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Thesis
Investigating the electrophysiological response of neonatal brachial plexus nerves when subjected to stretch
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000032
Abstract
Neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) has been a prominent challenge in obstetrics with reported incidence of 1 to 4 per 1000 childbirths in the United States. NBPP occurs due to over stretching of brachial plexus (BP) during complicated birthing scenarios resulting in functional disability of the upper limb. No data exists on functional responses of BP nerves acutely post-stretch. The goal of this study is to investigate the electrophysiological responses of BP nerves (musculocutaneous, radial, median and ulnar) when subjected to varying degrees of strain ranges from 5-10%, 15-20% or 25-30% at displacement rate of 500 mm/min. Neonatal piglets (3-5 days old, N=10) were anesthetized and intubated to perform surgical exposure of bilateral BP. All the animal procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Baseline nerve conduction data were collected prior to subjecting varying degrees of pre-determined BP strains. Immediately post stretch, electrophysiological recordings were performed to investigate the effects of strain on BP function. Data analysis included calculating the latency, amplitude, and conduction velocity (CV) before stretch and after stretch and calculating percentage change in these parameters in response to subjected strain. Increasing strains resulted in an increase in latency and reduction in amplitude and CV in the stretched nerves. Strain range of 15-20% exhibited a greater functional deficit while strain range of 5-10% exhibited lower functional deficit. Furthermore, strains higher than 20% reported a conduction block (CB) in all four BP nerves. In bifurcating nerves from the common cord, the unstretched nerves exhibited no change in latency and CV but a decrease in amplitude with respect to the stretched nerves at strain ranges of 5-10% and 15-20%. These study findings will help in better understanding the functional responses associated with NBPP in human neonates and can aid in better prognosis and treatment options.
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Details
- Title
- Investigating the electrophysiological response of neonatal brachial plexus nerves when subjected to stretch
- Creators
- Radhika Rahul Gangakhedkar
- Contributors
- Sriram Balasubramanian (Advisor) - Drexel University, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health SystemsAnita Singh (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- x, 94 pages
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014695235504721