A novel radiofrequency thermocoagulation method for treatment of lower back pain: thermal conduction after instillation of saline solution into the nucleus pulposus--preliminary results.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency heating of the intervertebral disc has been proposed for the treatment of chronic low back pain using two methods: a flexible needle inserted into the annulus fibrosus achieving a full 360 degrees penetration, or a rigid needle inserted into the nucleus pulposus. The first technique is effective on pain, but the clinical benefit of the second is uncertain. PURPOSE: To evaluate a technique for radiofrequency heating of the lumbar intervertebral disc by a needle placed into the nucleus pulposus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The method was tested in 17 patients according to the criteria used in previous intradiscal radiofrequency studies. Before and after treatment, disability was assessed by the Oswestry disability score. A pain reduction of at least 50% was considered a success. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were responders at 1 month (88%), nine at 3 months (53%), and 12 at 6 months (70.6%). No complications were observed. CONCLUSION: A new method of providing discal radiofrequency treatment for lower back pain had a substantial clinical benefit in 71% of the observed patients. A prospective study comparing this new method with placebo should be conducted to confirm these initial results.

Bone density, parathyroid hormone, calcium and vitamin D nutritional status of institutionalized elderly subjects.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is characterized by a decrease in bone mass and a change in bone microarchitecture. This causes skeletal fragility and may result in fractures. Fractures of the femur neck (FM) are frequent and have major consequences in terms of morbidity and mortality in elderly subjects. We carried out a cross-sectional study to evaluate bone and nutritional status in an elderly population from a same geriatrics department. AIMS OF THE STUDY: We aimed to screen for nutritional deficiencies and to measure bone mineral density (BMD) in the femur neck by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). RESULTS: The study included 64 white Caucasian subjects, 44 of whom were women. The mean age of the subjects was 80.6 +/- 7.1 years. The mean time since the menopause was 31.45 +/- 7.8 years and 31 subjects presented previous fractures, 12 of which concerned the FM. Mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.8 +/- 4.4 and mean calcium intake was 670 +/- 258.3 mg/d. Mean PTH level was 48.5 +/- 30.34. Thirty-five subjects presented vitamin D deficiencies (mean concentration 8.56 +/- 5.2 microg/L), and 11 of these patients had associated secondary hyperparathyroidism. Fifty-four subjects had osteoporosis (T score <-2.5 standard deviation). Mean bone mineral density (BMD) was 0.596 +/- 0.157 g/cm2 for the femur neck (T score = -3.15 +/- 1.39 standard deviation) and 0.501 +/- 0.169 g/cm2 for the trochanter (T score = - 2.55 +/- 1.68 standard deviation). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D deficiency and low calcium intake were observed in a large number of elderly subjects. The patients with the lowest BMD values had secondary hyperparathyroidism.

[Iliac venous leiomyosarcoma revealed by cruralgia: a case report]. / Cruralgie secondaire à une compression par un léiomyosarcome de la veine iliaque: à propos d'un cas.

The iliac venous leimyosarcoma is rare, usually malignant, and often occurs with oedema or phlebitis. We report one case of iliac venous leiomyosarcoma revealed by cruralgia. A 69 years old patient, presented with a left cruralgia which had been developing for three months and which happened after an insignificant trauma. The clinical examination objectified a stiff painful mass of the left iliac fossa together with left psoitis. The initial pelvic tomodensitometry showed a mass at the contact of the psoas muscle. At first, the diagnosis of a psoas haematoma complicated by a compressive cruralgia was evocated. Two months ago, the patient had a pulmonary embolism. At his hospitalisation, considering the persistent cruralgia, a tomodensitometry and a pelvic magnetic resonance imaging were carried out and had shown an heterogeneous mass that was including the iliac vessels. The result of the anatomopathologic examination was leiomysarcoma. Due to the disease's evolution (pulmonary metastasis), only a medical treatment by chemotherapy was undertaken and the patient died a few weeks later. The association of phlebitis and cruralgia should let us think of the diagnosis of vascular neoplasm. Indeed, only an early diagnosis enables a curative treatment.