Synthetic ACTH for Treatment of Glomerular Diseases: A Case Series

Rationale: Synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (Tetracosactide) has been used in the treatment of refractory glomerular diseases. Literature surrounding the use of this medication is limited to small case series and there is conflicting data on the rate of adverse events associated with this medication. Presenting concerns of the patient: Glomerulonephritis not in remission after at least 6 months of treatment with conservative care. Stable doses of concurrent immunosuppression were permitted. Diagnoses: Membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, minimal change disease, and focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. Intervention: Intramuscular synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone (Tetracosactide, Synacthen Depot) with doses of either 1 mg weekly or 1 mg twice weekly. Outcomes: Five of 12 patients had at least a partial remission with Tetracosactide. Median time to response was 6 months for responders. Five of the 12 patients had adverse events documented, 2 of which led to treatment discontinuation. No patients with focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis responded to treatment. Lessons Learned: Higher rate of adverse events than previously reported with synthetic adrenocorticotropic hormone and uncertain treatment efficacy.

Soft tissue necrosis after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer

A 60-year-old man with cT2N0M0 hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma received definitive chemoradiotherapy. FDG PETCT at 4 weeks showed complete metabolic response at primary site (Figure 1). At 6 months, contrasted CT showed no evidence of disease with soft tissue air indicating radiation necrosis and ulceration (Figure 2). The patient had symptom of dysphagia. Laryngoscopy and esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed inflammation without other severe findings. He had conservative care as a treatment option. At 12 months, contrasted CT showed improved nonenhancing ulceration without disease progression (Figure 3).

Post colonoscopy colonic perforation with parietal abscess: a rare case report

Colonoscopy is a common method of diagnosing colon and rectum illnesses. Complications from colonoscopy are rare. However, perforation is one of the most common problems observed. The incidence is 0.005-0.085 percent. Extraperitoneal and mixed postcolonoscopy colonic perforations are classified as intraperitoneal, extraperitoneal and both combined. Extraperitoneal perforation is rare and frequently accompanied with subcutaneous emphysema and retroperitoneal abscess. Contrast CT scan is the most effective diagnostic and therapy tool. A parietal abscess after colonoscopy is quite rare. Only one incidence of post-colonoscopy retroperitoneal colonic perforation with parietal abscess has been reported. An unusual case of colonic perforation after diagnostic colonoscopy was presented with a parietal abscess on the left iliac area. The patient, a 63-year-old diabetic male, had a diagnostic colonoscopy for intestinal irregularity. Afternoon severe ache over left iliac region brought patient to doctor. Nothing notable was discovered. So, they prescribed symptomatic drugs. Symptomatic medications were prescribed but without any relief. An abdominal contrast CT was recommended to him by his doctor after a few days. This retro muscular accumulation in the left transverses abdominis muscle communicated with the sigmoid colon. No signs of peritonitis or septicemia. Patient was stable. The aspirated fluid was sent for culture and sensitivity testing, and intravenous hydration and antibiotics were commenced. Patient tolerated conservative care. The subject was discharged in 2 weeks. Diagnosis and treatment of perforation are critical to recovery.

Treatment of the hidden penis in boys

Introduction. “Hidden penis” (HP) is a developmental malformation of the penis characterized by normally developed, but abnormally located cavernous bodies in the surrounding tissues of the symphysis or scrotum, manifested by the visually shortened penis trunk. The most common type is «buried» penis (BP). This pathology requires, as a rule, surgical treatment.Purpose. To assess outcomes of BP treatment with an improved surgical technique.Material and methods. 40 boys, aged from 2 to 16 (average age 9 ± 1.59) and diagnosed with HP, were treated in 2014-2019. BP was diagnosed in 35 children (87.5%), webbed penis (WP) – in five (12.5%). Primary BP was in 18 children (51.4%) and BP in combination with the suprapubic obesity - in 17 patients (48.6%). Two children (5%) were operated after the previous circumcision. Indications for surgery were: congenital primary HP, secondary HP in adolescents with insufficient visualization of the penis, psychological discomfort of the patient and the absence of significant clinical effects after conservative care. The average age of children with primary HP was 3.9 ± 2.48; with secondary HP and pubic obesity - 12 ± 3.84 years. During surgery, circular or circular and ventral midline incisions to the middle of the scrotum were used; they were followed by mobilization of the penis from adhesions, excision of adipose tissue in the bosom, fixation of the pubopenile and penoscrotal angles with a non-absorbable surgical thread. The authors have proposed a new technique for foreskin fixation using 2 ventral and 2 dorsal incisions, through which the skin was sutured to the deep fascia of the penis to prevent its distal slipping.Results. All patients had good anatomical and functional results. The authors describe the developed surgical technique in details; they also make literature review on the discussed problem.Conclusion. In the treatment of HP an improved surgical technique with the additional use of incisions allows you to reliably fix the skin of the foreskin on the trunk of the penis, avoiding its distal displacement.

Perceptions, beliefs, and needs of Japanese people with knee osteoarthritis during conservative care: a qualitative study

Background Patients’ perceptions and beliefs of disease could be influenced by their lifestyle and culture. Although it is important to understand their perceptions and beliefs toward disease to prevent and manage osteoarthritis (OA) through conservative care, this topic has not been investigated in Japanese people with knee OA. Therefore, this qualitative study aims to clarify how Japanese patients with knee OA experience and perceive their symptoms and disabilities, and how they face them during conservative care. Methods Participants were recruited by purposive sampling. Face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine patients (2 men and 7 women; mean age, 74.3 ± 5.5 years) with knee OA until data saturation was reached. Interview data comprised participants’ accounts of particular personal experiences of living with knee OA, including their perceptions and attitudes toward knee OA-related symptoms and disabilities. Two physiotherapists (one with extensive experience conducting qualitative studies) and four physiotherapy students conducted the interviews. Recorded interview data were transcribed verbatim in Japanese. Data analysis, including developing a coding scheme, was conducted based on a grounded theory approach. Results Two core categories were extracted from the data: ‘Negative experiences’ and ‘Coping with difficulties’. ‘Negative experiences’ included three main categories: ‘Self-analysis on the cause of knee OA’, ‘Difficulties in daily life due to knee symptoms’, and ‘Psychological barrier’. ‘Coping with difficulties’ included three main categories: ‘How to deal with knee pain and difficulty in moving’, ‘Information considered useful to cope with knee OA’ and ‘Importance of connecting with others’. Japanese patients with knee OA desired evidence-based information and to connect with other people in the same situation to solve problems related to their condition. Conclusions To address patients’ concerns, medical professionals should conduct careful interviews and obtain information regarding patients’ past experiences, and understand their experiences related to knee OA. Symptoms and difficulties experienced by patients with knee OA should be managed by evidence-based information integrating their perceptions and beliefs toward knee OA.

The influence of a cognitive behavioural approach on changing patient expectations for conservative care in shoulder pain treatment: a protocol for a pragmatic randomized controlled trial

Background Despite similar outcomes for surgery and conservative care, the number of surgeries to treat rotator cuff related shoulder pain has increased. Interventions designed to enhance treatment expectations for conservative care have been shown to improve patient expectations, but no studies have yet explored whether such interventions influence patient decisions to pursue surgery. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to examine the effect of an intervention designed to improve expectations of conservative care on the decision to have surgery. Methods We will test the effectiveness of the Patient Engagement, Education, and Restructuring of Cognitions (PEERC) intervention which is intended to change expectations regarding conservative care. The PEERC intervention will be evaluated in a randomized, pragmatic “add-on” trial, to better understand the effect the intervention has on outcomes. Ninety-four (94) participants with rotator cuff related shoulder pain referred for physical therapy will be randomized to receive either impairment-based care or impairment-based care plus PEERC. Both groups will receive impairment-based conservative treatment created by compiling the evidence associated with established, effective interventions. Participants assigned to the impairment-based care plus PEERC condition will also receive the PEERC intervention. This intervention, informed by principles of cognitive behavioral therapy, involves three components: (1) strategies to enhance engagement, (2) education and (3) cognitive restructuring and behavioral activation. Outcomes will be assessed at multiple points between enrolment and six months after discharge. The primary outcome is patient reported decision to have surgery and the secondary outcomes are pain, function, expectations and satisfaction with conservative care. Discussion Rotator cuff related shoulder pain is highly prevalent, and because conservative and surgical treatments have similar outcomes, an intervention that changes expectations about conservative care could alter patient reports of their decision to have surgery and ultimately could lead to lower healthcare costs and decreased risk of surgical complications. Trial registration This study is registered as NCT03353272 at ClincialTrials.gov.

Carpal Tunnel Treatment Options: Developing Consolidated Guidelines for Best Practice—A Meta-Synthesis

Date Presented Accepted for AOTA INSPIRE 2021 but unable to be presented due to online event limitations. OTs have a major role in the conservative care of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) before surgery; however, best treatment practices are unclear as a result of conflicting recommendations among professional disciplines. We collected and analyzed professional guideline recommendations to construct a consolidated guideline with clear ratings for the available treatments. This guideline will inform treatment procedures and develop more universal best practices for remedying CTS. Primary Author and Speaker: Julianna E. Dole Contributing Authors: Nancy Baker, Shawn C. Roll

Sciatica: Treatment with a Blend of Maitland Mobilization, McKenzie Exercises along with NMES - A Case Study

Sciatica is referred to radiculopathy involving any of the lower extremity, caused by either inflammation or compression of the nerve roots L1-S1. It can be diagnosed majorly through an appropriate history taking and physical examinations to not be misdiagnosed with other chronic low back pain conditions. A conservative management is preferred when in an acute stage of 6-8 weeks after which a surgical approached is advised. Although various studies has shown evidences that a prolonged conservative care is most fitting than a short term surgical approach (discectomy). The prevalence of sciatic symptoms ranging from 1.6% to 43%, maximum noted in the working population, has drawn attention for the need of an effective and early conservative care to downsize the symptoms causing discomfort and pain. Thus, the aim of the case report was to present with an early and effective conservative care with a blend of Maitland Mobilization, McKenzie exercises along with Neuro-Muscular Electrical Stimulation (Interferential Current) to minimize the discomfort thus easing and bolstering the individual in activities of daily living followed by an uncomplicated returning back to recreational activities. The patient was managed with a blend of Maitland Mobilization, McKenzie exercises and Interferential current for 7 days consecutively along with an individually tailored Home exercise program according the patient tolerance. Outcomes measures namely numerical pain rating scale, lower extremity functional scale and Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire were evaluated before and after the 7 day intervention period to assess prognosis in pain and pain related disability. Thus the changes in pre and post intervention results stated positive outcomes in reducing pain and improving the functional activity and participation in social and recreational ventures. Keywords: Sciatica, Maitland Mobilization, Mckenzie exercise, Interferential Therapy, radicular pain.