So JI, et al. Ann Rehabil Med. 2017 Feb;41(1):51-57. https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2017.41.1.51

Myotonic dystrophy is a systemic disorder associated with progressive muscle weakness of the limbs and multiorgan dysfunction. This condition commonly affects the levator palpebrae superioris muscle, which leads to ptosis and eventually affects patients’ activities of daily living. The effects of ptosis on activities of daily living are usually overlooked; therefore, the importance of treatment is underestimated, and surgical procedures are considered infeasible in patients with preexistent levator palpebrae superioris muscle weakness. This case report describes the case of a middle-aged man with myotonic dystrophy type 1, who presented with ptosis, which significantly restricted his participation in rehabilitation and activities of daily living secondary to a limited visual field. He was evaluated by an ophthalmologist; however, surgery was contraindicated in view of the high risk of complications, such as exposure keratitis and corneal ulcer. Double eyelid tapes were used as a nonsurgical intervention, which significantly increased the palpebral fissure height and improved the visual field, with a higher modified functional index score. Double eyelid tapes may serve as an effective, safe, and reliable therapeutic option for severe ptosis in patients with myotonic dystrophy.

Background: Patients with severe dysphagia are usually fed using a nasogastric tube (NGT). Many patients who receive long-term NGT feeding are unable to obtain sufficient nutrients orally immediately after NGT removal. Thus, a transitional period involving oral diet training is required to transition from NGT feeding to exclusive oral feeding. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of oral diet training in indwelling NGT patients with prolonged dysphagia. Methods: A total of 175 patients who were fed using an NGT for more than 4 weeks were enrolled. Their swallowing function was evaluated by a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). During the VFSS, patients received thick and thin barium while the NGT was inserted. Then, the patients underwent a VFSS without an NGT thirty minutes after NGT removal. If a patient had no aspiration with NGT inserted during the VFSS, oral diet training combined with NGT feeding was recommended. Results: Of the 49 indwelling NGT patients who were recommended to receive oral diet training, 39 (79.6%) transitioned to exclusive oral feeding. A transition period of 2–8 weeks was required for them to achieve full oral feeding. Patients who were eligible for oral feeding trials showed no significant aspiration during the VFSS with an NGT inserted and had sufficient cough function. Patients who required prolonged NGT feeding and who could not complete oral trials showed significant aspiration during the VFSS when an NGT was inserted. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that oral diet training combined with NGT feeding is safe in patients with prolonged dysphagia who have sufficient cough function and no aspiration during VFSS. We suggest that if the patient is a proper candidate for NGT removal, direct oral feeding training with an NGT inserted could be a useful therapeutic strategy during the transitional period from long-term NGT feeding to successful oral feeding.

Rationale: Heterotopic ossification (HO), an ectopic bone formation in soft tissue around the joint, is a complication observed in stroke patients. HO around the hip joint causes a reduction in the functional ability of patients by generating pain and limiting range of motion (ROM). In addition, it results in impaired mobility, ultimately affecting quality of life and increasing the mortality of patients. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has demonstrated efficacy in treating soft tissue inflammation and has been used to reduce patients’ pain in HO. However, almost none of the studies reported degradation in the size of HO on images obtained before and after ESWT application. Patient concerns and Diagnosis: We report a case of a 36-year-old man who developed HO around both hip joints 3 months after bilateral pontine hemorrhage. Interventions: Seven months after HO development, ESWT was administered to the area of HO every other day for a total of 10 sessions. Outcomes: Immediately following treatment, the ROM of both hip joints increased. Thus the patient was able to maintain a sitting posture without having to be bound to the wheelchair. In addition, the tolerable sitting time before groaning increased from less than ten minutes to almost 60 minutes by the end of all ESWT sessions. Unlike other previous reports, a diminished HO size was confirmed by comparing plain X-rays and bone scans obtained before and after treatment sessions. Lessons: In this case, we report an objective size reduction in HO in radiologic findings after applying ESWT to both hips. ESWT is a safe, easy-to-apply, and noninvasive modality. We would like to emphasize the use of ESWT as a treatment option for HO to decrease the extent of HO, as well as to improve pain, spasticity and function in patients with stroke.

Background Patients with severe dysphagia are usually fed using a nasogastric tube (NGT). Many patients who receive long-term NGT feeding are unable to obtain sufficient nutrients orally immediately after NGT removal. Thus, a transitional period involving oral diet training is required to transition from NGT feeding to exclusive oral feeding. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic effect of oral diet training in indwelling NGT patients with prolonged dysphagia. Methods A total of 175 patients who were fed using an NGT for more than 4 weeks were enrolled. Their swallowing function was evaluated by a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). During the VFSS, patients received thick and thin barium while the NGT was insulted. Then, the patients underwent a VFSS without an NGT thirty minutes after NGT removal. If a patient had no aspiration with NGT inserted during the VFSS, oral diet training combined with NGT feeding was recommended. Results Of the 49 indwelling NGT patients who were recommended to receive oral diet training, 39 (79.6%) transitioned to exclusive oral feeding. A transition period of 2-8 weeks was required for them to achieve full oral feeding. Patients who were eligible for oral feeding trials showed no significant aspiration during the VFSS with an NGT inserted and had sufficient cough function. Patients who required prolonged NGT feeding and who could not complete oral trials showed significant aspiration during the VFSS when an NGT was inserted. Conclusion This study demonstrated that oral diet training combined with NGT feeding was safe in patients with prolonged dysphagia who had sufficient cough function and no aspiration during VFSS. We suggest that if the patient is a proper candidate for NGT removal, direct oral feeding training with an NGT inserted could be a useful therapeutic strategy during the transitional period from long-term NGT feeding to successful oral feeding.