Synthetic neural scaffolds hold promise to eventually replace nerve autografts for tissue repair following peripheral nerve injury. Despite substantial evidence for the influence of scaffold geometry and dimensions on the rate of axonal growth, systematic evaluation of these parameters remains a challenge due to limitations in materials processing. We have employed fiber drawing to engineer a w...

BACKGROUND Modern ultrasound (US) is an attractive alternative to anatomical landmark-, nerve stimulation-, and fluoroscopic-guided techniques for interventional procedures performed to treat chronic pain syndromes. METHODS In this review, we evaluated the effects of US guidance compared with traditional guidance techniques on performance, efficacy, and safety outcomes for interventional chro...

Nerve guidance channels (NGCs) have been shown to facilitate regeneration after transection injury to the peripheral nerve or spinal cord. Various therapeutic molecules, including neurotrophic factors, have improved regeneration and functional recovery after injury when combined with NGCs; however, their impact has not been maximized partly due to the lack of an appropriate drug delivery system...

STUDY DESIGN This study analyzed the effects of autografted nucleus pulposus on nerve root axon morphology, neurophysiologic function, and sodium channel expression. OBJECTIVES To investigate the chronic effects of the epidural implantation of nucleus pulposus on nerve root morphology, neural activity, ectopic discharge, mechanosensitivity, and sodium channel expression. SUMMARY OF BACKGROU...

BACKGROUND Lumbar selective nerve root blocks have been performed to establish the origin of lumbar radiculopathy in clinically difficult cases. The diagnostic ability of selective nerve root blocks remains controversial because of concern over potential spread of an injectate onto adjacent structures. OBJECTIVE To investigate the spread of different volumes of water-soluble contrast during L...

The axillary approach to brachial plexus blockade provides satisfactory anaesthesia for elbow, forearm, and hand surgery and also provides reliable cutaneous anaesthesia of the inner upper arm including the medial cutaneous nerve of arm and intercostobrachial nerve, areas often missed with other approaches. In addition, the axillary approach remains the safest of the four main options, as it do...

A class of implantable, regeneration-type neural interfaces (NI's) for mammalian peripheral nerve recording and stimulation were developed using different fabrication processes and integrating purposely designed components. A typical NI comprises three main components: 1) a microfabricated silicon die incorporating a microelectrode array on multiple through-holes, 2) a polymer guidance channel ...

Despite major advances in the pathophysiological understanding of peripheral nerve damage, the treatment of nerve injuries still remains an unmet medical need. Nerve guidance conduits present a promising treatment option by providing a growth-permissive environment that 1) promotes neuronal cell survival and axon growth and 2) directs axonal extension. To this end, we designed an electrospun ne...

BACKGROUND The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US) vs nerve stimulation (NS) guidance for peripheral nerve catheter placement. METHODS This meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA statement and the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration. For dichotomous outcomes relative risks [RRs; 95% confidence intervals (CIs)] were calcula...