Pheochromocytoma Multisystem Crisis: A Case Study

Introduction Known as the “great mimic,” pheochromocytoma is rare and difficult to diagnose. When a pheochromocytoma begins to cause end-organ damage, it becomes pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis, an even more rare and deadly diagnosis. Clinical Findings N.R., a 63-year old man, presented to the emergency department 1 day after receiving a cortisone injection for a nondisplaced wrist fracture. His chief concern was a “racing heart and chest pressure.” N.R. was admitted to the telemetry unit after routine electrocardiography showed atrial fibrillation and elevated blood pressure. Symptoms quickly progressed, and N.R. was transferred to the intensive care unit where he received noninvasive positive pressure ventilation. Diagnosis A computed tomography scan revealed a 7-cm right intra-adrenal mass, and an echocardiogram showed a markedly reduced ejection fraction. N.R. received a preliminary diagnosis of pheochromocytoma multisystem crisis, although confirmatory laboratory test results were pending. N.R. became progressively more hemodynamically unstable and his respiratory status worsened, and by the end of hospital day 2 he had been intubated and was receiving multiple vasoactive medications intravenously. On hospital day 7, N.R. was transferred to a facility for definitive surgical intervention. Conclusion This case represents the importance of timely interventions by nursing staff, clear communication between staff on different shifts, and real-time education by physicians to nursing staff. This collaborative milieu empowered nurses to use their experience and critical thinking to make clinical decisions in providing care.

Corticosteroid injection for coccydynia

Aims We aimed to establish the short- and long-term efficacy of corticosteroid injection for coccydynia, and to determine if betamethasone or triamcinolone has the best effect. Methods During 2009 to 2016, we treated 277 patients with chronic coccydynia with either one 6 mg betamethasone or one 20 mg triamcinolone cortisone injection. A susequent injection was given to 62 (26%) of the patients. All were reviewed three to four months after injection, and 241 replied to a questionnaire a mean of 36 months (12 to 88) after the last injection. No pain at the early review was considered early success. When the patient had not been subsequently operated on, and indicated on the questionnaire that they were either well or much better, it was considered a long-term success. Results At the three- to four-month review, 22 (9%) reported that they had no pain. The long-term success of one injection was 15% and rose to 29% after a second injection. Logistic regression tests showed that both early success (odds ratio (OR) 5.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.1 to 14.4; p = 0.001) and late success (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.7 to 8.3; p = 0.001) was greater with triamcinolone than with betamethasone. Late success was greater for patients with symptoms for less than 12 months (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4 to 6.7; p = 0.006). We saw no complications of the injections. Conclusion We conclude that the effect of corticosteroid injection for coccygodynia is moderate, possibly because we used modest doses of the drugs. Even so, they seem worthwhile as they are easily and quickly performed, and complications are rare. If the choice is between injections of betamethasone or triamcinolone, the latter should be selected. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-11:709–714.

Efficacy of platelet rich plasma in comparison to steroid for the management of chronic plantar fasciitis

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Chronic plantar fasciitis is often a difficult to treat entity and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an upcoming modality instead of steroid in chronic cases of plantar fasciitis resistant to traditional non-operative management.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Sixty patients with chronic plantar fasciitis were prospectively randomised into 2 groups and treated with either a single injection of 3 cc PRP or 40 mg DepoMedrol (Cortisone) injection and followed for a year. Immediately prior to PRP or cortisone injection American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) hind foot scoring was done for all patients. These scores were repeated at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Six weeks evaluation of AOFAS after PRP and corticosteroid administration, the mean visual analogue scale (VAS Score) showed a significant increase in corticosteroid group (4.2) as compared to PRP group (5.8). But, the PRP group (1.8) showed significant improvement in mean VAS scores as compared to Steroid group (3.4) after a year of the treatment. Similarly, the AOFAS score improved significantly in the steroid group (64.4) at 6wks as compared to the PRP group (52.2) but at 12 months however, the PRP group sustained its effect with a mean AOFAS score of 92.2 while in the steroid group, the score dropped to a mean of 78.4.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> PRP was more effective than steroid for the long term treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis. Level of Evidence: Level I, prospective randomized comparative series.</p>

A Prospective Study Evaluating Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid (1 ml) for Ankle Osteoarthritis

Category: Ankle Arthritis Introduction/Purpose: Early ankle arthritis can result in disabling symptoms and loss of function. However the degree of arthritis may not be severe enough or the symptoms severe enough to merit a fusion or replacement. For other patients they may wish to delay surgery to avoid financial issues with recovery time. Many of these patients have also been treated with NSAIDs, physiotherapy and bracing with variable effect. Stabilized long chain Hyaluronic acid (NASHA) has been used successfully in the knee, and has given a longer duration of effect compared to steroid injection. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hyaluronic acid in the ankle for sustainable symptom relief. Methods: A power analysis determined that a minimum of 29 patients would be required to appropriately power the study. A total of 37 adult patients with KL grade II and III ankle arthritis were enrolled in the study at a single institution. Patients recruited via a newspaper advertisement and from the surgical clinics and and screened for standard inclusion and exclusion criteria. The VAS pain preoperatively had to be greater than 30 / 100 mm. Outcomes were recorded at baseline, weeks 6, 12 and 26. The injection was performed after the baseline assessment using 1 ml of Hyaluronic acid NASHA (Q-Med AB, Uppsala, Sweden; DUROLANE 10 mg / mL) with or without local anesthetic to the skin. Outcomes included a VAS from the AOS scale for pain and disability, review of adverse events, physical exam, and use of rescue medication. Results: 35 of 37 patients completed the study. At baseline the VAS pain was 7.2 (SD +/-1.8). At 6 weeks the pain score was 5.4 (+/-2.5) improving by 1.8 points with a 26% improvement. At 12 weeks the pain score was 5.3 (+/-2.7) for a 29% improvement. At week 26 the pain score was 5 (+/- 2.7) for a 32% improvement. 4 adverse events were recorded – one patient reported increased pain after injection. One reported pain and swelling, one reported inflammation, and one pain after injection. Conclusion: This prospective cohort study shows promise for the use of Hyaluronic acid for the treatment of ankle arthritis with relief of symptoms up to 26 weeks after injection. The injection was safe for all 37 patients, although one patient reported pain and dropped out of the study. We would support the use of Hyaluronic acid for the treatment for moderate ankle arthritis. An RCT would be merited based on this study to compare results with placebo or cortisone injection.

Deep Friction Massage Versus Steroid Injection in the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of deep friction massage in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis by comparing outcomes with a control group treated with splinting and therapy and with an experimental group receiving a local steroid injection. Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted to compare outcomes after recruitment of consecutive patients presenting with lateral epicondylitis. Patients were randomized to receive one of 3 treatments: group 1: splinting and stretching, group 2: a cortisone injection, or group 3: a lidocaine injection with deep friction massage. Pretreatment and posttreatment parameters of visual analog scale (VAS) pain ratings, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores, and grip strength were measured. Results: Outcomes were measured at early follow-up (6-12 weeks) and at 6-month follow-up. There was a significant improvement in VAS pain score in all treatment groups at early follow-up. DASH score and grip strength improved in the cortisone injection group and the deep friction massage group at early follow-up; these parameters did not improve in the splinting and stretching group. At 6-month follow-up, only patients in the deep friction massage group demonstrated a significant improvement in all outcome measures, including VAS pain score, DASH score, and grip strength. Conclusions: Deep friction massage is an effective treatment for lateral epicondylitis and can be used in patients who have failed other nonoperative treatments, including cortisone injection.