Rehab Centers: Gas Bubble Disease in the Brain of a Living California Sea Lion (Zalophus Californianus).

Gas Bubble Disease in the Brain of a Living California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus).

Filed under: Rehab Centers

Front Physiol. 2013; 4: 5
Van Bonn W, Dennison S, Cook P, Fahlman A

A yearling California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) was admitted into rehabilitation with signs of cerebellar pathology. Diagnostic imaging that included radiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated space-occupying lesions predominantly in the cerebellum that were filled partially by CSF-like fluid and partially by gas, and cerebral lesions that were fluid filled. Over a maximum period of 4?months, the brain lesions reduced in size and the gas resorbed and was replaced by CSF-like fluid. In humans, the cerebellum is known to be essential for automating practiced movement patterns (e.g., learning to touch-type), also known as procedural learning or the consolidation of “motor memory.” To test the animal in this study for motor memory deficits, an alternation task in a two-choice maze was utilized. The sea lion performed poorly similar to another case of pneumocerebellum previously reported, and contrary to data acquired from a group of sea lions with specific hippocampal injury. The learning deficits were attributed to the cerebellar injury. These data provide important insight both to the clinical presentation and behavioral observations of cerebellar injury in sea lions, as well as providing an initial model for long-term outcome following cerebellar injury. The specific etiology of the gas could not be determined. The live status of the patient with recovery suggests that the most likely etiologies for the gas are either de novo formation or air emboli secondary to trauma. A small air gun pellet was present within and was removed from soft tissues adjacent to the tympanic bulla. While no evidence to support the pellet striking bone was found, altered dive pattern associated with this human interaction may have provided the opportunity for gas bubble formation to occur. The similarity in distribution of the gas bubble related lesions in this case compared with another previously published case of pneumocerebellum suggests that preferential perfusion of the brain, and more specifically the cerebellum, may occur during diving events.
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The Role of Mechanical Forces in the Initiation and Progression of Osteoarthritis.

Filed under: Rehab Centers

HSS J. 2012 Feb; 8(1): 37-38
Buckwalter JA

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Anticipatory guidance for cognitive and social-emotional development: Birth to five years.

Filed under: Rehab Centers

Paediatr Child Health. 2012 Feb; 17(2): 75-80
Dosman C, Andrews D

The present article serves as a quick office reference for clinicians, providing anticipatory guidance about the cognitive and social-emotional development of newborns, and children up to five years of age. The present review links recommendations to specific evidence in the medical literature, citing sources of developmental standards and advice, so that these may be further explored if desired. Practising primary care providers have indicated that these are areas of child development that are not well addressed by training and other available resources. The present article includes parenting information on important clinical presentations with which clinicians may be less familiar, such as promoting attachment, prosocial behaviours, healthy sleep habits, self-discipline and problem-solving; as well as on managing behaviours that are part of normal development, such as separation anxiety, tantrums, aggression, picky eating and specific fears. Information on the development of language, literacy and socialization are also included.
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Use of thoracic spine manipulation in the treatment of adhesive capsulitis: a case report.

Filed under: Rehab Centers

J Man Manip Ther. 2012 Feb; 20(1): 28-34
McCormack JR

Adhesive capsulitis (AC) is a common and disabling shoulder condition seen in physical therapy, and there is no clear consensus as to the best treatment approach. Recently there has been emerging evidence that manual therapy directed at the thoracic spine may be beneficial for patients with shoulder pain; however, this has not been examined specifically in patients with AC. The purpose of this paper is to present the case of 59-year-old female referred to physical therapy with a diagnosis of AC. The patient presented with complaints of left shoulder pain and significant limitations in range of motion (ROM) and upper extremity function. The initial treatment included exercises and manual therapy directed at the glenohumeral and scapulothoracic joints, and after 10 visits only minimal progress had been made. Further examination revealed mobility and ROM deficits in the thoracic spine, and manual therapy directed at this region was incorporated into her treatment. After the first session of thoracic spine manual therapy (TSMT) a 25 degree improvement was noted in active shoulder flexion. After four total visits of TSMT substantial improvements in pain, ROM, and function were noted compared to those made during the first 10 visits. This case adds to the emerging evidence that manual therapy directed at the thoracic spine should be considered for patients with shoulder pain.
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