The correlation between calcium intensity and histopathological changes in brachial plexus nerve injuries. J Reconstr Microsurg 2013 Sep;29(7):465-71
Date
05/11/2013Pubmed ID
23661333DOI
10.1055/s-0033-1345436Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84882275374 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 3 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: After nerve injury, an influx of calcium exceeds the homeostatic capacity, which damages peripheral nerves. Previous studies identified that following nerve crush, function improves as calcium levels normalize.
METHODS: Electrophysiological analysis was performed to measure the compound muscle action potential of 15 patients' damaged nerves. These samples were evaluated for calcium level and also stained with a Luxol fast blue and neurofilament antibodies to evaluate the myelin sheath and neurofilaments of the nerves. Based on the Sunderland scale, we identified three exclusive types of peripheral nerve injury groups.
RESULTS: There was a correlation between histopathological damage and calcium levels of 0.81 (p < 0.005). The average relative fluorescence units (RFUs) was 235.28 ± 19, which corresponds to 5.3 × 10⁻⁷ M of calcium, five times the normal value.
CONCLUSION: Our study shows promising clinical implications via faster pathology results by the RFU technique. This approach of calcium staining, though still in clinical trials, offers significant clinical application, allowing physicians to get the clinically diagnostic nerve injury degree faster and will also facilitate better strategies for further treatment or future surgeries.
Author List
Davis J, O'Connor E, Zhang LL, Agresti M, Matloub HS, Sanger J, Jaradeh SS, Yan JGAuthor
Hani S. Matloub MD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultBrachial Plexus
Calcium
Calcium Signaling
Coloring Agents
Electrophysiology
Female
Humans
Indoles
Male
Microsurgery
Middle Aged
Myelin Sheath
Nerve Crush
Neural Conduction
Peripheral Nerve Injuries
Recovery of Function
