The paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH) contains many neurons that innervate the brainstem, but information regarding their target sites remains incomplete. Here, we labeled neurons in the rat PVH with an anterograde axonal tracer, Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHAL) and studied their descending projections in reference to specific neuronal subpopulations throughout the brainstem. While many of their target sites were identified previously, numerous new observations were made. Major findings include: (1) In the midbrain, the PVH projects lightly to the ventral tegmental area, Edinger-Westphal nucleus, ventrolateral periaqueductal gray matter, reticular formation, pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus, and dorsal raphe nucleus. (2) In the dorsal pons, the PVH projects heavily to the pre-locus coeruleus, yet very little to the catecholamine neurons in the locus coeruleus, and selectively targets the viscerosensory subregions of the parabrachial nucleus; (3) In the ventral medulla, the superior salivatory nucleus, retrotrapezoid nucleus, compact and external formations of the nucleus ambiguus, A1 and caudal C1 catecholamine neurons, and caudal pressor area receive dense axonal projections, generally exceeding the PVH projection to the rostral C1 region; (4) The medial nucleus of the solitary tract (including A2 noradrenergic and aldosterone-sensitive neurons) receives the most extensive projections of the PVH, substantially more than the dorsal vagal nucleus or area postrema. Our findings suggest that the PVH may modulate a range of homeostatic functions, including cerebral and ocular blood flow, corneal and nasal hydration, ingestive behavior, sodium intake, and glucose metabolism, as well as cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and respiratory activities.

This pilot study investigated the feasibility of Google Glass to assist visualization of fluoroscopic images during percutaneous pinning of hand fractures. Cadavers were used to compare total time to pin each fracture and total number of radiographs per fracture from a mini C-arm. A FluoroScan monitor was used for radiographic visualization compared to projecting the images in the Google Glass display. All outcome measures significantly improved for proximal phalanx fractures (127 versus 86 seconds, p = 0.017; 5.3 versus 2.2 images, p = 0.003), and fewer images were obtained during fixation of metacarpal fractures using Google Glass compared with traditional techniques (6.4 versus 3.6, p < 0.001). Typical FluoroScan monitor placement may require the surgeon to alter focus away from the operative field, whereas Google Glass allows constant attention directed toward the operative field.

Orchestral musicians commonly have playing-related symptoms (PRS) but few use worker’s compensation (WC) insurance for assessment and treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of, and factors related to, filing a WC claim among musicians. METHODS: An online questionnaire was completed by 261 members of the International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM). The responses were analyzed to describe the frequency and type of injuries, perceived cause of PRS, and severity of injury in musicians who did and did not file a WC claim. RESULTS: Of the musicians, 93% reported PRS in the 12 months prior to the study. Only 9 musicians filed WC claims during their careers, and all claims were for upper extremity injuries. The most frequent reason for not filing a WC claim was insufficient severity. Yet among musicians describing their PRS as not severe enough for a WC claim, 47% had symptoms for >15 minutes after playing and 16% had symptoms that interfered with daily activities. CONCLUSION: These data suggest there is frequent under-reporting of injuries to WC among professional orchestral musicians. Although most musicians reported PRS that persisted after playing, the most common reason for not filing a WC claim was insufficient severity of symptoms perceived by the musicians. Future research should focus on clearly defining severity for PRS-related injuries and determining when treatment for overuse syndromes should be paid for through the WC system.

Post-operative epidural hematoma causing catastrophic neurological deficit is a rare complication after spinal surgery. The presence of suction wound drains does not appear to prevent the occurrence of this devastating complication.

We report the case of a 12-year-old male who sustained a Salter-Harris (SH) type IV physeal fracture of the distal ulna and a SH type II fracture of the distal radius. At 34 months later, he presented with activity-related wrist pain and ulnar variance of -17 mm. He successfully underwent ulnar distraction osteogenesis with radial closing wedge osteotomy. At 16-month follow-up, the patient denied wrist pain with activity, and imaging demonstrated ulnar variance of -3 mm. Epiphyseal fracture separations of the distal radius and ulna have the potential to cause early growth arrest and may become symptomatic as a result. High-energy mechanism, open fracture, number of reduction attempts, and age at injury can all increase the risk of premature closure. Therefore, we recommend longitudinal follow-up of patients with these injuries as earlier intervention may improve outcomes. When premature physeal closure is discovered early, treatment may include resection of the physeal bar, osteotomy with or without epiphysiodesis, and distraction osteogenesis.

This study identified factors associated with an improvement in low back pain (LBP) at six-month follow-up after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Data from a national registry of 3054 patients were analyzed. Factors under analysis included demographics, comorbid conditions, operative and nonoperative joint pain severity, physical function, and mental health. Differences in these factors between patients with and without improvement in LBP were examined. Among patients reporting severe or moderate LBP preoperatively, 56% improved 6 months after surgery. Patients without improvement were more likely to be on Medicare, have a high school education or less, have household income less than $45,000 and have one or more comorbid conditions. Patients with improvement in LBP experienced more resolution of pain in both the operative and nonoperative hip.

Objective To examine 1) the validity of ultrasound imaging to measure osteophytes, and 2) the association between osteophytes and IAT. Design Case-control study Setting Academic medical center Participants 20 persons with chronic unilateral IAT (Age: 58.7 ± 8.3 years, 50% female) and 20 age- and gender-matched controls (Age: 57.4 ± 9.8 years, 50% female) participated in this case-control study. Intervention Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Symptoms severity was assessed using the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment- Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A), and the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS). Length of osteophytes was measured bilaterally in both groups using ultrasound imaging and additionally on the symptomatic side of the IAT group using radiographs. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to examine the agreement between ultrasound and radiograph measures. McNemar, Wilcoxon Signed Rank and Fisher’s exact tests were used to compare the frequency and length of osteophytes between sides and groups. Pearson correlation was used to examine the association between osteophyte length and symptom severity. Results There was good agreement (ICC ≥0.75) between ultrasound and radiograph osteophyte measures. There were no statistically significant differences (P>0.05) between sides or groups in the frequency of osteophytes. Osteophytes were larger on the symptomatic side of the IAT group compared to the asymptomatic side (P= 0.01) and controls (P=0.03). There were no associations between osteophyte length and symptom severity. Conclusions Ultrasound imaging is a valid measure of osteophyte length, which is associated with IAT. While a larger osteophyte indicates pathology, it does not indicate more severe IAT symptom severity.

Study Design Case series. Objective We report the unusual occurrence of vertebral artery injury (VAI) during routine posterior exposure of the cervical spine. The importance of preoperative planning to identify the course of the bilateral vertebral arteries during routine posterior cervical spine surgery is emphasized. Methods VAI is a rare but potentially devastating complication of cervical spinal surgery. Most reports of VAI are related to anterior surgical exposure or screw placement in the posterior cervical spine. VAI incurred during posterior cervical spinal exposure surgery is not adequately addressed in the existing literature. Two cases of VAI that occurred during routine posterior exposure of the cervical spine in the region of C2 are described. Results VAI was incurred unexpectedly in the region of the midportion of the posterior C1–C2 interval during the initial surgical exposure phase of the operation. An aberrant vertebral artery course in the V2 anatomical section in the region between C1 and C2 intervals was identified postoperatively in both patients. A literature review demonstrates a relatively high incidence of vertebral artery anomalies in the upper cervical spine; however, the literature is deficient in reporting vertebral artery injury in this region. Recommendations for preoperative vertebral artery imaging also remain unclear at this time. Conclusions Successful management of this unexpected complication was achieved in both cases. This case report and review of the literature highlights the importance of preoperative vertebral artery imaging and knowledge of the course of the vertebral arteries prior to planned routine posterior exposure of the upper cervical spine. In both cases, aberrancy of the vertebral artery was present and not investigated or detected preoperatively.