Disruption of sensation-dependent bladder emptying due to bladder overdistension in a complete spinal cord injury:A case report

BACKGROUNDAutonomic dysreflexia (AD) can be a life-threatening condition in patients withspinal cord injury. It is important to prevent bladder overdistension in thesepatients as it may trigger AD. Sensation-dependent bladder emptying (SDBE), asa method of bladder management, improves the quality of life and allowsphysiologic voiding. In this study, we report disruption of the SDBE habit afterbladder overdistension leading to AD with chest pain.CASE SUMMARYA 47-year-old male with a diagnosis of C4 American Spinal Cord InjuryAssociation impairment scale A had been emptying his bladder using the cleanintermittent catheterization method with an itchy sensation in the nose as asensory indication for a full bladder for 23 years, and the usual urine volume wasabout 300-400 mL. At the time of this study, the patient had delayed catheterizationfor approximately five hours. He developed severe abdominal pain andheadache and had to visit the emergency room for bladder overdistension (800mL) and a high systolic blood pressure (205 mmHg). After control of AD, ahypersensitive bladder was observed despite using anticholinergic agents. Thesensation indicating bladder fullness changed from nose itching to pain in theabdomen and precordial area. Moreover, the volume of the painful bladder fillingsensation became highly variable and was noted when the bladder urine volumeexceeded only 100 mL. The patient refused intermittent clean catheterization Finally, a cystostomy was performed, which relieved the symptoms.CONCLUSIONPatients using physiologic feedback, such as SDBE, for bladder management arerecommended to avoid bladder overdistension.

Recovery of brachial plexus injury after bronchopleural fistula closure surgery based on electrodiagnostic study:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Axillary thoracotomy and muscle flap are muscle-and nerve-sparing methods among the surgical approaches to bronchopleural fistula(BPF).However,in patients who are vulnerable to a nerve compression injury,nerve injury may occur.In this report,we present a unique case in which the brachial plexus(division level),suprascapular,and long thoracic nerve injury occurred after BPF closure surgery in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis and concomitant multiple joint contractures.CASE SUMMARY A 52-year-old man with a history of ankylosing spondylitis with shoulder joint contractures presented with right arm weakness and sensory impairment immediately after axillary thoracotomy and latissimus dorsi muscle flap surgery for BPF closure.During the surgery,the patient was positioned in a lateral decubitus position with the right arm hyper-abducted for approximately 6 h.Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound revealed subclavius muscle injury or myositis with brachial plexus(BP)compression and related neuropathy.An electrodiagnostic study confirmed the presence of BP injury involving the wholedivision level,long thoracic,and suprascapular nerve injuries.He was treated with medication,physical therapy,and ultrasound-guided injections.Ultrasoundguided steroid injection at the BP,hydrodissection with 5%dextrose water at the BP and suprascapular nerve,and intra-articular steroid and hyaluronidase injection at the glenohumeral joint were performed.On postoperative day 194,the pain and arm weakness were resolved,and a follow-up electrodiagnostic study showed marked improvement.CONCLUSION Clinicians should consider the possibilities of multiple nerve injuries in patients with joint contracture,and treat each specific therapeutic target.