Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Background: Thoracic spine pain (TSP) is a very common condition and can be just as disabling as cervical and lumbar pain. The causes of thoracic spine pain are numerous, ranging from less serious non-specific mechanical causes to serious specific underlying pathology. Chiropractors used to request routine radiographs as part of their diagnostic work-up, however limited correlation currently exists between radiographical findings and clinical symptoms in non-specific mechanical thoracic spine pain. The overutilization of plain film radiographs worldwide emphasises the need to investigate which clinical conditions in patients with TSP are sent for radiographs and if they were ethically indicated. Literature is currently limited on the role of thoracic spine x-rays and their influence on the management of patients with TSP. Objectives: The objectives of this retrospective study were: 1) to record the consultation at which thoracic spine radiographs were requested by the student or clinician and the reasons therefore, 2) to determine the number of incidental radiographic findings in the selected patients‟ radiographs, 3) to determine the suspected clinical diagnosis and management of the selected patients prior to referral for thoracic spine radiographs, 4) to determine any change in the clinical diagnoses and management following radiographic reporting of the selected patient‟s radiographs, 5) to determine the correlation between the suspected clinical diagnosis and the radiographic diagnosis of patients with thoracic spine pain. Method: The archives of the Chiropractic Day Clinic (CDC) at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) were searched for all available thoracic spine radiographs and corresponding patient files of patients who presented to the clinic with thoracic spine pain from 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2014. The ABCS (Alignment, Bone, Cartilage, Soft tissue) System was utilised to record data of the radiographs without any knowledge of the patient‟s main compliant. The corresponding patient files were then evaluated with selected clinical variables being recorded. Statistical analysis and interpretation included frequency counts, percentages, mean, standard deviation and ranges for the descriptive objectives. The radiographic and clinical diagnoses were then compared in a two-by-two table to determine any possible relationships in diagnoses of patients with thoracic spine pain. Results: Thirty clinical files and their corresponding thoracic spine radiographs were analysed in this study. The mean age of the patients was 43.6 (± 19.1) years with a gender distribution of 40% males and 60% females. Statistical testing using paired t-tests in order to assess the correlation between the clinical and radiological diagnoses was not possible, as the categories were too different. The most frequent primary radiological diagnosis was both old trauma and scoliosis at 33.3%, followed by thoracic spondylosis at 20%. The majority of thoracic spine radiographs were requested at the initial consultation. The most common reasons for radiographic referral were severe, progressive TSP at 58.6%, trauma at 48.3% and persistent, localised TSP for more than four weeks at 37.9%. The diagnosis remained unchanged in 70% of the patients following radiographic examination. However, in 30% of the cases the clinical diagnosis was changed following radiographic examination. Most patients were diagnosed with non-specific mechanical causes of thoracic spine pain. A wide variety of treatment modalities were utilised before and after radiographic examination, including soft tissue therapy, electro modalities, spinal manipulative therapy and dry needling. A total of 66.6% of the patients in the study had changes made to their management protocol following radiographic evaluation. There was a greater use of spinal manipulative therapy, following radiographic evaluation at 56.7% versus only 26.7% of cases prior to radiographic imaging. Conclusion: Thoracic spine radiographs have little impact on the diagnosis and management of patients with thoracic spine pain as the majority of clinical diagnoses were non- specific mechanical causes of thoracic spine pain. Thoracic spine radiographs were influential in the diagnosis and management of 30% of the cases. Thoracic spine radiographs may therefore be over-utilised at the DUT CDC. However, the use of spinal manipulative therapy more than doubled following radiographic evaluation of the thoracic spine in patients with thoracic spine pain. / M

INTRODUÇÃO: Com o avanço da tecnologia, alguns equipamentos vêm sendo incorporados ao ato operatório, dentre eles os robôs, que apesar da notoriedade ainda são considerados controversos. MÉTODO: Trabalho clínico aleatorizado, duplo cego, avaliando a segurança e a eficiência, na cirurgia torácica videoassistida, para o tratamento da hiperidrose palmar/axilar, comparando o grupo \"Hu\" (auxiliar humano) e o grupo \"Ro\" (auxiliar robô), na manipulação da ótica. Foram analisados 38 casos, 19 casos em cada grupo, \"Hu\" e \"Ro\". Todos os procedimentos foram realizados sob anestesia geral, com secção do nervo simpático ao nível T3, T4 e G3. Os procedimentos foram filmados e gravados, sendo que dois observadores independentes avaliaram: número de movimentos inadvertidos, toques em estruturas da cavidade torácica e número de vezes em que a ótica foi retirada para limpeza. Foram avaliados, ainda, os seguintes parâmetros: 1. quanto à segurança - intercorrências cirúrgicas, dor torácica e aspecto da cicatriz; 2. quanto à eficácia - tempos total, cirúrgico e de utilização de ótica, presença de anidrose palmar/axilar, permanência hospitalar, hiperidrose vicariante e satisfação com o resultado do procedimento. RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos comparando o grupo \"Hu\" e \"Ro\", quanto à segurança, mostram que não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa nos seguintes parâmetros: intercorrências cirúrgicas, movimentos inadvertidos, dor torácica e aspecto da cicatriz entre os dois grupos. Porém, o número de toques em estruturas na cavidade torácica foi menor no grupo \"Ro\" (p<0,001). Quanto à eficácia, não ocorreu diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos nos seguintes parâmetros: número de vezes em que a ótica foi retirada para limpeza, presença de anidrose palmar/axilar, permanência hospitalar, hiperidrose vicariante e grau de satisfação com o resultado do procedimento. Porém, o grupo \"Hu\" apresentou menor tempos total, de cirurgia e de utilização da ótica (p<0,001), quando comparado ao grupo \"Ro\". CONCLUSÕES: Podemos concluir que o auxílio da robótica no manuseio da ótica, na cirurgia videoassistida para realização de simpatectomia torácica para tratamento da hiperidrose, é seguro e eficiente, quando comparado ao auxílio humano. / INTRODUCTION: With the advance of technology, some pieces of equipment have been incorporated into the surgical act, among which robots, that, in spite of their notoriety, are still considered controversial. METHOD: A randomized double blind clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficiency in video-assisted thoracic surgery for the treatment of palmar/axillary hyperhidrosis, comparing the \"Hu\" (human-assisted) group and the \"Ro\" (robot-assisted) group, in the manipulation of the optics. Thirty-eight cases were analyzed, 19 cases in each group, \"Hu\" and \"Ro\". All the procedures were conducted under general anesthesia, with the ablation of the sympathetic nerve at T3, T4 and G3 levels. The procedures were recorded, in that two independent observers assessed: the number of involuntary movements, contact with structures of the thoracic cavity, and the number of times in which the optics was removed to be cleaned. The following parameters were also assessed: 1. on safety - surgical events, thoracic pain and scar appearance; 2. on efficiency - total times, surgical and optics use, presence of palmar/axillary anhydrosis, hospital stay, vicarious hyperhidrosis and satisfaction with the result of the procedure. RESULTS: The results obtained by comparing the \"Hu\" and \"Ro\" groups on safety show there was no significant statistical difference in the following parameters: surgical events, involuntary movements, thoracic pain and scar appearance between the two groups. However, the number of contacts with structures in the thoracic cavity was less in the \"Ro\" group (p<0.001). On efficiency, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups in the following parameters: number of times in which the optics was removed to be cleaned, presence of palmar/axillary anhydrosis, hospital stay, vicarious hyperhidrosis, and the level of satisfaction with the result of the procedure. However, the \"Hu\" group presented less total time of surgery and of optics use (p<0.001), when compared to the \"Ro\" group. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that the robot-assisted procedure in handling the optics in video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy for the treatment of hyperhidrosis is safe and efficient when compared to the human-assisted procedure.

Submitted by Fabíola Silva (fabiola.silva@famerp.br) on 2017-05-25T19:30:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 antoniocarlosbrandi_tese.pdf: 1540715 bytes, checksum: 85572fb595b07fb61d81ed453db08401 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-25T19:30:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 antoniocarlosbrandi_tese.pdf: 1540715 bytes, checksum: 85572fb595b07fb61d81ed453db08401 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-05-20 / Introduction: Thoracic aortic diseases, including dissections, aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms among other, are serious conditions that bring serious risks of morbidity and mortality. Its incidence is low, but has been growing gradually due to the increase in life expectancy of the population, that in most cases, is associated with hypertension, smoking and diabetes mellitus. Advances in diagnostic techniques have also contributed to the identification of an increasing number of cases. The development of minimally invasive endovascular procedures has been used successfully in the treatment of these diseases, including patients with no indication for conventional surgical treatment. Objective: Evaluate the long-term results of endovascular treatment of patients with diseases of the thoracic aorta underwent implantation of self-expandable stent-grafts. Methods: This prospective study evaluated 112 patients who underwent percutaneous implantation of endoprosthesis of the thoracic aorta, from October 1998 to August 2013. Self-expandable endoprosthesis stent-graft Braile Biomédica ®, made of stainless steel and nitinol were employed. The occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative primary success, endoleaks, mortality, late evolution of the endoprosthesis and survival were evaluated in long term follow-up. Results: The mean time of the procedures was 72.66 ± 43.36 minutes (range 30-240 minutes). A total of 150 self-expandable stents were implanted in 112 patients, 61 (40.66%) of stainless steel and 89 (59.33%) of nitinol. The diameter and length of the stents of stainless steel and nitinol ranged from 24-45 mm (median 33) and 70-130 mm (median 90) 22-46 mm (median 35) and between 40 and 230 mm (median 110) respectively. The number of stents implanted per patient ranged from 1 to 4 (median 1). Primary success was observed in 100 (82.14%) of 112 patients treated. Immediate mortality occurred in seven (6.25%) patients, five (4.46%) from cardiovascular causes and two (1.78%) for non-cardiovascular causes. Late mortality occurred in 31 (27.68%) patients, 10 (8.93%) from cardiovascular causes, 12 (10.71%) for non-cardiovascular causes, two (1.78%) from natural causes-seven (6.25%) with no diagnosis. There hospital type I endoleaks occurred in four patients (3.57%), type II in five (4.46%) and three type IV (2.68%). Late endoleaks type I occurred in five (4.46%) patients and type IV in three (2.68%). Twenty-two patients (19.64%) had clinical complications in the immediate postoperative period, including nine (8.03%) pulmonary complications, four (3.57%) neurological abnormalities, three (2.67%) acute renal failure, two (1.78%) infections in the surgical incision, two (1.78%) with progression to post-implantation syndrome and one (0.89%) with laceration of the arterial access. Follow-up time ranged from 1 to 179 months (median 46). The acturial survival curve was 79,3% (IC95% 67,0-91,7) at 132 months free of death from cardiovascular causes. The logistic regression analysis showed that renal failure was the only risk factor that showed a statistically significant difference. Conclusions: The low levels of intra and postoperative complications demonstrate that the treatment is safe and effective. The high rate of survival after 132 months of follow-up for these critically ill patients show the benefits of endovascular technique to treatment of thoracic aorta diseases. / Introdução: Doenças da aorta torácica, incluindo as dissecções, aneurismas, pseudoaneurismas entre outras, são condições graves que trazem sérios riscos de morbimortalidade. Sua incidência é baixa, porém, vem crescendo gradativamente em virtude do aumento da expectativa de vida da população que, na maioria dos casos, está associada à hipertensão arterial, tabagismo e diabetes. Os avanços nas técnicas diagnósticas também têm contribuído para a identificação de um número cada vez maior de casos. O desenvolvimento de procedimentos endovasculares minimamente invasivos vem sendo utilizado com sucesso no tratamento destas doenças, inclusive em pacientes sem indicação para tratamento cirúrgico convencional. Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados em longo prazo do tratamento endovascular de pacientes portadores de doenças da aorta torácica submetidos ao implante de endopróteses autoexpansíveis stent-grafts. Casuística e Métodos: Estudo prospectivo que avaliou 112 pacientes submetidos ao implante percutâneo de endoprótese na aorta torácica, no período de outubro de 1998 a agosto de 2013. Foram empregadas endopróteses autoexpansíveis stent-grafts da Braile Biomédica®, confeccionadas em aço inox e nitinol. Foram avaliadas a ocorrência de complicações intra e pós-operatórias, sucesso primário, endoleak, mortalidade, evolução tardia da endoprótese e a sobrevivência em seguimento de longo prazo. Resultados. O tempo médio dos procedimentos foi de 72,66±43,36 minutos (variação 30-240 minutos). Foram implantadas um total de 150 endopróteses autoexpansíveis em 112 pacientes, sendo 61 (40,66%) de aço inox e 89 (59,33%) de nitinol. O diâmetro e comprimento dos stents de aço inox e de nitinol variaram de 24-45 mm (mediana 33) e 70-130 mm (mediana 90), 22-46 mm (mediana 35) e 40 a 230 mm (mediana 110), respectivamente. O número de endopróteses implantadas por paciente variou de 1 a 4 (mediana 1). Sucesso primário foi observado em 100 (82,14%) dos 112 pacientes tratados. A mortalidade hospitalar ocorreu em sete (6,25%) pacientes, cinco (4,46%) por causas cardiovasculares e dois (1,78%) por causas não cardiovasculares. A mortalidade tardia ocorreu em 31 (27,68%) pacientes, 10 (8,93%) por causas cardiovasculares, 12 (10,71%) por causas não cardiovasculares, dois (1,78%) por causas naturais e sete (6,25%) sem diagnóstico. No período hospitalar, ocorreu endoleak do tipo I em quatro pacientes (3,57%), tipo II em cinco (4,46%) e tipo IV em três (2,68%). Endoleak tardio do tipo I ocorreu em cinco (4,46%) pacientes e do tipo IV em três (2,68%). Vinte e dois pacientes (19,64%) apresentaram complicações clínicas no pós-operatório imediato, incluindo nove (8,03%) complicações pulmonares, quatro (3,57%) alterações neurológicas, três (2,67%) pacientes com insuficiência renal aguda, duas (1,78%) incisões cirúrgicas com infecção, duas (1,78%) síndromes pós-implante e uma (0,89%) laceração do acesso arterial. O tempo de seguimento variou de 1 a 179 meses (mediana 46). A curva atuarial de sobrevivência foi de 79,3% (IC95% 67,0-91,7) aos 132 meses livre de mortalidade por causas cardiovasculares. A análise de regressão logística mostrou que a insuficiência renal foi o único fator de risco para mortalidade que apresentou diferença estatisticamente significante. Conclusões. Os baixos índices de complicações intra e pós-operatórias demonstram que o tratamento é seguro e eficaz. O alto índice de sobrevivência após 132 meses de seguimento para estes pacientes graves mostram os benefícios da técnica endovascular no tratamento das doenças da aorta torácica.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2008. / Härtill 6 uppsatser. Includes bibliographical references.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2008. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

INTRODUÇÃO: Com o avanço da tecnologia, alguns equipamentos vêm sendo incorporados ao ato operatório, dentre eles os robôs, que apesar da notoriedade ainda são considerados controversos. MÉTODO: Trabalho clínico aleatorizado, duplo cego, avaliando a segurança e a eficiência, na cirurgia torácica videoassistida, para o tratamento da hiperidrose palmar/axilar, comparando o grupo \"Hu\" (auxiliar humano) e o grupo \"Ro\" (auxiliar robô), na manipulação da ótica. Foram analisados 38 casos, 19 casos em cada grupo, \"Hu\" e \"Ro\". Todos os procedimentos foram realizados sob anestesia geral, com secção do nervo simpático ao nível T3, T4 e G3. Os procedimentos foram filmados e gravados, sendo que dois observadores independentes avaliaram: número de movimentos inadvertidos, toques em estruturas da cavidade torácica e número de vezes em que a ótica foi retirada para limpeza. Foram avaliados, ainda, os seguintes parâmetros: 1. quanto à segurança - intercorrências cirúrgicas, dor torácica e aspecto da cicatriz; 2. quanto à eficácia - tempos total, cirúrgico e de utilização de ótica, presença de anidrose palmar/axilar, permanência hospitalar, hiperidrose vicariante e satisfação com o resultado do procedimento. RESULTADOS: Os resultados obtidos comparando o grupo \"Hu\" e \"Ro\", quanto à segurança, mostram que não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa nos seguintes parâmetros: intercorrências cirúrgicas, movimentos inadvertidos, dor torácica e aspecto da cicatriz entre os dois grupos. Porém, o número de toques em estruturas na cavidade torácica foi menor no grupo \"Ro\" (p<0,001). Quanto à eficácia, não ocorreu diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos nos seguintes parâmetros: número de vezes em que a ótica foi retirada para limpeza, presença de anidrose palmar/axilar, permanência hospitalar, hiperidrose vicariante e grau de satisfação com o resultado do procedimento. Porém, o grupo \"Hu\" apresentou menor tempos total, de cirurgia e de utilização da ótica (p<0,001), quando comparado ao grupo \"Ro\". CONCLUSÕES: Podemos concluir que o auxílio da robótica no manuseio da ótica, na cirurgia videoassistida para realização de simpatectomia torácica para tratamento da hiperidrose, é seguro e eficiente, quando comparado ao auxílio humano. / INTRODUCTION: With the advance of technology, some pieces of equipment have been incorporated into the surgical act, among which robots, that, in spite of their notoriety, are still considered controversial. METHOD: A randomized double blind clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficiency in video-assisted thoracic surgery for the treatment of palmar/axillary hyperhidrosis, comparing the \"Hu\" (human-assisted) group and the \"Ro\" (robot-assisted) group, in the manipulation of the optics. Thirty-eight cases were analyzed, 19 cases in each group, \"Hu\" and \"Ro\". All the procedures were conducted under general anesthesia, with the ablation of the sympathetic nerve at T3, T4 and G3 levels. The procedures were recorded, in that two independent observers assessed: the number of involuntary movements, contact with structures of the thoracic cavity, and the number of times in which the optics was removed to be cleaned. The following parameters were also assessed: 1. on safety - surgical events, thoracic pain and scar appearance; 2. on efficiency - total times, surgical and optics use, presence of palmar/axillary anhydrosis, hospital stay, vicarious hyperhidrosis and satisfaction with the result of the procedure. RESULTS: The results obtained by comparing the \"Hu\" and \"Ro\" groups on safety show there was no significant statistical difference in the following parameters: surgical events, involuntary movements, thoracic pain and scar appearance between the two groups. However, the number of contacts with structures in the thoracic cavity was less in the \"Ro\" group (p<0.001). On efficiency, there was no significant statistical difference between the two groups in the following parameters: number of times in which the optics was removed to be cleaned, presence of palmar/axillary anhydrosis, hospital stay, vicarious hyperhidrosis, and the level of satisfaction with the result of the procedure. However, the \"Hu\" group presented less total time of surgery and of optics use (p<0.001), when compared to the \"Ro\" group. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that the robot-assisted procedure in handling the optics in video-assisted thoracic sympathectomy for the treatment of hyperhidrosis is safe and efficient when compared to the human-assisted procedure.

No description available.

Occupant thoracic injury incurred during side impact automotive crashes constitutes a significant portion of all fatal and non-fatal automotive injuries. The limited space between the impacting vehicle and occupant can result in significant loads and corresponding injury prior to deceleration of the impacting vehicle. Within the struck vehicle, impact occurs between the occupant and various interior components. Injury is sustained to human structural components such as the thoracic cage or shoulder, and to the internal visceral components such as the heart, lungs, or aorta. Understanding the mechanism behind these injuries is an important step in improving the side impact crash safety of vehicles. This study is focused on the development of a human body numerical model for the purpose of predicting thoracic response and trauma in side impact automotive crash. <br /><br /> The human body model has been created using a previously developed thoracic numerical model, originally used for predicting thoracic trauma under simple impact conditions. The original version of the thorax model incorporated three-dimensional finite element representations of the spine, ribs, heart, lungs, major blood vessels, rib cage surface muscles and upper limbs. The present study began with improvements to the original thorax model and furthered with the development of remaining body components such that the model could be assessed in side impact conditions. <br /><br /> The improvements to the thoracic model included improved geometry and constitutive response of the surface muscles, shoulder and costal cartilage. This detailed thoracic model was complimented with a pelvis, lower limbs, an abdomen and a head to produce the full body model. These components were implemented in a simplified fashion to provide representative response without significant computational costs. The model was developed and evaluated in a stepwise fashion using experimental data from the literature including side abdominal and pelvic pendulum impact tests. <br /><br /> The accuracy of the model response was investigated using experimental testing performed on post mortem human subjects (PMHS) during side and front thoracic pendulum impacts. The model produced good agreement for the side thoracic and side shoulder pendulum impact tests and reasonable correlation during the frontal thoracic pendulum impact test. Complex loading via side sled impact tests was then investigated where the body was loaded unbelted in a NHTSA-type and WSU-type side sled test system. The thorax response was excellent when considering force, compression and injury (viscous criterion) versus time. Compression in the thorax was influenced by the arm position, which when aligned with the coronal plane produced the most aggressive form of compressive loading possible. The simplified components provided good response, falling slightly outside experimental response corridors defined as one standard deviation from the average of the experimental PMHS data. Overall, the predicted model response showed reasonable agreement with the experimental data, while at the same time highlighting areas for future developments. The results from this study suggested that the numerical finite element model developed herein could be used as a powerful tool for improving side impact automotive safety.

Title: Changes of trunk mobility in relation to postural stability Objectives: The main aim of this work was to quantitatively observe segmental trunk mobility in 3D space during flexion of arm and create coupled pattern phenomena of particular spine segments. Additional aim was to verify the effect of modification of the measurements on movement performance and to relate the given movement of the arm and the segmental trunk mobility to changes in the load of the lower extremities. Methods: The measurement itself was performed on 23 asymptomatic males aged 20 - 30. In 3 modifications of the motion measurement - no load, with load and with load and hold with arm forward, probands performed 5 repetitions of right arm flexion in the sagittal plane. The motion was scanned by system Qualisys markers while standing on 2 Kistler stabilometric platforms. Results: In most probands, the segmental movement of the spine was repeatable. It was possible to compare it between probands and create coupled pattern phenomena of the spine. The increased arm load and hold with arm forward caused an increase in the deflections of the particular spine segments in sagittal plane. Furthermore, the increase in load has led to demonstrably greater load changes in the lower extremities. The link between the segmental trunk...

Title: Comparison of Rehabilitation Procedures in the Operative and Conservative Approach to Manage Chest deformity in Children Aim: The aim of this thesis is to determine the efficacy of a conservative approach in the treatment of inverted chest and to compare the effect of therapy with the surgical approach. Methodology of thesis: At the beginning of this project, a total of 9 children and adolescents (n = 9) from 10 years to 21 years of age (mean 15 years), male and female (8: 1) participated. All participants were diagnosed with thoracic deformity of pectus excavatum, which was not indicated for surgery. At the beginning of the project, all probands passed an initial examination, which included an obtaining of anthropometric values using a pelvimeter and a tailor's meter, to assess the anthropometric index and chest circumferences during breathing. Subsequently, a rehabilitation instructions have been given to all participants and all participants have obtained a printed version of these exercises. Results: The results of this study show that in patients with pectus excavatum, the regular and long term exercises, can bring the expected positive results. Especially in subjective complaints, chest flexibility and postural improvement. The final effect of thoracic deformity changes after 3 months...