Correlation Between Hump Dimensions and Curve Severity in Idiopathic Scoliosis Before and After Conservative Treatment

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is accompanied by inflammation and angiogenesis. Modifying angiogenesis through transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) can be a potential treatment for knee OA. OBJECTIVE: We subjected five OA knees in three patients to TAE and report the results of our post-treatment observations. CASE DESCRIPTION: Three patients that had experienced knee pain for a minimum of one year prior to the study, and whose pain had persisted despite conservative treatment, were included in this study. Patients more often chose conservative treatment over surgical treatment. Pain and functional scales were evaluated before, immediately, and 1 month after TAE using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). TAE was performed by an experienced interventional radiologist. The average values of NRS evaluated before and after 5 TAEs were 5.2 before TAE, 3 immediately after TAE, and 3.6 after 1 month of TAE, and the average values of WOMAC were 52, 38.4, and 36.4, respectively. There were no major adverse effects. CONCLUSION: The examined cases support the conclusion that TAE is an effective treatment for patients with knee OA. Substantial pain relief and WOMAC improvement were observed both immediately and one month after TAE.

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Effectiveness of Posture Correction Girdle as Conservative Treatment for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: a Preliminary Study

Orthopedic Research Online Journal ◽

10.31031/oproj.2018.01.000524 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Joanne Yip

Keyword(s):

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis ◽

Conservative Treatment ◽

Idiopathic Scoliosis ◽

Preliminary Study

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A Pilot Placebo Controlled Randomized Trial of Dexamethasone for Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques ◽

10.1017/cjn.2015.393 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 284-290 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Michel Prud’homme ◽

François Mathieu ◽

Nicolas Marcotte ◽

Sylvine Cottin

Keyword(s):

Conservative Treatment ◽

Adverse Events ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Chronic Subdural Hematoma ◽

Symptomatic Patient ◽

Placebo Treatment ◽

Small Sample ◽

Chi Square ◽

Serious Adverse Events ◽

Before And After

AbstractBackground: Current opinions regarding the use of dexamethasone in the treatment of chronic subdural hematomas (CSDH) are only based on observational studies. Moreover, the use of corticosteroids in asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic patient with this condition remains controversial. Here, we present data from a prospective randomized pilot study of CSDH patients treated with dexamethasone or placebo. Methods: Twenty patients with imaging-confirmed CSDH were recruited from a single center and randomized to receive dexamethasone (12 mg/day for 3 weeks followed by tapering) or placebo as a conservative treatment. Patients were followed for 6 months and the rate of success of conservative treatment with dexamethasone versus placebo was measured. Parameters such as hematoma thickness and clinical changes were also compared before and after treatment with chi-square tests. Adverse events and complications were documented. Results: During the 6-month follow-up, one of ten patients treated with corticosteroids had to undergo surgical drainage and three of ten patients were treated surgically after placebo treatment. At the end of the study, all remaining patients had complete radiological resolution. No significant differences were observed in terms of hematoma thickness profile and impression of change; however, patients experienced more severe side effects when treated with steroids as compared with placebo. Dexamethasone contributed to many serious adverse events. Conclusions: Given the small sample size, these preliminary results have not shown a clear beneficial effect of dexamethasone against placebo in our patients. However, the number of secondary effects reported was much greater for corticosteroids, and dexamethasone treatment was responsible for significant complications.

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