Brain topology turning points over the human lifespan

Stimulated by Mousley et al 2025.[1] IF – impact factorMR – magnetic resonanceDTI – diffusion tensor imaging3D – three dimensional2D – two dimensionalGMV – grey matter volumeWMV – white matter volumeTCV – total cerebral volume – key to acronyms I heard a news item on this research on BBC Radio 4 at the beginning of … Continue reading Brain topology turning points over the human lifespan

Post-acupuncture ACSEH

Stimulated by Wang et al 2025.[1] Photo by Gildo Cancelli on Pexels.com ACSEH – acute cervical spinal epidural haematomapaACSEH – post-acupuncture ACSEHSEH – spinal epidural haematomaIF – impact factorrTPA – recombinant tissue plasminogen activator – key to acronyms I thought this was going to be another first for the blog – a paACSEH mimicking a … Continue reading Post-acupuncture ACSEH

Acupuncture AEs 2024

Inspired by a variety of recent case reports. AI generated image. AEs – adverse eventsPDP – personal development planCXR – chest x ray filmSPs – spinous processesBP – blood pressuremmHg – millimetres of mercury (units of fluid pressure)HR – heart ratebpm – beats per minuteTHA – total hip arthroplastyIBD – inflammatory bowel diseaseESI – epidural … Continue reading Acupuncture AEs 2024

Acupuncture for CAD 2024

Inspired by Huang et al 2024.[1] Figure 1 from Ihle-Hansen et al 2023.[2]Calculation of carotid plaque score. CAD – carotid atherosclerotic diseaseUS – ultrasoundSCM – sternocleidomastoid (muscle)cIMT – carotid intima-media thicknessPS – plaque score (based on plaque thickness)PV – plaque volume (3D measure)GSM – grey-scale median (3D measure of fibrosis and hence plaque stability)PWV – … Continue reading Acupuncture for CAD 2024

Fatal ISCA attributed to acupuncture

Stimulated by Lui et al 2024.[1] Figure 1B from Lui et al 2024.[1] ISCA – intramedullary spinal cord abscessIF – impact factorhvKp – hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniaeGLASS-EAR – Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Surveillance System on Emerging Antimicrobial Resistance ReportingST – sequence typeGI – gastrointestinal – key to acronyms This is an adverse event report from Chengdu … Continue reading Fatal ISCA attributed to acupuncture

Acupuncture for SCD 2024

Stimulated by Wang et al 2024.[1] SCD – subjective cognitive declineIF – impact factorSCDQ – subjective cognitive decline questionnaireMMSE – mini mental state examinationMCI – mild cognitive impairmentAD – Alzheimer’s diseaseEA – electroacupunctureAVLT – auditory verbal learning testTMT – trail making testAFT – animal fluency testBNT – Boston naming testSCWT – Stroop colour word testDSST … Continue reading Acupuncture for SCD 2024

EA for tinnitus 2024

Stimulated by Zha et al 2024.[1] Photo by Kathryn Archibald on Pexels.com EA – electroacupunctureENT – ears nose and throat (refers to a medical specialty)TrP – trigger pointNMDA – N-methyl-D-aspartate (glutamate receptor)TS – subjective tinnitusTHI – tinnitus handicap inventoryrs-fMRI – resting state functional magnetic resonance imagingFC – functional connectivityINS – insula Treatment of tinnitus with … Continue reading EA for tinnitus 2024

Post cholecystectomy pain

Stimulated by Lee et al 2023.[1] Photo by Jonny Goerend on Unsplash, with the cover of SJPAIN superimposed in the bottom right. PCP – post cholecystectomy painCABG – coronary artery bypass graftAMPS – abdominal myofascial pain syndromeTPI – trigger point injectionPRF – pulsed radiofrequencyUS – ultrasoundLA – local anaestheticNRS – numerical rating scaleEA – electroacupuncture … Continue reading Post cholecystectomy pain