Objective To observe the effect of Botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A) injection on spastic iliopsoas in the children with cerebral palsy. Methods July 2006 to August 2012, 37 cerebral palsy children with spastic iliopsoas were treated. The age ranged from 3 to 15 years.The control group (n=20) was treated by physical therapy. The experimental group (n=17) accepted BTX-A injection in addition. The dose of BTX-A block was identified with the weight of the child and the modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). The dose of injection ranged from 15 IU to 45 IU, average (31.2±13.9) IU. Results There was no significant difference between 2 groups in age, weight, MAS score, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) score and extension angle of hip joints before treatment (P>0.05). In both groups, the MAS score decreased,GMFM score and extension angle of hip joints increased after 8 weeks. In the control group, the GMFM score improved significantly (P<0.05). In the experimental group, MAS score, GMFM score and extension angle of hip joints changed significantly after treatment. There was significant difference between 2 groups in MAS score, GMFM score and extension angle of hip joints after treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion The BTX-A injection can relieve iliopsoas spasticity on the children with cerebral palsy efficiently.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the primary management experience for giant liver hemangiomas greater than 20 cm in size. METHODS: Records of patients referred for evaluation of radiologically and/or histopathologically proven giant liver hemangiomas between January 2007 and March 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. The reasons for referral, results of imaging studies, preoperative and surgical treatments, and outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: A retrospective analysis was performed for 14 patients diagnosed with a giant hemangioma on the basis of an imaging study and/or a histopathological examination. All cases were diagnosed as giant liver hemangioma with at least one lesion greater than 20 cm in size. Abdominal discomfort was the main presenting complaint for the referral in 9 patients (64.2%). Abdominal ultrasound established the diagnosis in 12 patients (85.7%). Twelve patients underwent liver resection, 2 of whom underwent staged resection. Enucleation was performed in 2 patients. Selective transcatheter arterial embolization was implemented in 9 patients. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 3 patients (21.4%). No complications related to the hemangiomas occurred during follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Liver resection is indicated for giant liver hemangiomas with abdominal discomfort, especially for lesions greater than 20 cm in size. Staged operations are performed for patients with multiple lesions. Preoperative selective transcatheter arterial embolization alleviates progressive abdominal pain.
Abdominal Pain ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Liver ; Referral and Consultation ; Retrospective Studies

Adult ; Hemangioma, Cavernous ; surgery ; Humans ; Intestinal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Intestine, Small ; blood supply ; transplantation ; Male ; Mesentery ; surgery ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy ; methods ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVETo explore the changes in the expressions of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and growth- associated protein-43 (GAP-43) in retinal ganglial cells after neural transplantation.

METHODSThirty-nine rats were randomized into normal control group, nerve amputation group and nerve amputation with peripheral nerve transplantation group. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the changes in the expressions of GFAP and GAP-43 at different time points after the operations, and real-time PCR was employed to detect the mRNA expressions of 13 genes in the retinal ganglial cells of the rats.

RESULTSImmunohistochemistry showed obviously increased GFAP expressions in the retina following the nerve amputation. GFAP expression was down-regulated while GAP-43 expression upregulated in the retinal ganglial cells after peripheral nerve transplantation. Real-time PCR results showed that 5 days after the operations, retinal GFAP and GAP-43 expressions increased significantly in the nerve amputation group and peripheral nerve transplantation groups as compared with those in the control group, but GAP-43 expression decreased significantly in the former two groups afterwards.

CONCLUSIONThe regenerated retina may adjust the production of GFAP. The retinal ganglial cells express GAP-43 during retinal regeneration. Up-regulation of the expression of GAP-43 provides the evidence for nerve regeneration following the nerve transplantation.

Animals ; Axons ; Female ; GAP-43 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nerve Regeneration ; genetics ; Optic Nerve ; transplantation ; Optic Nerve Injuries ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Retinal Ganglion Cells ; metabolism