Differential block coding of bilevel images

Abstract- In this correspondence, a simple one-dimensional (1-D) differencing operation is applied to bilevel images prior to block coding to produce a sparse binary image that can be encoded efficiently using any of a number of well-known techniques. The difference image can be encoded more efficiently than the original bilevel image whenever the average run length of black pixels in the original image is greater than two. Compression is achieved because the correlation between adjacent pixels is reduced compared with the original image. The encoding/decoding operations are described and compression performance is presented for a set of standard bilevel images.

Endometriosis-associated nerve fibers, peritoneal fluid cytokine concentrations, and pain in endometriotic lesions from different locations

To assess the relationship between endometriotic lesions with associated nerve fibers with both pain and peritoneal fluid (PF) cytokine concentrations based on lesion location.

An unusual cause of paralysis of the peroneal nerve: a report of 3 cases

We present 3 cases of a 12-year-old boy, an 8-year-old girl, and a 9-year-old boy with progressive paresis of the peroneal nerve. Peroneal intraneural ganglia are a rare cause of paralysis of the lower limb in children; more often these symptoms occur because of exostosis. Ultrasound imaging in both patients showed a cystic mass near the fibular neck. Magnetic resonance imaging examination revealed that the ganglion is communicating with the proximal tibiofibular joint. Surgical exploration in these patients confirmed a cystic formation involving the common peroneal nerve. The ganglion originates from the articular nerve branch to the proximal tibiofibular joint. Total recovery of nerve function was seen 2 years later for the first patient, whereas the other 2 showed immediate postoperative improvement of peroneal nerve function and complete recovery within 6 to 8 weeks. On the other hand, patients with exostosis showed varying outcomes. In children with symptoms suspicious of nerve compression, fast diagnosis and immediate treatment are necessary to ensure the best possible recovery.

Anatomic study of the superficial sural artery and its implication in the neurocutaneous vascularized sural nerve free flap

Combined extended nerve and soft tissue defects of the upper extremity require nerve reconstruction and adequate soft tissue coverage. This study focuses on the reliability of the free vascularized sural nerve graft combined with a fasciocutaneous posterior calf flap within this indication. An anatomical study was performed on 26 cadaveric lower extremities that had been Thiel fixated and color silicone injected. Dissection of the fasciocutaneous posterior calf flap involved the medial sural nerve and superficial sural artery (SSA) with its septocutaneous perforators, extended laterally to include the lateral cutaneous branch of the sural nerve and continued to the popliteal origin of the vascular pedicle and the nerves. The vessel and nerves diameter were measured with an eyepiece reticle at 4.5× magnification. Length and diameter of the nerves and vessels were carefully assessed and reported in the dissection book. A total of 26 flaps were dissected. The SSA originated from the medial sural artery (13 cases), the popliteal artery (12 cases), or the lateral sural artery (one case). The average size of the SSA was 1.4 ± 0.4 mm. The mean pedicle length before the artery joined the sural nerve was 4.5 ± 1.9 cm. A comitant vein was present in 21 cases with an average diameter of 2.0 ± 0.8 mm, in 5 cases a separate vein needed to be dissected with an average diameter of 3.5 ± 0.4 mm. The mean medial vascularized sural nerve length was 21.2 ± 8.9 cm. Because of inclusion of the vascularized part of the lateral branch of the sural nerve (mean length of 16.7 ± 4.8 cm), a total of 35.0 ± 9.6 cm mean length of vascularized nerve could be gained from each extremity. The free vascularized sural nerve graft combined with a fasciocutaneous posterior calf flap pedicled on the SSA offers a reliable solution for complex tissue and nerve defect. Clin. Anat. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Endoscopic decompression of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel syndrome: about 55 patients]

Sulcus ulnaris syndrome is the second most common neurocompression syndrome in the upper limb after carpal tunnel syndrome. Its severity can be appreciated by the Dellon Classification. We present our experience and results after endoscopic decompression.

A mouse model of Schwartz-Jampel syndrome reveals myelinating Schwann cell dysfunction with persistent axonal depolarization in vitro and distal peripheral nerve hyperexcitability when perlecan is lacking

Congenital peripheral nerve hyperexcitability (PNH) is usually associated with impaired function of voltage-gated K(+) channels (VGKCs) in neuromyotonia and demyelination in peripheral neuropathies. Schwartz-Jampel syndrome (SJS) is a form of PNH that is due to hypomorphic mutations of perlecan, the major proteoglycan of basement membranes. Schwann cell basement membrane and its cell receptors are critical for the myelination and organization of the nodes of Ranvier. We therefore studied a mouse model of SJS to determine whether a role for perlecan in these functions could account for PNH when perlecan is lacking. We revealed a role for perlecan in the longitudinal elongation and organization of myelinating Schwann cells because perlecan-deficient mice had shorter internodes, more numerous Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, and increased amounts of internodal fast VGKCs. Perlecan-deficient mice did not display demyelination events along the nerve trunk but developed dysmyelination of the preterminal segment associated with denervation processes at the neuromuscular junction. Investigating the excitability properties of the peripheral nerve suggested a persistent axonal depolarization during nerve firing in vitro, most likely due to defective K(+) homeostasis, and excluded the nerve trunk as the original site for PNH. Altogether, our data shed light on perlecan function by revealing critical roles in Schwann cell physiology and suggest that PNH in SJS originates distally from synergistic actions of peripheral nerve and neuromuscular junction changes.

Quantitative assessment of physiological and behavioural parameters in healthy dairy cows evoked by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation of the udder

The pain and distress associated with transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) of the udder was evaluated by treating 20 healthy dairy cows with an electrical udder stimulator. This generated a sequence of pulses (frequency: 160+/-10% impulses per second, duration 250 mus) and provided voltage ranges from 0 to 10 volts (+/-10%). Trials took place on three consecutive days, twice daily after morning and evening milking. Daily sessions were divided into two periods: (1) control (sham treatment) and (2) treatment (real treatment). Physiological (heart rate, respiratory rate, and plasma cortisol concentration) as well as ethological parameters (kicking, weight shifting, and looking backwards to udder) were defined as pain-indicating parameters and observed. Evaluation of data showed that only one parameter (kicking) was significantly increased during real treatment compared to sham treatment. It is concluded that the TENS therapy tested in this study can evoke changes in behaviour (increased kicking) consistent with an experience of pain in some cows.

Clinical course of a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor in a Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)

A 14-year-old male Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) was admitted with an ulcerating mass on the right thoracic wall. Radiographic and computed tomographic evaluation indicated 2 isolated cutaneous masses without any signs of metastasis. Histology of a Tru-Cut biopsy revealed an anaplastic sarcoma with giant cells. Both tumors were resected with appropriate normal tissue margins. The size of the defect did not allow primary closure of the wound; therefore, a mesh expansion technique was attempted. Three months later, the tiger had to be euthanized due to extensive metastasis to the lungs. Histomorphological features and immunohistochemical results confirmed the diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. In contrast to domestic animal experience, the tumor had spread extensively to the lungs without local reccurrence in a short period of time. Correct diagnosis requires various immunohistochemical evaluations of the tumor tissue.

Plexiform hybrid granular cell tumor/perineurioma: a novel variant of benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor with divergent differentiation

The descriptive term hybrid peripheral nerve sheath tumor refers to any neoplasm of the neurilemmal apparatus composed of more than one pathologically defined tumoral equivalent derived from its constituent cells. Within this uncommon nosological category, participation of granular cell tumor - a neoplasm of modified Schwann cells - has been reported only exceptionally. We describe a hitherto not documented variant composed of an organoid mixture of granular cell tumor and perineurioma with plexiform growth. A solitary subcutaneous nodule of 1.5 cm diameter was excised from the right ring finger of a 19-year-old female with no antecedents of neurofibromatosis or relevant trauma. Histology revealed a monotonous, yet cytologically dimorphic proliferation of classical granular cells intermingled with flattened, inconspicuous perineurial cells. Immunohistochemical double labeling detected expression of S100 protein in the former and of EMA and GLUT-1 in the latter. While the respective staining patterns for S100 protein and EMA or GLUT-1 tended to be mutually exclusive, a minority of cells exhibited transitional granular cell/perineurial immunophenotype. Electron microscopy permitted direct visualization of a plethora of lysosomes in the granular cell moiety, and of pinocytotic vesicles and tight junctions in perineurial cells. Intratumoral axons were not detected. Expanding intraneurally, the lesion showed discrete encapsulation by the local perineurium, and resulted in plexiform growth. The MIB-1 labeling index averaged 1%. We interpret our findings as supporting evidence for the dual cell lineage to have arisen through metaplasia, with the tumor's dynamics probably having been driven by the granular cell component.

Suspected paradoxical nerve root signature in a dog with right-sided intervertebral lumbar disk extrusion: a case report

A 7 year old male mongrel dog was presented with a 3 weeks history of gait disturbance in the pelvic limbs more pronounced on the left side associated with pain in the lumbar spine. At presentation neurologic deficits consisted of mild bilateral proprioceptive deficits and nerve root signature in the left pelvic limb. A large intervertebral disc herniation L3-L4 located in a right ventrolateral area of the spinal canal was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging. The herniated disc was removed through right hemilaminectomy and fenestration. The dog recovered quickly and returned to the owners 4 days after surgery with a slight lameness in the left pelvic limb. On the follow-up examination 2 months later the dog showed normal gait and normal neurological examination. Nerve root signature is not always indicative for the side of the lesion in case of lateralized intervertebral disc herniation

Ultrasound imaging to estimate risk of esophageal and vascular puncture after conventional stellate ganglion block

The most common techniques to perform stellate ganglion blocks (SGBs) are the blind C6 approach and the fluoroscopic-controlled paratracheal C7 approach, both after manual dislocation of the large vessels. Complications due to vascular or esophageal puncture have been reported. The goal of this ultrasound imaging study was to determine how frequently hazardous structures are located along the needle path of conventional SGB and to determine the influence of the dislocation maneuver on their position.

Vasectomy reversal with ultrasonography-guided spermatic cord block

Study Type--Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4. What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Vasectomy reversal is often performed in general or neuraxial anaesthesia. Even though the site of vasectomy reversal is easily amenable to regional/local anaesthesia, spermatic cord blocks are rarely applied because of their risk of vascular damage within the spermatic cord. Recently, we described the technique of ultrasonography (US)-guided spermatic cord block for scrotal surgery, which, thanks to the US guidance, at the same time avoids the risk of vascular damage of blindly performed injections and the risks of general and neuraxial anaesthesia. Vasectomy reversal can easily be done in regional anaesthesia with the newly described technique of US-guided spermatic cord block without the risks of vascular damage by a blindly performed injection and the risks of standard general and neuraxial anaesthesia. In addition, this technique grants long-lasting postoperative pain relief and patients recover more quickly. Microsurgical conditions are excellent and patient satisfaction is high. Thanks to these advantages, more patients undergoing vasectomy reversal might avoid general or neuraxial anaesthesia.