center. The shortcomings of hospitals in birth weight assessment, delivery mode selection, labor process observation and shoulder dystocia management, and the causal relationship between them and the damage consequences of the children were summarized.
RESULTS: Fault medical behavior was assessed as the primary cause in 2 cases, equal cause in 10 cases, secondary cause in 8 cases, minor cause in 1 case, no causal relationship in 1 case, and unclear causal force in 3 cases.
CONCLUSIONS: In the process of forensic identification of OBPP, whether medical behaviors fulfill diagnosis and treatment obligations should be objectively analyzed from the aspects of prenatal evaluation, delivery mode notification, standardized use of oxytocin, standard operation of shoulder dystocia, etc. Meanwhile, it is necessary to fully consider the objective risk of different risk factors and the difficulty of injury prevention, and comprehensively evaluate the causal force of fault medical behavior in the damage consequences.
目的: 分析新生儿分娩性臂丛神经损伤的高危因素，探讨在医疗损害法医学鉴定中如何评价过错诊疗行为与新生儿分娩性臂丛神经损伤之间的关系。方法: 对北京法源司法科学证据鉴定中心2017—2021年25例新生儿分娩性臂丛神经损伤医疗损害责任纠纷相关案例进行回顾性分析，总结医院在胎儿体质量评估、分娩方式选择、产程观察与肩难产处置等方面存在的不足之处及其与患儿损害后果之间的关系。结果: 过错医疗行为评定为主要原因2例，同等原因10例，次要原因8例，轻微原因1例，无因果关系1例，未明确原因力3例。结论: 新生儿分娩性臂丛神经损伤医疗损害法医学鉴定过程中，从产前评估、分娩方式告知、规范使用缩宫素、肩难产操作规范性等环节，客观分析医疗行为是否履行诊疗义务，同时需充分考量不同危险因素的客观风险性和损伤预防的困难性，综合评价过错医疗行为在损害结果中的原因力大小。.

3D SHINKEI neurography is a new sequence for imaging the peripheral nerves. The study aims at assessing traumatic brachial plexus injury using this sequence. Fifty-eight patients with suspected trauma induced brachial plexus injury underwent MR neurography (MRN) imaging in 3D SHINKEI sequence at 3 T. Surgery and intraoperative somatosensory evoked potentials or clinical follow-up results were used as the reference standard. MRN, surgery and electromyography (EMG) findings were recorded at four levels of the brachial plexus-roots, trunks, cords and branches. Fifty-eight patients had pre- or postganglionic injury. The C5-C6 nerve postganglionic segment was the most common (average 42%) among the postganglionic injuries detected by 3D SHINKEI MRN. The diagnostic accuracy (83.75%) and the specificity (90.30%) of MRN higher than that of EMG (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the diagnostic sensitivity of MRN compared with EMG (p > 0.05). Eighteen patients with brachial plexus injury underwent surgical exploration after MRN examination and the correlation between MRN and surgery was 66.7%. Due to the high diagnostic accuracy and specificity, 3D SHINKEI MRN can comprehensively display the traumatic brachial plexus injury. This sequence has great potential in the accurate diagnosis of traumatic brachial plexus injury.

Radiation therapy is a common treatment modality for patients with malignant tumors of the head and neck, chest and axilla. However, radiotherapy inevitably causes damage to normal tissues at the irradiated site, among which damage to the brachial plexus nerve(BP) is a serious adverse effect in patients receiving radiation therapy in the scapular or axillary regions, with clinical manifestations including abnormal sensation, neuropathic pain, and dyskinesia, etc. These adverse effects seriously reduce the living quality of patients and pose obstacles to their prognosis. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the mechanism of radiation induced brachial plexus injury (RIBP) which remains unclear. Current studies have shown that the pathways of radiation-induced BP injury can be divided into two categories: direct injury and indirect injury, and the indirect injury is closely related to the inflammatory response, microvascular damage, cytokine production and other factors causing radiation-induced fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the underlying mechanisms of RIBP occurrence and possible effective methods to prevent and treat RIBP.

OBJECTIVE: As a frequently occurring complication resulting from brachial plexus avulsion (BPA), neuropathic pain significantly impacts the quality of life of patients and places a substantial burden on their families. Recent reports have suggested that the 5-HT3a receptor may play a role in the development and regulation of neuropathic pain. The current study aimed to explore the involvement of the 5-HT3a receptor in neuropathic pain resulting from BPA in rats.
METHODS: A rat model of neuropathic pain was induced through brachial plexus avulsion (BPA). The pain thresholds of the rats were measured after BPA. The spinal dorsal horn (SDH) of rats was collected at day 14 after surgery, and the expression and distribution of the 5-HT3a receptor were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The expression levels of various factors related to central sensitization were measured by western blot, including c-Fos, GFAP, IBA-1, IL-1β and TNF-α. The effects of 5-HT3a receptor antagonists on hyperalgesia were assessed through behavioral tests after intrathecal administration of ondansetron. Additionally, at 120 min postinjection, the SDH of rats was acquired, and the change of expression levels of protiens related to central sensitization were measured by western blot.
RESULTS: BPA induced mechanical and cold hypersensitivity in rats. The 5-HT3a receptor was increased and mainly distributed on neurons and microglia in the SDH after BPA, and the level of central sensitization and expression of inflammatory factors, such as c-Fos, GFAP, IBA-1, IL-1β and TNF-α, were also increased markedly. Ondansetron, which is a selective 5-HT3a receptor antagonist, reversed the behavioral changes caused by BPA. The antagonist also decreased the expression of central sensitization markers and inflammatory factors.
CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that the 5-HT3a receptor is involved in neuropathic pain by regulating central nervous system sensitization in a rat brachial plexus avulsion model. Targeting the 5-HT3a receptor may be a promising approach for treating neuropathic pain after brachial plexus avulsion.