scholarly journals EFFECTIVENESS OF ULTRASOUND-GUIDED CORTICOSTEROID INJECTION AND ALCOHOL NEUROLYSIS IN THE TREATMENT OF MERALGIA PARESTHETICA DURING A 28-MONTH FOLLOW-UP PERIOD: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Author(s):  
Özge Yapıcı ◽  
Meriç Uğurlar

Abstract Objectives Meralgia paresthetica is a very rare sensory mononeuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and compare the results of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection and ultrasound-guided alcohol neurolysis in the treatment of meralgia paresthetica. Methods We performed a retrospective clinical study of 26 patients with a diagnosis of marelgia paresthetica with a duration of ≥10 months. The patients were divided into 2 groups, with the Group 1 receiving ultrasound-guided local corticosteroid injection and Group 2 receiving ultrasound-guided alcohol neurolysis to the entrapment site of the LFCN. Results The mean age of the patients in Group 1 was 42.2 years and in Group 2 was 40.8 years. The mean follow-up period of Group 1 was 28.7 months and Group 2 was 28.4 months. At the end of the follow-up period 9 patients in Group 1 and 10 patients in Group 2 declared full pain relief and improvement in cutaneous sensitivity. Conclusion Once meralgia paresthetica has persisted corticosteroid injection and alcohol neurolysis are both effective methods. Although the recurrence rates are higher in corticosteroid injection, both treatment methods decreased the pain and improved the patients’ satisfaction and long-term curative effect.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Proff ◽  
B Merkely ◽  
R Papp ◽  
C Lenz ◽  
P.J Nordbeck ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The prevalence of chronotropic incompetence (CI) in heart failure (HF) population is high and negatively impacts prognosis. In HF patients with an implanted cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) device and severe CI, the effect of rate adaptive pacing on patient outcomes is unclear. Closed loop stimulation (CLS) based on cardiac impedance measurement may be an optimal method of heart rate adaptation according to metabolic need in HF patients with severe CI. Purpose This is the first study evaluating the effect of CLS on the established prognostic parameters assessed by the cardio-pulmonary exercise (CPX) testing and on quality of life (QoL) of the patients. Methods A randomised, controlled, double-blind and crossover pilot study has been performed in CRT patients with severe CI defined as the inability to achieve 70% of the age-predicted maximum heart rate (APMHR). After baseline assessment, patients were randomised to either DDD-CLS pacing (group 1) or DDD pacing at 40 bpm (group 2) for a 1-month period, followed by crossover for another month. At baseline and at 1- and 2-month follow-ups, a CPX was performed and QoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. The main endpoints were the effect of CLS on ventilatory efficiency (VE) slope (evaluated by an independent CPX expert), the responder rate defined as an improvement (decrease) of the VE slope by at least 5%, percentage of maximal predicted heart rate reserve (HRR) achieved, and QoL. Results Of the 36 patients enrolled in the study, 20 fulfilled the criterion for severe CI and entered the study follow-up (mean age 68.9±7.4 years, 70% men, LVEF=41.8±9.3%, 40%/60% NYHA class II/III). Full baseline and follow-up datasets were obtained in 17 patients. The mean VE slope and HRR at baseline were 34.4±4.4 and 49.6±23.8%, respectively, in group 1 (n=7) and 34.5±12.2 and 54.2±16.1% in group 2 (n=10). After completing the 2-month CPX, the mean difference between DDD-CLS and DDD-40 modes was −2.4±8.3 (group 1) and −1.2±3.5 (group 2) for VE slope, and 17.1±15.5% (group 1) and 8.7±18.8% (group 2) for HRR. Altogether, VE slope improved by −1.8±2.95 (p=0.31) in DDD-CLS versus DDD-40, and HRR improved by 12.9±8.8% (p=0.01). The VE slope decreased by ≥5% in 47% of patients (“responders to CLS”). The mean difference in the QoL between DDD-CLS and DDD-40 was 0.16±0.25 in group 1 and −0.01±0.05 in group 2, resulting in an overall increase by 0.08±0.08 in the DDD-CLS mode (p=0.13). Conclusion First results of the evaluation of the effectiveness of CLS in CRT patients with severe CI revealed that CLS generated an overall positive effect on well-established surrogate parameters for prognosis. About one half of the patients showed CLS response in terms of improved VE slope. In addition, CLS improved quality of life. Further clinical research is needed to identify predictors that can increase the responder rate and to confirm improvement in clinical outcomes. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Private company. Main funding source(s): Biotronik SE & Co. KG


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 473-479
Author(s):  
Jagar Doski ◽  
Berivan Jamal

Background and objective: The accelerated protocol of Ponseti method was suggested to shorten the period of treatment of the conventional one for the cases of talipes equinovarus deformity. This study aimed to compare the accelerated protocol of Ponseti method in the treatment of clubfoot deformity with the conventional one. Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted for infants less than six months with congenital talipes equinovarus deformity. The patients were randomized to either Group 1 (casts changed every week, conventional protocol of Ponseti method) or Group 2 (twice weekly, accelerated one). Pirani score was used to assess the severity of the deformity at presentation, at time of last cast removal, and at the last follow up visit (6th months). Results: The patients included were 48 cases with 79 feet. Group 1 (39 clubfeet) had a mean Pirani score of 5.6 (± 1.15) at presentation, which dropped to 0.47 (± 0.41) when the last cast was removed. In Group 2 (40 clubfeet), it dropped from 5.57 (± 0.83) to 0.77 (± 0.01). The result of each treatment protocol was significant, but the difference between them was not significant. Five cases (three patients aged more than three months) of Group 2 needed eight casts to reach an acceptable position of correction. The difference between the mean number of casts applied in Group 1 (5.09) and Group 2 (5.82) was statistically not significant. However, the difference between the mean number of days spent in the cast was significant. The complications occurred in 12 out of 79 feet, with no statistically significant difference between both groups. Conclusion: The accelerated protocol of Ponseti method for treating clubfoot deformity is as effective and as safe as the conventional one. It shortens the time required to complete the treatment program. Those who present lately (beyond the age of three months) may require an additional number of casts. Keywords: Clubfoot; Congenital talipes equinovarus; Ponseti; Accelerated; Cast.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aylin Karalezli ◽  
Sema Kaderli ◽  
Ahmet Kaderli ◽  
Cansu Kaya ◽  
Sabahattin Sul

Abstract Purpose: To compare the effect of intravitreal ranibizumab (IVR) or intravitreal dexamethasone implants (IVD) on regression of hyperreflective dots (HRDs) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) B-scan in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods: 37 eyes of 37 patients with cystoid macular edema who received IVR or IVD and followed up for at least 12 months were included in this study. The patients were divided into three groups according to intravitreal treatment. Group 1 consisted of 12 eyes who received only IVD, group 2 consisted of 10 eyes who received only IVR on a pro re nata and group 3 consisted of 15 eyes who received both IVD and IVR. OCT parameters (CMT, number of HRDs, status of external limiting membrane (ELM) and ellipsoid zone (EZ)) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared between the groups over the follow-up time. HRDs were categorized as HRD in inner retinal layers (from the internal limiting membrane to the inner nuclear layer) or HRD in outer retinal layers (from the outer plexiform layer to the outer border of the photoreceptor layer).Results: There was no significant difference between groups in terms of BCVA, CMT, HRDs in the inner and the outer retinal layers at baseline visit. (p˃0.05 for all) Comparing the baseline values in all groups, a significant decrease was observed in CMT in the first year. (For group 1; p=0.013, group 2; p=0.010; group 3, p<0.001) The BCVA was significantly increased after 1 year in all groups. (p=0.001, p=0.006, p<0.001) The mean number of HRDs in inner and outer retinal layers were significantly decreased in group 1 and group 3. (For group 1; p<0.001, p=0.001, for group 3; p<0.001, p<0.001) However, there was no significant difference in terms of the mean number of HRDs in inner and outer retinal layers for group 2. (p=0.134, p=0.477) At the first year, the number of HRDs in inner and outer retinal layers was significantly lower in group 1 and group 3 than group 2. (For inner HRDs; group 1 vs. group 2 p=0.007, group 2 vs. group 3 p<0.001. For outer HRDs group 1 vs. group 2 p<0.001, group 2 vs. group 3 p<0.001.) The BCVA was higher in group 3 than group 2 at 1year. (p=0.048). There was no significant difference in terms of post-treatment CMT and the number of HRDs between group 1 and group3 in posthoc tests (p=0.621, p=0.876, and p=0.632).Conclusion: The reduction in HRDs at 12 months and better BCVA after IVD intimates that the HRDs should be considered as inflammatory markers in the follow-up of CME in BRVO. Thus, IVD injection could be more appropriate for patients with higher HRDs after BRVO.


Author(s):  
Claudio Furino ◽  
Alfredo Niro ◽  
Michele Reibaldi ◽  
Maria Oliva Grassi ◽  
Francesco Boscia ◽  
...  

Purpose: Different patterns of diabetic macular edema (DME) suggest different pathogenesis and drug response. We evaluated the outcomes after intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant for DME with or without serous retinal detachment (SRD). Methods: In this retrospective study, 22 naïve patients (23 eyes) with DME who underwent a single DEX implant were evaluated. Based on the optical coherence tomographic pattern of DME, 12 eyes had a cystoid macular edema pattern (Group 1) and 11 eyes had an SRD pattern (Group 2). The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (СRТ), central retinal volume (CRV), SRD height (SRDh), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were recorded before and at two and four months after the treatment. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups regarding demographic, clinical data and outcomes at baseline. In Group 1, the CRT and CRV significantly decreased at two months (P = 0.002 and P = 0.01, respectively), while the BCVA significantly improved at four months (P = 0.03). In Group 2, the CRT and CRV significantly improved (P < 0.01 and P ≤ 0.01, respectively) during the follow-up period. At four months, both groups showed a recurrence of DME, Group 1 in particular (two-month CRT reduction, –149 ± 127 μm vs four-month CRT reduction, –72 ± 174 μm; P = 0.04). The mean reduction in CRV was significantly different at four months (Group 1, –0.49 ± 1.7 mm3 vs Group 2, –1.3 ± 1.3 mm3; P = 0.04). In Group 2, the SRDh significantly decreased at two (P = 0.01) and four months (P = 0.01). Four cases with elevated IOP were managed. Conclusion: DEX implants were found to be effective in different patterns of DME. The SRD pattern may predict a longer-lasting morphologic efficacy.


2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110469
Author(s):  
Benjamin R. Saks ◽  
Vivian W. Ouyang ◽  
Elijah S. Domb ◽  
Andrew E. Jimenez ◽  
David R. Maldonado ◽  
...  

Background: Access to quality health care and treatment outcomes can be affected by patients’ socioeconomic status (SES). Purpose: To evaluate the effect of patient SES on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after arthroscopic hip surgery. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Demographic, radiographic, and intraoperative data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed on all patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) and labral tear between February 2008 and September 2017 at one institution. Patients were divided into 4 cohorts based on the Social Deprivation Index (SDI) of their zip code. SDI is a composite measure that quantifies the level of disadvantage in certain geographical areas. Patients had a minimum 2-year follow-up for the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Nonarthritic Hip Score (NAHS), International Hip Outcome Tool—12, and visual analog scale (VAS) for both pain and satisfaction. Rates of achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) and patient acceptable symptom state (PASS) were calculated for the mHHS, NAHS, and VAS pain score. Rates of secondary surgery were also recorded. Results: A total of 680 hips (616 patients) were included. The mean follow-up time for the entire cohort was 30.25 months. Division of the cohort into quartiles based on the SDI national averages yielded 254 hips (37.4%) in group 1, 184 (27.1%) in group 2, 148 (21.8%) in group 3, and 94 (13.8%) in group 4. Group 1 contained the most affluent patients. There were significantly more men in group 4 than in group 2, and the mean body mass index was greater in group 4 than in groups 1 and 2. There were no differences in preoperative radiographic measurements, intraoperative findings, or rates of concomitant procedures performed. All preoperative and postoperative PROMs were similar between the groups, as well as in the rates of achieving the MCID or PASS. No differences in the rate of secondary surgeries were reported. Conclusion: Regardless of SES, patients were able to achieve significant improvements in several PROMs after hip arthroscopy for FAIS and labral tear at the minimum 2-year follow-up. Additionally, patients from all SES groups achieved clinically meaningful improvement at similar rates.


Author(s):  
A.P. Voznyuk ◽  
◽  
S.I. Anisimov ◽  
S.Y. Anisimova ◽  
L.L. Arutyunyan ◽  
...  

Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of femtolaser-assisted phacoemulsification in glaucomatous eyes in the long-term follow-up. Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of the results of the surgical treatment of patients with combined cataract and glaucoma pathology was analyzed. The patients were divided into groups depending on the method of surgical intervention: 1) phacoemulsification with femtolaser support (26 eyes, 23 patients); 2) phacoemulsification (36 eyes, 30 patients); Results. Before surgery, there were no statistically significant differences in IOP and corneal hysteresis (СН) between groups 1 and 2. The mean values of IOP cc, IOP g and СН of group 1 before surgery were 22.7±6.1 mm Hg, 20.9±6.9 mm Hg, 8.5±1.6 mm Hg; 2 group – 22.9±8.7 mm Hg, 21.6±8.9 mm Hg, 8.9±1.6 mm Hg respectively. Average values of IOP cc, IOP g and CН 5 years after the surgical treatment in group 1 were 15.3±1.2 mm Hg, 14.4±3.4 mm Hg, 9.6±4.2 mm Hg; in group 2 – 18.0±4.2 mm Hg, 16.1±4.2 mm Hg, 8.8±2.2 mm Hg respectively. In both groups, stabilization of IOP and CH indices was noted, which remained throughout the entire observation period, which shows the normalization of the biomechanical properties of the corneoscleral membrane of the eye in the long-term postoperative period. Conclusion. Femtolaser accompaniment of phacoemulsification is an effective and safe method of cataract surgery for combined pathology. Key words: femtolaser, cataract, glaucoma, phacoemulsification.


2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leopoldo Spadea ◽  
Massimo Saviano ◽  
Angela Di Gregorio ◽  
Domenico Di Lodovico ◽  
Fabio De Sanctis

Purpose To evaluate in a long-term period the effectiveness and safety of topographically guided two-step laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and standard LASIK technique in the correction of refractive errors after successful penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) for keratoconus. Methods At least 2 years after PKP and 6 months after removal of all sutures, 15 eyes of 15 patients (Group 1; mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) −7.23 D ± 3.42 SD) were submitted to standard LASIK and 15 eyes of 15 patients (Group 2; mean MRSE −4.37 D ± 1.97 SD) to a topographically guided two-step LASIK procedure (first the flap and at least 2 weeks later the laser ablation). In all cases, a superior hinged corneal flap (160 μm/9.5 mm) was created. Results After a follow-up of 36 months, in Group 1 the mean uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 0.51 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) ± 0.41 SD and the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.03 logMAR ± 0.05 SD, with a mean MRSE of −1.57 D ± 2.65 SD. In Group 2, the mean UCVA was 0.28 logMAR ± 0.24 SD and the mean BCVA was 0.01 logMAR ± 0.03 SD, with a mean MRSE of −0.07 D ± 1.00 SD. In both groups, no complications were observed. Conclusions After a long follow-up period, both topographically guided two-step LASIK and standard LASIK could be considered effective and safe tools in the correction of refractive errors after successful PKP for keratoconus.


2013 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. CMC.S12654 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Meikle ◽  
A. Al-Sarraf ◽  
M. Li ◽  
K. Grierson ◽  
J. Frohlich

Objective To assess the effects of exercise on resting heart rate (RHR), weight, lipid profile, and blood pressure. We hypothesized that the participants who increased their physical activity would show improvement in their cardiovascular risk factors compared to those who did not. Design Retrospective chart review over the mean duration of 4.9 years of follow-up. Setting Healthy Heart Program Prevention Clinic at St. Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Participants We reviewed 300 charts of patients randomly selected from those who attended the Prevention Clinic between 1984 and 2009. 248 (82.7%) patients were referred for primary prevention and 52 (17.3%) for secondary prevention. Primary and secondary outcome measures Weight, RHR, lipid profile, and blood pressure were recorded at the initial and last visit. Results During a mean of 4.9 years of follow-up, 55% of participants improved their exercise. The mean decrease in the RHR for these patients (group 1) was 5.9 beats per minute (bpm) versus the mean increase of 0.3 bpm for the “no change” group (group 2) ( P < 0.01). The mean net weight increase in group 1 was 0.06 kg/year versus 0.25 kg/year in group 2. Because of medications, all patients had a significant improvement in their lipid profiles. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant greater reduction in Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in group 1 versus group 2 (11.8% versus 15.1%, P < 0.01). Conclusion Participation in the program significantly reduces modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Improved exercise regimen results in lower RHR and greater reduction in FRS. However, even in a Prevention Program, despite strong advocacy of the importance of exercise, a significant percentage of participants does not improve their exercise habits.


Author(s):  
Abdel Rahman Ragab ◽  
Sherif Hegab ◽  
Rehab Elnemr ◽  
Amr Abdel-Kerim

Abstract Background Chronic knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a frequent disease among the elderly. Intra-articular corticosteroid injection (IACSI) was commonly adopted to alleviate knee OA-related pains. Recently, Genicular nerve block (GNB) has emerged as a new alternative technique. The current study aimed to investigate the efficacy of those two approaches when guided with ultrasound and to determine which one offers better results. This study included 40 patients with painful chronic knee OA (Nine males and 31 females, age ranged from 44 to 65 years) and were randomly assigned to two equal groups. Groups 1 was managed with ultrasound-guided IACSI and group 2 with ultrasound-guided GNB using a mixture of lidocaine and Triamcinolone Acetonide. The baseline mean visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oxford knee score (OKS) for the group 1 were 87.10 and 51.3, while for group 2 were 87.75 and 53.25 respectively. Follow up values were obtained at 2, 4 and 8 weeks using VAS and OKS. Results The VAS score and OKS score were significantly lower in the GNB group and IACSI group at 2, and 4 weeks after the procedure (p < 0.001 for all), then returned near baseline values at 8 weeks. When the two groups were compared according to changes in VAS and OKS from baseline at 2, 4, and 8 weeks, GNB group showed significant alleviation of pain (mean reduction of 58.5, 53.3, and 9.25 points at 2, 4, and 8 weeks versus 44.9, 39.4, and 5.6 points at the IACSI groups, p < 0.001 at 2 and 4 weeks, p < 0.006 at 8 weeks). Similarly at the OKS, the GNB group showed significantly better results (33.50, 28.60, and 8.5 at GNB and 26.45, 20.10, 5.25 at IACSI. p < 0.001 at all periods). Conclusions Both GNB and IACSI are effective methods to relieve chronic knee osteoarthritis-related pains. When compared to each other, GNB showed more significant pain relief and functional improvement than IACSI.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-38
Author(s):  
Rajeev Raj Manandhar ◽  
Krishna Raj Khanal ◽  
Himal Khanal ◽  
Saroj Gautam

Background: The pain and limitation of shoulder function can disrupt daily activities of patients for months to years. Adhesive capsulitis is considered a self-limiting disease but the duration remains uncertain. The brunt of the disease is focussed on the inflamed joint capsule. On this basis, use of corticosteroid injection is justified. However, injection method is not conclusive. Objectives: To compare clinical benefits of intra-articular injection alone versus combined intra-articular and subacromial injections in management of adhesive capsulitis. Methods: Fifty-nine patients with diagnostic criteria for adhesive capsulitis were included in the study from March 2019 to September 2020. Patients were divided into two groups; patients who underwent intra-articular (IA) injection alone (Group 1) and those who received both intra-articular and sub-acromial (IA+SA) injection (Group 2). The injections were landmark guided. Patients were followed up at three, six, and 12 weeks. Pain was recorded using visual analogue scale (VAS) and subjective function using Constant-Murley score. Results: Twenty-eight patients were included in Group 1 (IA) and 31 in Group 2 (IA+SA). Thirty-six patients were female (18 each in Group 1 and Group 2) and 23 patients were male (Group 1 = 13; Group 2 = 10). In the twelfth week, VAS score was reduced in both the groups. On comparing the mean value of Constant-Murley score between the two groups there is significant difference in value recorded at the sixth and twelfth week. Conclusion: The IA+SA injection provides significant reduction in pain and better function in the short term over the IA injection.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document