Efficacy and safety of ketamine alone and ketamine-dexmedetomidine combination for sedation for brain computed tomography in paediatric patients with head injuries: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of ketamine alone with those of ketamine-dexmedetomidine combination for sedation during brain CT in paediatric patients with head injuries. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the data of paediatric patients who underwent sedation for brain CT at the ED. We included patients aged 6 months to 6 years with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II. The sedative protocol involved the administration of intramuscular (IM) ketamine 3 mg/kg (K), ketamine 2 mg/kg with dexmedetomidine 1.5 µg/kg (KD) or ketamine 1.5 mg/kg with dexmedetomidine 1.5 µg/kg (low-KD). The primary and secondary outcomes were sedation failure and adverse events, respectively. RESULTS: We included 77 patients; among them, 28, 23 and 26 were in the K, KD and low-KD groups, respectively. In multivariable analysis, the combination groups (KD and low-KD groups) were significantly associated with a lower possibility of sedation failure compared to the K group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.56). Moreover, there were no significant differences in adverse events between the groups, and the sedation-related time variables also did not significantly differ among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that a combination of IM ketamine-dexmedetomidine provides effective sedation for paediatric patients undergoing brain CT without significant adverse events. Further research is needed to investigate the potential benefits of using lower doses of ketamine in combination.

Practical dosing guidance for the management of clinician-administered injections of long-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine.

Cabotegravir (CAB) and rilpivirine (RPV) is the first complete long-acting (LA) injectable regimen recommended by treatment guidelines for the maintenance of HIV-1 virologic suppression in people with HIV-1 who are virologically suppressed on a stable antiretroviral regimen that is administered monthly (Q1M) or every 2 months (Q2M). As an alternative regimen to lifelong daily oral antiretroviral therapy, Q1M or Q2M dosing schedules are associated with increased patient satisfaction and treatment preference. In addition, it may address challenges associated with daily oral dosing, including fear of treatment disclosure or stigma, anxiety related to oral dosing adherence, and the daily reminder of HIV disease status. Cabotegravir + RPV LA is administered by clinical staff as two intramuscular injections dosed Q1M or Q2M. In this review, we share practical dosing guidance for CAB+RPV LA injectable therapy, including how to initiate therapy, schedule injection visits, manage dosing interruptions due to missed or delayed injection visits, manage errors in dosing, and transition to alternative antiretroviral therapy after discontinuation. Practical guidance on the clinical management of CAB+RPV LA dosing, including a detailed discussion using case-based scenarios that may be encountered in clinical practice, is provided. The clinician-administered CAB+RPV LA regimen has dosing management considerations that are flexible and considerate of the patient and has the potential to provide a highly desirable and efficacious alternative to daily oral antiretroviral therapy for many people with HIV-1.

Guidance for clinicians on the management of long-acting Cabotegravir and Rilpivirine Injectable Therapy for HIV-1 Cabotegravir (CAB) and rilpivirine (RPV) is the first long-acting (LA) injectable therapy for people with HIV-1 who previously achieved undetectable virus levels using other HIV-1 medications. People with HIV-1 receive CAB+RPV LA as two injections given by their clinician every 1 month or every 2 months, providing an alternative treatment option to lifelong daily oral medications. People with HIV-1 receiving CAB+RPV LA every 1 or 2 months have higher levels of treatment satisfaction and often prefer CAB+RPV LA compared with daily oral medications. Cabotegravir+RPV LA may also address challenges associated with daily oral medications, including fear of inadvertently sharing HIV status, anxiety related to taking daily medications, and having a daily reminder of HIV. In this review, we provide guidance for clinicians on how to administer CAB+RPV LA injectable therapy, including how to start patients on CAB+RPV LA injections, schedule injection visits, manage missed or delayed injection visits, manage dosing errors, and switch patients to a different treatment if CAB+RPV LA is discontinued. This review also includes a detailed discussion of potential scenarios related to the administration and scheduling of CAB+RPV LA injections that may occur in clinical practice. Overall, this review serves as a practical guide for managing CAB+RPV LA injectable therapy in clinical practice that will be useful for HIV clinicians.

Neuropathy following intramuscular injections: a clinical and neurophysiological study from a tertiary care centre in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical and neurophysiological profile of peripheral nerve injuries in patients following intramuscular injections. METHODS: The descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Neurology, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from July 2019 to January 2021, and comprised adult patients of either gender with isolated peripheral nerve injuries following intramuscular injections. Nerve conduction studies were performed for each patient. Data was analysed using SPSS 26. RESULTS: Of the 99 patients, 59(59.6%) were males and 40(40.4%) were females. The mean age was 26.7+/-18.1 years, 34(34.3%) patients were under weight and 78(78.8%) were either illiterate or had low literacy level. Radial nerve was involved in 56(56.6%) cases, followed by sciatic in 39(39.4%) and axillary nerve 4(4.04%). Overall, 14(14.14%) injection had been administered by doctors, while the other 85(85.85%) were given by paramadics. Marked reduction in compound muscle action potential 72(72.7%) and sensory nerve action potential 82(82.8%) was noted, while re-innervation was seen in 78(78.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Intramuscular nerve injuries can be greatly minimised by spreading awareness regarding safe injection techniques and strict implementation of standard operating procedures in hospitals and clinics.

Clinical practice recommendations for nurse-administered intramuscular injections in mental health: A modified Delphi study.

AIM: To develop clinical practice recommendations for nurse-administered intramuscular injections in mental health. BACKGROUND: Intramuscular injection is the main route of long-acting injectable antipsychotics' administration that appear to improve the long-term prognosis of mental illness. Specific guidelines related to the nurse administration of intramuscular injections need to be updated and to explore not only the technical aspects of this procedure. DESIGN: A modified RAND/University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) appropriateness method Delphi study was conducted between October 2019 and September 2020. METHODS: A multidisciplinary steering committee conducted a literature review and developed a list of 96 recommendations. These recommendations were submitted in a two-round Delphi electronic survey to a panel of 49 experienced practicing nurses from five mental health hospitals in France. Each recommendation was rated for its appropriateness and applicability in clinical practice on a 9-point Likert scale. Consensus among nurses was evaluated. The steering committee discussed the results after each round and approved the final set of recommendations. RESULTS: A final set of 79 specific recommendations were accepted for their appropriateness and applicability in clinical practice. Recommendations were classified in five domains: legal and quality assurance aspects, nurse-patient relationship, hygiene, pharmacology, and injection technique. CONCLUSION: The established recommendations placed patients at the heart of the decisions concerning the intramuscular injection and underlined the need for specific training programs. Future research should focus on the integration of these recommendations in clinical practice, by both before-and-after studies and regular assessments of professional practices with relevant indicators. IMPACT: The recommendations developed for good nursing practices explored not only the technical aspects but integrated the nurse-patient relationship. These recommendations may impact usual practices of administration of long-acting injectable antipsychotics and most of them could be applied in many countries. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Due to the study design.

Modelling intramuscular drug fate in vitro with tissue-relevant biomimetic hydrogels.

Parenteral administrations are a mainstay of clinical drug delivery. Intramuscular (IM) injections deposit drug directly into skeletal muscle bellies, providing rapid systemic uptake due to the highly vascularized nature of this site. The potential to inject particulate or non-aqueous materials have also made IM injections useful for long-acting formulations. These attributes have supported a plethora of medicines being approved for IM administration. Despite these many approvals across multiple pharmaceutical categories, mechanisms that control drug release from the injection site, and thus its pharmacokinetic properties, remain poorly understood. Several pre-clinical in vivo animals have been used to model IM drug fate in patients, but these approaches have not consistently predicted clinical outcomes. This lack of a predictive in vivo model and no standardized in vitro tools have limited the options of pharmaceutical scientists to rationally design formulations for IM delivery. Here, we describe a novel, tractable in vitro model informed by dominant extracellular matrix (ECM) components present at the IM injection site. Three charge variants of green florescent protein (GFP) and the impact of three common formulation components were examined in an initial test of this in vitro model. A strongly positively charged GFP was restricted in its release from hydrogels composed of ECM components type I collagen and hyaluronic acid compared to standard and strongly negatively charged GFP. Introduction of commonly used buffers (histidine or acetate) or the non-ionic surfactant polysorbate 20 altered the release properties of these GFP variants in a manner that was dependent upon ECM element composition. In sum, this Simulator of IntraMuscular Injections, termed SIMI, demonstrated distinct release profiles of a protein biopharmaceutical surrogate that could be exploited to interrogate the impact of formulation components to expedite novel drug development and reduce current dependence on potentially non-predictive pre-clinical in vivo models.

El Servicio Profesional Farmacéutico Asistencial de Administración de medicamentos inyectables en Costa Rica: conceptualización y caracterización. Estudio exploratorio / The Professional Pharmaceutical Assistance Service for the Administration of Injectable Drugs in Costa Rica: conceptualization and characterization. Exploratory study

Introducción: El servicio profesional farmacéutico asistencial de administración de medicamentos inyectables, tradicionalmente, se ha ofertado en farmacias comunitarias costarricenses. El objetivo de este estudio es describir la conceptualización y principales características del servicio profesio-nal farmacéutico asistencial de administración de inyectables en Costa Rica.Método: Estudio exploratorio y descriptivo realiza-do en 35 farmacias comunitarias del área metropo-litana de Costa Rica. Los datos se obtuvieron, me-diante encuesta presencial al regente farmacéutico, haciendo uso de un cuestionario diseñado para este fin y en cumplimiento de principios éticos.Resultados: Un 97,14% de las farmacias comu-nitarias entrevistadas ofrecen el servicio, mayori-tariamente demandado por parte de pacientes y conformes al protocolo específico del Colegio de Farmacéuticos de Costa Rica. Como parte de este servicio se administran medicamentos inyectables, derivados de los servicios de dispensación de me-dicamentos con receta y de indicación farmacéu-tica. Destacan medicamentos AINE administrados por vía intramuscular. Además, se destaca la rela-ción con el servicio farmacéutico en inmunización.Conclusiones: Se evidencia la importancia del servicio de administración de inyectables para el sistema sanitario costarricense y el desarrollo de los servicios farmacéuticos.(AU)

Introduction: The professional pharmaceutical care service of injectable drug administration has traditionally been offered in Costa Rican commu-nity pharmacies. The objective of this study is to describe the conceptualization and main charac-teristics of the professional pharmaceutical assis-tance service of injectable drug administration in Costa Rica.Methods: Exploratory and descriptive study was carried out in 35 community pharmacies in the metropolitan area of Costa Rica. Data were ob-tained by means of a face-to-face survey of the pharmacist regent, using a questionnaire designed for this purpose and in compliance with ethical principles.Results: 97.14% of the community pharmacies interviewed offer the service, mostly demanded by patients and in accordance with the specific pro-tocol of the College of Pharmacists of Costa Rica. As part of this service, injectable drugs are admin-istered, as well as drugs derived from prescription drug dispensing services and those with pharma-ceutical indications. NSAIDs administered intra-muscularly stand out. In addition, the relationship with the pharmaceutical service in immunization is highlighted.Conclusions: The importance of the injectable administration service for the Costa Rican health system and the development of pharmaceutical services is evidenced.(AU)

Multifocal Abdominal Pyomyositis From Subcutaneous Dissemination in an Immunocompetent Patient.

A 61-year-old woman presented to the emergency ward complaining of low back pain for a month. She had undergone several spinal surgeries and a right radical nephrectomy 30 years before. A few days earlier she was injected with an intramuscular painkiller in her right buttock. An abdominal CT scan revealed multiple abscesses in the psoas muscle and the right posterior abdominal wall, including cellulitis in the adjacent subcutaneous tissue and the injection site. A diagnosis of pyomyositis from subcutaneous dissemination was made, and intravenous cefazolin was initiated. After five days of favorable progress, treatment was switched to oral cefadroxil to complete four weeks, leading to full recovery.

Deltoid Intramuscular Injections: A Systematic Review of Underlying Neurovascular Structures to the Muscle and Proposing a Relatively Safer Site.

The deltoid is the preferred site for intramuscular injection (IMI) because of its easy accessibility for drug and vaccine administration. Government immunization advisories, standard anatomy textbooks, and researchers have proposed various injection techniques and sites, but specific guidelines are lacking for the administration of IMIs in the increasingly used deltoid site. This study analyzes the procedures of administering IMIs in the deltoid related to the neurovascular network underlying the muscle and proposes a preferred site with the least chance of injury. The review protocol was submitted with PROSPERO (ID: 319251). PubMed, Google Scholar, and Websites of National Public Health Agencies were searched from 1950 up to 2022 for articles, advisories, and National Immunization Guidelines using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms, including IMIs, deltoid muscle, safe injection sites, to identify recommendations for safer sites and techniques of administering deltoid IMIs. All the authors strictly adhered to a well-developed registered review protocol throughout the study and followed the risk of bias in systematic reviews (ROBIS) guidance tool. The proposed sites and landmark data were tabulated, and each site was analyzed based on the underlying neurovascular structures. Data were depicted by self-generated images. The initial search identified 174 articles. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 57 articles were shortlisted. Out of the 39 selected articles, 18 focused on the administration of deltoid IMIs, whereas seven focused on the variations in the underlying neurovascular structures in proximity to the deltoid muscle. The remaining 14 articles were the immunization guides issued by the National Public Health Agencies of the Government of India and abroad, whose data was used for comparison. Twelve deltoid IMI sites and techniques were identified. A site 1-3 fingerbreadths/5 cm below the mid-acromion point (7 studies); mid-deltoid site/densest part of the deltoid (1 study); a site at the middle third of the deltoid muscle (1 study); triangular injection site (1 study). Limitations included the unavailability of free access to complete text in many articles resulting in exclusion. The area around the shoulder joint and up to the lower level of the intertubercular sulcus is highly vascularized by the presence of many anomalous arterial patterns. To avoid injury, a safer site is proposed of 5 fingerbreadths/10 cm below the midpoint of the lateral border of the acromion. The authors received no specific funding for this study except for the journal publication charges.

HIPGEN: a randomized, multicentre phase III study using intramuscular PLacenta-eXpanded stromal cells therapy for recovery following hip fracture arthroplasty : a study design.

AIMS: The aim of the HIPGEN consortium is to develop the first cell therapy product for hip fracture patients using PLacental-eXpanded (PLX-PAD) stromal cells. METHODS: HIPGEN is a multicentre, multinational, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 240 patients aged 60 to 90 years with low-energy femoral neck fractures (FNF) will be allocated to two arms and receive an intramuscular injection of either 150 × 106 PLX-PAD cells or placebo into the medial gluteal muscle after direct lateral implantation of total or hemi hip arthroplasty. Patients will be followed for two years. The primary endpoint is the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) at week 26. Secondary and exploratory endpoints include morphological parameters (lean body mass), functional parameters (abduction and handgrip strength, symmetry in gait, weightbearing), all-cause mortality rate and patient-reported outcome measures (Lower Limb Measure, EuroQol five-dimension questionnaire). Immunological biomarker and in vitro studies will be performed to analyze the PLX-PAD mechanism of action. A sample size of 240 subjects was calculated providing 88% power for the detection of a 1 SPPB point treatment effect for a two-sided test with an α level of 5%. CONCLUSION: The HIPGEN study assesses the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of intramuscular PLX-PAD administration for the treatment of muscle injury following arthroplasty for hip fracture. It is the first phase III study to investigate the effect of an allogeneic cell therapy on improved mobilization after hip fracture, an aspect which is in sore need of addressing for the improvement in standard of care treatment for patients with FNF. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(4):340-347.

Evaluating the effectiveness of gluteal intramuscular injection sites: a cadaveric study.

The gluteal region is a frequent target for injecting high volumes. However, the safe intramuscular injection sites have been controversy in this region. This study was aimed to compare the subcutaneous fat and muscle thicknesses at the two gluteal injection sites and to determine the influence of sex and body mass index (BMI) on fat and muscle thicknesses. The ultimate purpose of this study is to suggest the most suitable intramuscular injection site among the ventrogluteal and dorsogluteal regions. Eleven fresh cadavers were injected with colored gelatin using syringes at the two gluteal injection sites. Seven variables were measured at both gluteal injection sites and analyzed relative to sex and the BMI. No variables showed statistically significant differences between the two gluteal injection sites according to sex. In a one-way analysis of variance, total length and muscle thickness had significant difference according to the BMI category. In obese cadavers, the injected gelatin core was located in the subcutaneous layer (average 109.0 percentile), and in the muscle layer (average 78.9 percentile) in the dorsogluteal region. These were found that the success rate of injection in the dorsogluteal region was higher than in the ventrogluteal region, especially when classed as obese. Also, it is suggested that nurses should use the traditional intramuscular injection method. It will also be necessary to consider expanding these findings to other ethnic groups in the Asia-Pacific region and then also education in universities and health providers on selecting the intramuscular gluteal injection site.

Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Hypogonadal Men.

All approved testosterone replacement methods, when used according to recommendations, can restore normal serum testosterone concentrations, and relieve symptoms in most hypogonadal men. Selection of the method depends on the patient's preference with advice from the physician. Dose adjustment is possible with most delivery methods but may not be necessary in all hypogonadal men. The use of hepatotoxic androgens must be avoided. Testosterone treatment induces reversible suppression of spermatogenesis; if fertility is desired in the near future, human chronic gonadotropin, selective estrogen receptor modulator, estrogen antagonist, or an aromatase inhibitor that stimulates endogenous testosterone production may be used.

Dorsogluteal intramuscular injection depth needed to reach muscle tissue according to body mass index and gender: A systematic review.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE(S): The objective of this systematic review was to determine the needle length required to reach the dorsogluteal muscle based on body mass index and sex. Our aim was to provide evidence-based recommendations to current intramuscular injection guidelines from the result(s) of this review. BACKGROUND: Studies worldwide are documenting reduced medication effectiveness due to improperly placed dorsogluteal intramuscular injections because of incorrect needle length, wrong site selection and/or obesity. Current intramuscular injection guidelines lack specific instructions according to weight or sex. While there are similar concerns with other injectable sites, this review focuses solely on adult dorsogluteal intramuscular injections. DESIGN: A systematic review of relevant literature of dorsogluteal intramuscular injections based on body mass index and sex. METHODS: This systematic review was reported using the PRISMA checklist 2020. The review protocol was registered with Center for Open Science (OSF). We analysed 1,412 articles from nine databases. We compared twelve studies that utilised computerised tomography or ultrasonography using The Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model and Guidelines. RESULTS: A significant number of dorsogluteal intramuscular injections are administered into subcutaneous tissue rather than muscle because needles are too short for populations with body mass indexes over 25, especially women. Poor landmarking often results in improperly placed injections. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent administering a dorsogluteal intramuscular injection into subcutaneous tissue, women with a BMI of 25 and over require needles longer than 38 mm (1.5 inches). Men have less subcutaneous tissue in the dorsogluteal area and only require longer needles if BMI is 35 and over. If skin-to-muscle depth is questionable in either sex, an ultrasound-guided intramuscular injection is warranted for accurate dorsogluteal placement. Landmarking and needle length are key to appropriately placed IM injections. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Dorsogluteal injections are often injected into subcutaneous tissue rather than muscle because needles are not long enough to reach muscle, especially in women. Critical elements that determine placement of intramuscular injections into muscle versus subcutaneous tissue are sex, BMI, needle length and landmarking. Medications delivered into subcutaneous tissue may have reduced bioavailability.

Embolia Cutis Medicamentosa (Nicolau Syndrome) Secondary to Intramuscular Fulvestrant Injection: A Case Report.

PURPOSE: A case of embolia cutis medicamentosa (Nicolau syndrome) in a patient receiving monthly intramuscular fulvestrant injections is presented. SUMMARY: An 85-year-old woman receiving monthly fulvestrant injections in the outpatient setting developed a necrotic lesion at the fulvestrant injection site on her right buttock. Her medical history is notable for metastatic breast cancer with bone metastases. Prior to developing the necrotic lesion, the patient was receiving monthly fulvestrant injections for 6 years. Other potential causes such as infection and pressure necrosis were ruled out clinically. After 185 days of wound care involving multiple surgical debridements, topical therapy, and frequent follow-up appointments, the patient's wound resolved with 100% epithelialization. Nicolau syndrome has been reported with other non-vesicant, injectable medications such as antibiotics and corticosteroids; however, it has not been previously reported with fulvestrant. CONCLUSION: Nicolau syndrome developed in the right buttock of a patient with metastatic breast cancer following an intramuscular fulvestrant injection. Healthcare practitioners need to be cognizant of this adverse effect with intramuscular injections in order to recognize and refer patients for wound care evaluation early in the evolution of this syndrome. Proper injection technique is recommended to reduce the risk of this idiopathic adverse effect.

Aripiprazole lauroxil 2-month formulation with 1-day initiation in patients hospitalized for an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia: exploratory efficacy and patient-reported outcomes in the randomized controlled ALPINE study.

BACKGROUND: A randomized, controlled, phase 3b study (ALPINE) evaluated efficacy and safety of a 2-month formulation of aripiprazole lauroxil (AL) using a 1-day initiation regimen in patients hospitalized for an acute exacerbation of schizophrenia. Paliperidone palmitate (PP) was used as an active control. Exploratory endpoint assessments included severity of illness, positive and negative symptoms, quality of life, caregiver burden, and satisfaction with medication. METHODS: Adults were randomly assigned to AL 1064 mg q8wk or PP 156 mg q4wk as inpatients, discharged after 2 weeks, and followed through week 25. Exploratory efficacy measures included the 3 original PANSS subscales, Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) subscale, and caregiver Burden Assessment Scale. Exploratory patient-reported outcomes (PROs) included the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire Short Form (Q-LES-Q-SF) and the Medication Satisfaction Questionnaire. Within-group changes from baseline through week 25 were analyzed for AL and PP separately. PROs were summarized based on observed data. RESULTS: Of 200 patients randomized (AL, n = 99; PP, n = 101), 99 completed the study (AL, n = 56; PP, n = 43). For AL, PANSS subscale and CGI-S scores improved from baseline through week 25 (mean [SE] change from baseline at week 25: Positive, -7.5 [0.70]; Negative, -3.9 [0.46]; General, -11.8 [0.83]; CGI-S, -1.3 [0.12]). Caregiver burden also improved (mean [SD] changes from baseline at week 9: -8.4 [10.15]; week 25: -8.9 [12.36]). Most AL patients were somewhat/very satisfied with treatment at each timepoint (70.8%-74.7%); mean Q-LES-Q-SF total scores were stable in the outpatient period. For PP, results were similar: PANSS Positive, -7.3 (0.67); Negative, -3.6 (0.69); General, -10.9 (1.22); CGI-S, -1.4 (0.16); caregiver burden, week 9: -8.8 (11.89) and week 25: -9.2 (14.55); satisfaction with treatment, 64.7%-69.3%; and stable Q-LES-Q-SF scores. CONCLUSIONS: ALPINE patients initiating the 2-month AL formulation using the 1-day initiation regimen as inpatients and continuing outpatient care experienced schizophrenia symptom improvement, sustained patient satisfaction with medication, stable quality of life, and reduced caregiver burden. A similar benefit pattern was observed for PP. These results support the feasibility of starting either long-acting injectable in the hospital and transitioning to outpatient treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03345979 [trial registration date: 15/11/2017].

Intramuscular Injections and Dry Needling within Masticatory Muscles in Management of Myofascial Pain. Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial pain is an important cause of disability among the whole population, and it is a common symptom of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). Its management techniques vary widely; however, in recent years, there has been a growing interest especially in needling therapies within masticatory muscles, due to their simplicity and effectiveness in pain reduction. METHODS: The construction of the following study is based on PICOS and PRISMA protocols. A systematic literature search was conducted based on the PubMed and BASE search engines. Searching the abovementioned databases yielded a total of 367 articles. The screening procedure and analysis of full texts resulted in the inclusion of 28 articles for detailed analysis. RESULTS: According to analyzed data, clinicians manage myofascial pain either with wet or dry needling therapies. The most thoroughly studied approach that prevails significantly within the clinical trials is injecting the botulinum toxin into the masseter and temporalis. Other common methods are the application of local anesthetics or dry needling; however, we notice the introduction of entirely new substances, such as platelet-rich plasma or collagen. In the analyzed articles, the target muscles for the needling therapies are most commonly localized by manual palpation although there are a variety of navigational support systems described: EMG, MRI or EIP electrotherapy equipment, which often aid the access to located deeper lateral and medial pterygoid muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Needling therapies within masticatory muscles provide satisfactory effects while being simple, safe and accessible procedures although there still is a need for high quality clinical trials investigating especially injections of non-Botox substances and needling within lateral and medial pterygoid muscles.

Intradermal ChAdOx1 Vaccine Following Two CoronaVac Shots: A Case Report.

Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are used in many countries with uncertain immunogenicity. Intradermal ChAdOx1 has been proposed as a resource-efficient heterologous third booster shot. A 52-year-old healthy male healthcare professional had received two intramuscular CoronaVac shots on 21 April and 23 May 2021, and volunteered to take a 0.1 mL ChAdOx1 vaccine intradermally on 29 June 2021, with minimal local reactions. The declining IgG levels against spike protein from the two CoronaVac shots increased to higher than 10,000 AU/mL two weeks after the intradermal ChAdOx1. Moreover, the neutralizing antibody increased from 66.77% to almost 100%. A ratio of 6.6:9.7 of IgA:IgG was observed. The 50% pseudovirus neutralization titer (PVNT50) against lentiviral pseudovirus bearing a codon-optimized spike gene (wild type, alpha, beta, and delta) were 1812.42, 822.99, 1025.42, 1347.13, respectively. The SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells to spike protein-peptide pools (532-788 SFU/106 PBMCs) were detected. In conclusion, the antibody and cellular responses to the intradermal ChAdOx1, as a third booster dose in a healthy volunteer who received two intramuscular CoronaVac shots, revealed a dramatic increase in the total antibodies, including IgG, IgA, as well as T cell responses against spike protein. The immune response from intradermal ChAdOx1 should be further investigated in a larger population.

Extensive clostridial myonecrosis after gluteal intramuscular injection in immunocompromised patient treated with surgical debridement and negative-pressure wound therapy.

Gas gangrene is infectious disease caused by Clostridium perfringens infection. We are presenting extremely rare case of gluteal clostridial myonecrosis after intramuscular injection of diclofenac in immunocompromised young patient on a long-standing corticosteroid therapy presented with sepsis and initially absent clinical signs of severe anaerobic infection. After delayed diagnosis, she was treated with aggressive surgical removal of necrosed tissue and targeted antibiotic therapy which led to a rapid improvement allowing application of a negative-pressure wound therapy device with favorable outcome. This report shows the importance of timely diagnosis with pitfalls of imaging. It confirms that surgical debridement along with specific antibiotic therapy is the mainstay of treatment, but also promotes negative-pressure wound therapy which has proved convenient for accelerated closure of large incisions with tissue loss without any adverse effects or the need for complex reconstructive procedures.

Comparing low fidelity simulation/model and hybrid simulation techniques for teaching how to perform intramuscular injections: a case control study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare low-fidelity simulation/model and hybrid simulation techniques for teaching how to perform intramuscular injections. METHODS: The case control study was conducted at the Department of Midwifery, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey, from May 2 to 25, 2018, and comprised students enrolled in the course of Basic Principles and Practices in Midwifery II. The students were randomly divided into intervention group A and control group B. Those in group A were taught intramuscular injection at an assembly which was prepared through hybrid simulation method, while those in group B made use of the model routinely employed in the midwifery programme. Data was collected using a descriptive characteristics form, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Guide to Performing Intramuscular Injections into the Ventro-gluteal Site. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 73 students, 37(50.7%) were in group A and 36(49.3%) in group B. There was no difference in terms of age between the groups (p>0.05). Group A had a better total General Self-Efficacy Scale scores compared to group B (p<0.05). Mean score of group A in State-Trait Anxiety Inventory was lower than that of group B (p<0.05). The mean score of group A was also higher in the Guide to Performing Intramuscular Injections into the Ventrogluteal Site compared to group B (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Students using a hybrid simulation method had better levels of self-efficacy and skill as well as lower levels of anxiety compared to those trained on the conventional method.

Epinephrine delivery via EpiPen® Auto-Injector or manual syringe across participants with a wide range of skin-to-muscle distances.

BACKGROUND: Intramuscular (IM) injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) at the mid-anterolateral (AL) thigh is the international standard therapy for acute anaphylaxis. Concerns exist regarding implications of epinephrine auto-injector needles not penetrating the muscle in patients with greater skin-to-muscle-distances (STMD). METHODS: This open-label, randomized, crossover study investigated pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics following injection of epinephrine in healthy volunteers. Individuals were stratified by maximally compressed STMD (low, < 15 mm; moderate, 15-20 mm; high, > 20 mm). Participants received epinephrine injections via EpiPen® Auto-Injector (EpiPen; 0.3 mg/0.3 mL) or IM syringe (0.3 mg/0.3 mL) at mid-AL thigh or received saline by IM syringe in a randomized order. Eligible participants received a fourth treatment (EpiPen [0.3 mg/0.3 mL] at distal-AL thigh). Model-independent pharmacokinetic parameters and pharmacodynamics were assessed. RESULTS: There were numerical trends toward higher peak epinephrine concentrations (0.52 vs 0.35 ng/mL; geometric mean ratio, 1.40; 90% CI 117.6-164.6%) and more rapid exposure (time to peak concentration, 20 vs 50 min) for EpiPen vs IM syringe at mid-AL thigh across STMD groups. Absorption was faster over the first 30 min for EpiPen vs IM syringe (partial area under curve [AUC] over first 30 min: geometric mean ratio, 2.13; 90% CI 159.0-285.0%). Overall exposure based on AUC to the last measurable concentration was similar for EpiPen vs IM syringe (geometric mean ratio, 1.13; 90% CI 98.8-129.8%). Epinephrine pharmacokinetics after EpiPen injection were similar across STMD groups. Treatments were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Epinephrine delivery via EpiPen resulted in greater early systemic exposure to epinephrine vs IM syringe as assessed by epinephrine plasma levels. Delivery via EpiPen was consistent across participants with a wide range of STMD, even when the needle may not have penetrated the muscle.Trial registrationsThis trial was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS-ID: DRKS00011263; secondary ID, EudraCT 2016-000104-29) on 23 March 2017.

Intramuscular Injection of Combined Calf Blood Compound (CFC) and Homeopathic Drug Tr14 Accelerates Muscle Regeneration In Vivo.

Skeletal muscle injuries in competitive sports cause lengthy absences of athletes from tournaments. This is of tremendous competitive and economic relevance for both the athletes and their respective clubs. Therapy for structural muscle lesions aims to promote regeneration and fast-track return-to-play. A common clinical treatment strategy for muscle injuries is the intramuscular injection of calf blood compound and the homeopathic drug, Tr14. Although the combination of these two agents was reported to reduce recovery time, the regulatory mechanism whereby this occurs remains unknown. In this in vivo study, we selected a rat model of mechanical muscle injury to investigate the effect of this combination therapy on muscle regeneration. Gene expression analysis and histological images revealed that this combined intramuscular injection for muscle lesions can enhance the expression of pro-myogenic genes and proteins and accelerate muscle regeneration. These findings are novel and depict the positive effects of calf blood compound and the homeopathic drug, Tr14, which are utilized in the field of Sports medicine.