Effect of Pulsed and Continuous Ultrasound Therapy on the Degree of Collateral Axonal Branching at the Lesion Site, Polyinnervation of Motor End Plates, and Recovery of Motor Function after Facial Nerve Reconstruction

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to test whether ultrasound therapy of muscles denervated by nerve injury would improve the quality of their reinnervation by reduction of the collateral axonal branching at the lesion site and poly-innervation degree at the neuromuscular junctions. After transection and suture of the buccal branch of the facial nerve, pulsed or continuous type of ultrasound therapy was applied to the paralyzed whisker pad muscles of rats in the course of 2 months. Instead of reduction, we found a significant increase in the collateral axonal branching after continuous ultrasound therapy when compared to the branching determined after pulsed or sham ultrasound therapy. Both types of ultrasound therapy also failed to reduce the proportion of polyinnervated end plates in the reinnervated facial muscles. Accordingly, continuous ultrasound therapy failed to restore any parameter of the motor performance of the vibrissal hairs. Application of pulsed ultrasound therapy promoted slight improvements of the functional parameters angular velocity and acceleration. The inhomogeneous structural and functional results achieved after both types of ultrasound therapy let us conclude that further studies are required to evaluate its effects on peripheral nerve regeneration.

Inhalation Therapy with Nebulized Capsaicin in a Patient with Oropharyngeal Dysphagia Post Stroke: A Clinical Case Report

“…SLT treatment was delivered in daily sessions (Monday through Friday, 30–45 min per session) during the patient’s entire rehabilitation stay. Drooling and facial weakness were treated with manually facilitated active movements (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation [ 39 ]) and ultrasound therapy [ 40 ].…”

Innervation of Facial Muscles Using an Allogeneic Biomaterial in an Experiment

“…It is known that the problem of damaged peripheral nerves regeneration is one of the leading in traumatology and neurosurgery [1,2]. On this basis studying of nervous control recovery patterns in injured muscles under different condition has significant theoretical and practical value [3][4][5][6][7]. This knowledge allows improving scientific understanding of neuroplasticity and recognizing factors necessary for successful management of damaged peripheral nerves recovery processes.…”

Introduction: Thematic Papers Issue on “Advances in Our Understanding of the Morphological Response to Injury in the Peripheral Nervous System”

“…The next contribution by Umut Özsoy and colleagues (Ozsoy et al, , this issue) concludes the discussion of repair strategies in response to axotomy with a detailed report on the effects of pulsed and continuous ultrasound therapy on the degree of collateral axonal branching at the lesion site. In this article, the influence of this novel therapeutic approach on polyinnervation of motor endplates and recovery of motor function is discussed.…”