Intradiscal oxygen-ozone therapy for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation: A preliminary study.

PURPOSE: To assess safety and effectiveness of computed tomography (CT)-guided intradiscal oxygen-ozone therapy (O2-O3 therapy) for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation and radiological changes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in twenty patients presenting lumbar disc herniation with resistant lumbar or lumbar radicular pain They underwent intradiscal oxygen-ozone therapy under CT guidance. They were treated at one- or two-disc levels, representing a total of 24 discs treated. MR imaging examinations were obtained before treatment and 2 months post-procedure to analyse treatment-related disc modifications including modification of the surfaces of the disc and of the herniated disc, and the variations in disc height according to the disc height index. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) to evaluate the severity of pain before the procedure, at primary (2 months) and at secondary (12 months) follow-ups. RESULTS: All the procedures were technically successful. The median VAS scores were 7.95 before the procedure, 3.9 at 2 months and 2.95 at 12 months. MRI analysis showed a significant decrease in herniation size at 2 months (-20%, p = 0.008). No immediate or late complications were observed. Only three patients (13.6%) underwent lumbar spine microdiscectomy in the year following ozone therapy. The treatment appeared to be more effective in cases of nerve root symptomatology. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that intradiscal O2-O3 therapy is safe and effective for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation associated with resistant lumbar or lumbar radicular pain.

DRESS syndrome with thrombotic microangiopathy revealing a Noonan syndrome: Case report.

RATIONALE: The life-threatening drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome occurs most commonly after exposure to drugs, clinical features mimic those found with other serious systemic disorders. It is rarely associated with thrombotic microangiopathy. PATIENT CONCERNS: We describe the unique case of a 44-year-old man who simultaneously experienced DRESS syndrome with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) after a 5 days treatment with fluindione. DIAGNOSES: Clinical evaluation leads to the discovery of an underlying lymphangiomatosis, due to a Noonan syndrome. INTERVETIONS: The anticoagulant was withdrawn, and corticosteroids (1 mg/kg/day) and acenocoumarol were started. OUTCOMES: Clinical improvement ensued. At follow-up the patient is well. LESSONS: The association of DRESS with TMA is a rare condition; we believe that the presence of the underlying Noonan syndrome could have been the trigger. Moreover, we speculate about the potential interrelations between these entities.