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Although epilepsy is the most common comorbidity of brain tumors, epileptic spasms rarely occur. Brain tumors associated with epileptic spasms are mostly low-grade gliomas. To date, few studies in the literature have reported on malignant (Grades 3-4) brain tumors associated with epileptic spasms. Thus, we aimed to investigate the characteristics of malignant brain tumor-associated epileptic spasms. We retrospectively reviewed patients with malignant brain tumors and epileptic spasms in our institution. Data on demographics, tumor histology, magnetic resonance imaging, epileptic spasm characteristics, electroencephalography, and treatment responsiveness were also collected. Six patients were included. In all cases, the brain tumors occurred in infancy in the supratentorial region and epileptic spasm onset occurred after the completion of brain tumor treatment. Anti-seizure medication did not control epileptic spasms; two patients were seizure-free after epileptic surgery. Although all patients had developmental delays caused by malignant brain tumors and their treatment, developmental regression proceeded after epileptic spasm onset. Two patients who achieved seizure-free status showed improved developmental outcomes after cessation of epileptic spasms. This is the first report of the characteristics of malignant brain tumor-associated epileptic spasms. Our report highlights a difficulties of seizure control and possibillity of efficacy of epileptic surgery in this condition. In malignant brain tumor-associated epileptic spasms, it is important to proceed with presurgical evaluation from an early stage, bearing in mind that epileptic spasms may become drug-resistant.

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OBJECTIVE: With the development of analytical methods, mathematical models based on humoral biomarkers have become more widely used in the medical field. This study aims to investigate the risk factors associated with the occurrence of bladder spasm after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in patients with prostate enlargement, and then construct a nomogram model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and forty-two patients with prostate enlargement who underwent TURP were included. Patients were divided into Spasm group (n=65) and non-spasm group (n=177) according to whether they had bladder spasm after surgery. Serum prostacyclin (PGI2) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the risk factors. RESULTS: Postoperative serum PGI2 and 5-HT levels were higher in patients in the Spasm group compared with the Non-spasm group (P<0.05). Preoperative anxiety, drainage tube obstruction, and elevated postoperative levels of PGI2 and 5-HT were independent risk factors for bladder spasm after TURP (P<0.05). The C-index of the model was 0.978 (0.959-0.997), with a χ2 = 4.438 (p = 0.816) for Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. The ROC curve to assess the discrimination of the nomogram model showed an AUC of 0.978 (0.959-0.997). CONCLUSION: Preoperative anxiety, drainage tube obstruction, and elevated postoperative serum PGI2 and 5-HT levels are independent risk factors for bladder spasm after TURP. The nomogram model based on the aforementioned independent risk factors had good discrimination and predictive abilities, which may provide a high guidance value for predicting the occurrence of bladder spasm in clinical practice.

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BACKGROUND: Gender-affirming colovaginoplasty (GACv) presents excellent postoperative results. However, neovaginal spasms, reported as painful cramps, can affect the sexual life of patients. AIM: The study sought to describe an innovative surgical technique and evaluate its impact on the prevention and treatment of neovaginal spasms. METHODS: This was a single-center prospective observational study with 2 series of patients: (1) patients who underwent GACv with double myotomy (DM) for spasm prevention (series A), in which longitudinal myotomies were performed across the defunctionalized colon, transecting the taenias, and resecting 2 strips of the intestinal muscle layer of approximately 1- to 2-mm wide and tall, leaving intact colonic tissue between strips; and (2) patients who reported neovaginal spasms in whom intravaginal-DM was performed as treatment surgery (series B), in which the posterior wall of the neovagina was dissected from the rectum and transected by longitudinal myotomies, resecting 2 strips of endoluminal mucosa and submucosal muscle of approximately 1- to 2-mm wide and tall, and the colonic mucosa was subsequently closed. OUTCOMES: Patient-reported outcomes and neovaginal examination were performed following standardized protocols. RESULTS: In series A, 177 patients underwent GACv with the DM technique and were prospectively followed for a median time of 18 months (interquartile range, 13-60 months). No patients reported neovaginal spasms. In series B, 18 patients who reported neovaginal spasms after GACv were treated with intravaginal DM. After a median time of 35 months (interquartile range, 26-45 months), 83% (n = 15 of 18) reported remission of symptoms. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Double longitudinal myotomy performed on the derived portion of the colon in colovaginoplasty is an easy-to-perform and safe technique that may prevent and treat postoperative neovaginal spasms. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Our results presented certain limitations, mainly associated with a low prevalence of neovaginal spasms, which, being of personal perception, can be underdiagnosed. To the same extent, the fact that it is a monocentric experience limits the possibility of extrapolating it to other centers. Moreover, a more trained surgical team may be the cause of fewer postoperative complications. On the other hand, the fact of being a reference center for gender-affirming surgery, having our procedures protocolized, and the prospective nature of the study allowed us to obtain a certain homogeneity and granularity of the results. CONCLUSION: DM is a safe procedure and appears to be highly effective for the prevention and treatment of neovaginal spasms after GACv. Routine use of this technique does not increase the operating time or postoperative complications. Multicenter, prospective studies are required to validate our results.

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A 74-year-old woman taking dulvalumab for lung adenocarcinoma developed muscle tonicity in the extremities and trunk. Painful paroxysmal muscle spasms with profuse sweating were frequently observed, and surface electromyography showed simultaneous contraction of the active and antagonist muscles. Blood tests were strongly positive for anti-amphiphysin antibodies, and stiff-person syndrome (SPS) was diagnosed. Intravenous immunoglobulin therapy and clonazepam were initiated, and the paroxysmal painful muscle spasms disappeared. As the primary tumor was under control, and the onset occurred approximately six weeks after the resumption of immune checkpoint inhibitors, we considered SPS to be an immune-related adverse event. Although extremely rare, it should be considered a neuromuscular disease that can occur in association with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

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PURPOSE: The tracheoesophageal puncture for the voice prosthesis (VP) placement is the recognized gold standard in post-laryngectomy voice rehabilitation. Despite the development of specific intraoperative techniques, a subset of patients will suffer from poor functional outcomes due to pharyngoesophageal spasms (PES). This paper evaluates the functional outcomes after transcutaneous botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) infiltration for PES with a videofluoroscopy-guided technique. METHODS: Since 2022, eight consecutive patients with VP and affected by PES were treated with BTX-A injection by a standard videofluoroscopic guided technique at the European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS (IEO) in Milan. A lidocaine test was performed pre-operatively to evaluate the potential effect of chemical neurectomy. All patients with positive lidocaine tests were injected with 50 IU of BTX-A (Allergan, Irvine, CA) according to the sites marked during the videofluoroscopy. Reported symptoms (VHI, SECEL), perceptual (INFVo), aerodynamic (MPT) and manometric parameters were collected before and after treatment. RESULTS: In all cases, BTX-A was performed as an outpatient procedure without complications. For seven patients, only one BTX-A injection was needed, while one patient required a re-injection. Subjective and perceptive improvement after BTX-A was significant for VHI, SECEL and INFVo. MPT showed significant improvement after a chemical neurectomy. After a mean follow-up of 6 months, all patients maintained a good TES quality. CONCLUSION: The videofluoroscopic guided BTX-A injection of the pharyngoesophageal tract showed to be a feasible and reproducible technique in all cases. The pharyngoesophageal videofluoroscopy allows defining of patients' anatomical landmarks that help the surgeon to perform a homogeneous injection, empowered by post-injection massage.

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BACKGROUND: Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare neuroimmunological disorder characterized by rigidity and painful spasm primarily affecting the truncal and paraspinal musculature due to autoimmune-mediated neuronal hyperexcitability. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an approved therapy for managing painful neuropathic conditions, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy and refractory angina pectoris. We describe the novel use of SCS for the treatment of spasm and rigidity in a 49-year-old man with seropositive stiff person syndrome (SPS). The patient was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and oral medications over a 13-month period with minimal improvement, prompting consideration of SCS. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the successful use of SCS in SPS with the demonstration of multifaceted clinical improvement. METHODS: Following a successful temporary SCS trial, permanent implantation was performed. Spasm/stiffness (Distribution of Stiffness Index; Heightened Sensitivity Scale; Penn Spasm Frequency Scale, PSFS), disability (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI; Pain Disability Index, PDI), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9), sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), fatigue (Fatigue Severity Scale, FSS), pain (Numerical Pain Rating Scale, NPRS), quality of life (EuroQoL 5 Dimension 5 Level, EQ-5D-5L), and medication usage were assessed at baseline, 6-month, and 10-month postimplantation. RESULTS: ODI, PHQ-9, FSS, NPRS, PSQI, and EQ-5D-5L scores showed a notable change from baseline and surpassed the defined minimal clinically important difference (MCID) at 6-month and 10-month follow-up. Oral medication dosages were reduced. CONCLUSIONS: The novel use of SCS therapy in seropositive SPS resulted in functional improvement and attenuation of symptoms. We present possible mechanisms by which SCS may produce clinical response in patients with SPS and aim to demonstrate proof-of-concept for a future comprehensive pilot study evaluating SCS-mediated response in SPS.

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Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is characterised by intermittent, brief or sustained, repetitive contractions of the muscles innervated by one facial nerve. It is one of the most frequent movement disorders affecting the face. However common and allegedly straightforward to diagnose, it might reveal as a challenge for clinicians in various situations. Indeed, it often needs prior exclusion of many other movement disorders affecting the face, with frequent phenomenological overlaps with blepharospasm, post-facial palsy, facial motor tics, etc. The clinical diagnosis shall be supported by modern brain imaging techniques, and sometimes electromyography, as some particular aetiologies may require specific treatment. Primary forms are associated with vascular compression of the ipsilateral seventh cranial nerve, whereas secondary forms can be caused by any injury occurring on the facial nerve course. This article proposes a global and organised approach to the diagnosis, and the ensuing therapeutic options, as many practitioners still use some inefficient medications when they encounter a case of facial spasm.

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Muscle spasms are common in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), posing challenges to rehabilitation and daily activities. Pharmacological management of spasms mostly targets suppression of excitatory inputs, an approach known to hinder motor recovery. To identify better targets, we investigated changes in inhibitory and excitatory synaptic inputs to motoneurons as well as motoneuron excitability in chronic SCI. We induced either a complete or incomplete SCI in adult mice of either sex and divided those with incomplete injury into low or high functional recovery groups. Their sacrocaudal spinal cords were then extracted and used to study plasticity below injury, with tissue from naive animals as a control. Electrical stimulation of the dorsal roots elicited spasm-like activity in preparations of chronic severe SCI but not in the control. To evaluate overall synaptic inhibition activated by sensory stimulation, we measured the rate-dependent depression of spinal root reflexes. We found inhibitory inputs to be impaired in chronic injury models. When synaptic inhibition was blocked pharmacologically, all preparations became clearly spastic, even the control. However, preparations with chronic injuries generated longer spasms than control. We then measured excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in motoneurons during sensory-evoked spasms. The data showed no difference in the amplitude of EPSCs or their conductance among animal groups. Nonetheless, we found that motoneuron persistent inward currents activated by the EPSCs were increased in chronic SCI. These findings suggest that changes in motoneuron excitability and synaptic inhibition, rather than excitation, contribute to spasms and are better suited for more effective therapeutic interventions.Significance Statement Neural plasticity following spinal cord injury is crucial for recovery of motor function. Unfortunately, this process is blemished by maladaptive changes that can cause muscle spasms. Pharmacological alleviation of spasms without compromising the recovery of motor function has proven to be challenging. Here, we investigated changes in fundamental spinal mechanisms that can cause spasms post-injury. Our data suggest that the current management strategy for spasms is misdirected toward suppressing excitatory inputs, a mechanism that we found unaltered after injury, which can lead to further motor weakness. Instead, this study shows that more promising approaches might involve restoring synaptic inhibition or modulating motoneuron excitability.

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Objectives: To investigate the possible advantage of topical lidocaine and intravenous midazolam in preventing spasm and pain related to the radial artery. Method: The prospective, comparative study was conducted at the catheterization laboratory of the cardiology department Kafrelsheikh University Hospital, Egypt, from January 2021 to January 2022, and comprised adult patients of either gender who were due to undergo coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary intervention for different indications. The patients were randomised control group I which was administered a cocktail of nitroglycerine, verapamil and heparin, intervention group II which was administered the control cocktail plustopical lidocaine, group III which was administered the control cocktail plus midazolam intravenously, and group IV which was administered the control cocktail plus topical lidocaine and intravenous midazolam. The groups were compared for frequency of radial artery spasm, accesssite cross-over and the difference in occurrence as well as procedure events, including the puncture number, time and complications. Data was analysed using SPSS 25. RESULTS: Of the 120 patients, there were 30(25%) in each of the 4 groups. Overall, there were 72(60%) males and 48(40%) females. Gender and mean age were not significantly different among the groups (p>0.05). Spasm of the radial artery occurred in 22(18.3%) patients, with higher incidence in the group I 12(40%). The median visual analogue scale score was higher in patients with radial artery spasm patients (p<0.001). The groups showed no significant differences in terms of frequency related to ad hoc percutaneous coronary intervention, contrast volume and fluoroscopy time (p>0.05), while they showed a significant difference in puncture time (p<0.05). Significant differences were noted among the groups in the incidence of radial artery spasm, visual analogue scale scores, requirement of multiple punctures, and the number of indicated punctures (p<0.05). Access site cross-over was more in the group I, while age, complication rates, visual analogue scale score, incidence of multiple punctures, and puncture time were significantly higher in patients with radial artery spasm (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cutaneous analgesia and procedural sedation before transradial access for coronary interventions were found to be associated with a substantial reduction in radial artery spasm and procedure-related discomfort.

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INTRODUCTION: Spasm of the near reflex usually includes accommodative spasm, esophoria/tropia, and different degrees of miosis. Patients usually refer to distance blurred and fluctuating vision, ocular discomfort, and headaches. The diagnosis is established with refraction with and without cycloplegia; most of the cases have a functional etiology. However, some cases require neurological conditions to be ruled out; cycloplegics have an important diagnostic and therapeutic role. PURPOSE: To describe a case of bilateral severe accommodative spasm in a healthy 14-year-old teenager. CASE PRESENTATION: A 14-year-old boy with progressive diminished visual acuity attended for YSP consultation. The diagnosis of bilateral spasm of the near reflex was made, based on a gap refraction of 9.75 D between retinoscopy with and without cycloplegia and esophoria with normal keratometry and axial length. The spasm was eliminated with 2 drops of cycloplegic in each eye separated by 15 days; no clear etiology was found other than the start of school. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of pseudomyopia, especially in children with acute changes in visual acuity, who are usually exposed to myopigenic environmental factors that induce overstimulation of the parasympathetic third cranial nerve's innervation.

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Transradial access may lead to anatomical and functional changes on the vessel wall due to puncture or material-associated trauma, inflammation and loss of endothelium's nitric oxide vasodilatory response. Despite the superficial and palpable radial artery course, caution and dexterity are important assets when puncturing, wiring, inserting the sheath, or maneuvering the catheters. Radial artery anatomic variations, tortuosity, and radial artery spasm are related with femoral access switch. The outer diameter of sheaths and catheters needs to match radial artery internal diameter; otherwise, friction or vascular stretch will occur, activating the surface endothelium and the coagulation cascade. Friction between the arterial wall and the equipment worsens endothelial function and precipitates patient discomfort, radial artery spasm, and ultimately, radial artery occlusion.

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INTRODUCTION: The transradial approach for coronary artery catheterisation has increased in popularity compared to the transfemoral approach for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions. However, radial artery spasm continues to be a major complication of the procedure. Current management strategies vary concerning radial artery spasm and there is limited evidence of practice in the Australian context. AIM: To identify the predictors of radial artery spasm and the medications used for its prevention and management. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out over a three-month period in two tertiary hospitals in NSW, Australia. A self-administered pre-procedural survey was completed by patients undergoing coronary artery catheterisation. This survey collected socio-demographic data and assessed anxiety using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Procedural data, including length of procedure, equipment used, occurrence of radial artery spasm, and medications given, were collected post-procedure by the interventionalist. RESULTS: Of the 169 participants, over half were male (59.8%) and aged 66 years or older (56.8%). Radial artery spasm was reported in 24 (14.2%) participants. Rates of spasm were significantly higher among females (66.6%, p = 0.004), those aged under 65 years (62.5%, p = 0.001) and those who reported a medical history of anxiety (33.3%, p = 0.0004). There were no significant differences in State and Trait anxiety scores among those who had RAS and those who did not. Logistic regression identified younger age as the only statistically significant predictor of RAS (OR 0.536; 95% CI 0.171-1.684; p = 0.005). To prevent radial artery spasm most patients received midazolam (n = 158; 93.5%), nitrates (n = 133; 78.7%) and/or fentanyl (n = 124; 73.4%) prophylactically. Nitrates were the most frequently administered medication to treat radial artery spasm (78.7%). CONCLUSION: This study highlights that there is a need to develop a clearer understanding of the predictors of RAS, as identifying patients at risk can ensure prophylactic measures are implemented. This study identified nitrates as the preferred vasodilator as a preventative measure along with the use of sedation.

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One limitation to transradial access (TRA) is the occurrence of spasms (RAS), for which the use of prophylactic medications is recommended. Improvement in TRA material combined with the increase in operators' expertise, might mitigate this benefit. We assess the effect of preventive nitroglycerin on RAS during TRA, evaluating the role of the operator's experience. Patients received 500 µg nitroglycerin or placebo. The operator's expertise was classified as: inexperienced (I), intermediate (M), and experienced (E). 2040 patients were included. Prophylactic use of nitroglycerin did not reduce RAS (10.8% vs. 13.4% (placebo), p = 0.07). RAS incidence was 14.5% in I, 12.5% in M, and 9.7% in E (p = 0.01). In group I, nitroglycerin reduced RAS (17.4% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.04), which was not observed in other groups. Overall, nitroglycerin does not prevent RAS, which is more common among inexperienced operators. More experienced operators could abolish preventive nitroglycerin use.

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This article is about the accommodation spasm. The primary rule for near vision is ciliary muscle constriction, synchronised convergence of both eyes, and pupil constriction. Any weaknesses in these components could result in an accommodative spasm. Variable retinoscopic reflex, unstable refractive error, and lead of accommodation in near retinoscopy are common causes of spasm. We conducted a thorough literature search in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases for published journals prior to June 2022, with no data limitations. This review contains twenty-eight case reports, six cohort studies, four book references, four review articles, and two comparative studies after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The majority of studies looked at accommodative spasm, near reflex spasm, and pseudomyopia. The most common causes of accommodative spasm are excessive close work, emotional distress, head injury, and strabismus. Despite side effects or an insufficient regimen, cycloplegic drops are effective in diagnosing accommodation spasm. The modified optical fogging technique is also effective and may be an option for treating accommodative spasm symptoms. Bifocals for near work, manifest refraction, base-in prisms, and vision therapy are some of the other management options. As a result, it requires a comprehensive clinical treatment strategy. This review aims to investigate the various aetiology and treatments responsible for accommodative spasm and proposes widely implementing the modified optical fogging method and vision therapy in clinics as comprehensive management to reduce the future upward trend of accommodative spasm.

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Verapamil and nitroglycerin are widely used to prevent radial artery spasm (RAS) during percutaneous cardiovascular procedures. However, these agents are not typically available in most African countries and consequently, isosorbide dinitrate is often the only spasmolytic treatment. Our aim was to compare the efficacy of isosorbide dinitrate alone versus isosorbide dinitrate used together with nicardipine to prevent RAS during transradial coronary procedures. This was a randomized controlled double-blind multicenter trial. Patients (n = 1,523) were randomized to receive either a sole therapy of isosorbide dinitrate (n = 760) or the combination of isosorbide dinitrate and nicardipine (n = 763). Our primary end point was the occurrence of RAS; defined as considerable perceived hindrance of catheter advancement. Our secondary end points were severe RAS; defined as (1) severe arm pain, (2) the need for either morphine or midazolam treatment, and (3) necessity for crossover to the contralateral radial or femoral artery. RAS incidence was reduced with the combination therapy versus isosorbide dinitrate alone (15% vs 25%, p <0.001), with a number needed to treat of 10 patients. There was also a significant reduction in the incidence of the secondary end points with combination therapy (3.6% vs 8.2%, p <0.001), with a number needed to treat of 22 patients. This result was driven by reductions in both femoral crossover (0.5% vs 2.4%, p = 0.003) and the use of morphine or midazolam injections (1.6% vs 3.5%, p = 0.02) with combination therapy. In conclusion, we demonstrated the superiority of the combination therapy of isosorbide dinitrate and nicardipine over isosorbide dinitrate alone in reducing the incidence of RAS.

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