Atypical Chronic Inflammatory ANCA-Positive Deforming Arthritis After Cocaine-Levamisole Exposure.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Immunostimulatory drugs including immune checkpoint inhibitors and levamisole can induce inflammatory disease including vasculitis, rashes, tissue necrosis, and arthritis. METHODS: This prospective cohort study determined the 5-year outcomes of cocaine-levamisole-induced inflammatory disease as to outcomes and survival. Thirty-one consecutive cocaine-levamisole autoimmune patients and 45 primary vasculitis patients were characterized as to clinical differentiating features, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) status, treatment, the presence of acute and chronic arthritis, and 5-year outcome. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent (22/31) of cocaine-levamisole vasculopathy cases were ANCA positive (86% p-ANCA and 14% c-ANCA), whereas 53% (23/45) of the primary vasculitis were ANCA positive (p = 0.04). The ANCA-positive cocaine-levamisole cohort at onset were characterized by younger age (45 ± 12 vs 53 ± 14 years, p = 0.04), superficial skin necrosis (82% vs 54%, p = 0.036), depressed complement C3 (27% vs 4%, p = 0.33), antiphospholipid antibodies (50% vs 4%, p < 0.001), neutropenia (18% vs 0%, p = 0.044), and elevated antimyeloperoxidase (MPO) antibody levels (100% vs 67%, p < 0.001). Chronic cocaine-levamisole disease was characterized by severe cicatrical deformities of the face and extremities (45.5% vs 8.3%, p = 0.005). Arthralgias (71% vs 82%, p = 0.19) and acute arthritis (33% vs 32%, p = 0.25) were similar between the 2 groups. However, a substantial proportion cocaine-levamisole-induced autoimmune patients (18% vs 0%, p = 0.045) developed a chronic deforming inflammatory arthritis that was rheumatoid factor, anti-cyclic-citrillinated antibody antibody, and HLA-B27 negative, but p-ANCA-and MPO antibody positive. CONCLUSIONS: Patients exposed to cocaine-levamisole may develop serious chronic sequelae including cicatrical cutaneous and facial deformities and an atypical seronegative, p-ANCA and MPO antibody-positive, HLA-B27-negative chronic deforming inflammatory arthritis.

Rheumatic Care in Under-Resourced Areas Using the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes Model.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the effectiveness of the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (Project ECHO) in educating primary care clinicians (PCCs) to provide best practice rheumatic care to patients in under-resourced communities in New Mexico. METHODS: Attendee data for weekly teleECHO sessions, lectures, grand rounds, and mini-residency trainings were evaluated from June 2006 to June 2014. Participant feedback was evaluated from January 2009 to December 2014, when the program was approved for continuing medical education (CME) credits. Retrospective review of diagnoses associated with case presentations was conducted from June 2006 to June 2014 to evaluate the types of cases presented. A focus group was conducted with a convenience sample of 8 New Mexico PCCs who participated in ECHO Rheumatology (ECHO Rheum) for 1 year or longer. RESULTS: Over the course of 9 years, ECHO Rheum educated 2,230 clinicians, consisting primarily of physicians (53%) and nurse practitioners (22%). A total of 1,958 CME credits were awarded to those who participated. There were 1,173 cases presented; 85% of the cases reflected the 3 most common diagnoses: rheumatoid arthritis (n = 715), fibromyalgia (n = 241), and systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 54). In addition, ECHO Rheum conducted 15 two-day mini-residencies involving 30 PCCs; 21 of these clinicians subsequently completed the American College of Rheumatology online certification. CONCLUSION: Results from this study demonstrate that participation in ECHO Rheum provides clinicians in under-resourced areas access to best-practice knowledge and training in rheumatology.

HLA-B27 spondyloarthritis and spotted fever rickettsiosis: case-based review.

Rickettsia rickettsii, a tick borne disease, is the pathogen responsible for inducing Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), an illness that can progress to fulminant multiorgan failure and death. We present a case where R. rickettsii, acquired on a camping trip, precipitated a flare of peripheral arthritis and episcleritis in an HLA-B27 positive patient. Although Yersinia, Salmonella, Mycobacteria, Chlamydia, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Brucella have been previously associated with HLA-B27 spondyloarthritis, this unusual case demonstrates that obligate intracellular rickettsial organisms, and specifically, R. rickettsii, can also induce flares of HLA-B27 spondyloarthritis. Rickettsial infections in general can rapidly become fatal in both healthy and immunosuppressed patients, and thus, prompt diagnosis and therapy are required.

Characteristics of Behcet's Disease in the American Southwest.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the characteristics of Behçet's disease (BD) in the American Southwest. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of BD patients clinically encountered during a 2-year period. All subjects fulfilled the International Study Group criteria (ISG) or International Criteria for Behcet's Disease (ICBD). Age, gender, clinical characteristics, substance use, and HLA-B51 status were determined. RESULTS: 63 patients (female: male ratio: 4.7:1) fulfilled ISG criteria and 76 the ICBD criteria (estimated prevalence of 8.9-10.6 per 100,000). 84.1% (53/63) were initially diagnosed with non-BD primary diagnoses including inflammatory arthritis (15.9%), fibromyalgia (7.9%), vasculitis (7.9%), or systemic lupus erythematosus (7.9%). Common BD manifestations were oral aphthous ulcers (100%), acneiform lesions (69.8%), genital aphthous ulcers (61.9%), papulopustular lesions (52.4%), pseudofolliculitis (42.9%), inflammatory arthritis (41.3%), anterior uveitis (23.8%), posterior uveitis (15.9%), pathergy (15.9%), deep vein thrombosis (14.3%), non-ocular vasculitis (11.1%), erythema nodosum (7.9%), arterial thrombosis (6.3%), and retinal vasculitis (1.6%). BD ethnic proportions were 49.2% Hispanic American (HA), 31.7% European-American (EA), 14.3% Native American (NA), and 1.7% Silk Road. HLA-B51 was present more in NA (89.0%, p = 0.02) and HA (74.2%, p = 0.02) compared to EA (42.1%). Therapy of BD was conventional, except for the frequent use of hydroxychloroquine. CONCLUSIONS: BD is common in the American Southwest with a prevalence of 8.9-10.6 cases per 100,000. BD patients are commonly initially diagnosed with alternative primary conditions. Hydroxychloroquine may be an effective alternative therapy for BD. This is one of the first reports of BD in HA and NA populations.

Extractable synovial fluid in inflammatory and non-inflammatory arthritis of the knee.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that mechanical compression of the knee in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) would mobilize occult extractable fluid and improve arthrocentesis success. METHODS: Sixty-seven consecutive knees with RA and 186 knees with OA and were included. Conventional arthrocentesis was performed and success and volume (milliliters) determined; the needle was left intraarticularly, and mechanical compression was applied with an elastomeric knee brace. Arthrocentesis was then resumed until fluid return ceased. Fluid was characterized as to volume and cell counts. RESULTS: In the RA, knee mechanical compression decreased failed diagnostic arthrocentesis from 56.7% (38/67) to 26.9% (18/67) (- 47.4%, p = 0.003) and increased absolute arthrocentesis yield from 4.7 ± 10.3 ml to 9.8 ± 9.8 ml (108% increase, 95% CI - 8.5 < - 5.1 < - 1.7 p = 0.0038). Total extractable fluid yield was 96% greater in RA (9.8 ± 9.8 ml) than OA (5.0 ± 9.4 ml, p = 0.0008), and occult extractable fluid was 77% greater in RA than OA (RA 5.3 ± 8.7 ml, OA 3.0 ± 5.5 ml, p = 0.046). Large effusions versus small effusions in RA demonstrated increased neutrophils in synovial fluid (p = 0.04) but no difference in radiologic arthritis grade (p = 0.87). In contrast, large effusions versus small effusions in OA demonstrated no difference in neutrophils in synovial fluid (p = 0.87) but significant different radiologic arthritis grade (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Mechanical compression improves the success of diagnostic and therapeutic knee arthrocentesis in both RA and OA. Large effusions in RA are associated with increased neutrophil counts but not arthritis grade; in contrast, large effusions in OA are associated with more severe arthritis grades but not increased neutrophil counts. Key points• Mechanical compression of the painful knee improves arthrocentesis success and fluid yield in both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.• The painful rheumatoid knee contains approximately 100% more fluid than the osteoarthritic knee.• Large effusions in the osteoarthritic knee are characterized by higher grades of mechanical destruction but not increased neutrophil counts.• In contrast, large effusions in the rheumatoid knee are characterized by higher synovial fluid neutrophil counts but not the grade of mechanical destruction, indicating different mechanisms of effusion formation in rheumatoid arthritis versus osteoarthritis.

Kaposi Sarcoma as a Cutaneous Vasculitis Mimic: Diagnosis and Treatment.

Painful, palpable purpura usually indicate underlying vasculitis. We report a case of systemic vasculitis treated with immunosuppression that developed painful, vasculitis-like purpuric lesions that progressed rapidly to fulminant Kaposi sarcoma (KS). These purpuric, tumorous lesions resolved completely following the suspension of immunosuppression; however, without immunosuppression, the underlying autoimmunity recurred. This case highlights the potential for early KS to present as a vasculitis mimic or pseudovasculitis that clinicians should keep in mind when purpuric, vasculitis-like lesions develop in an immunosuppressed patient with vasculitis. It is important to recognize these pseudovasculitis lesions as KS rather than recurrent vasculitis so that immunosuppression can be withdrawn.

Can Diagnostic and Therapeutic Arthrocentesis Be Successfully Performed in the Flexed Knee?

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether the extended or flexed knee positioning was superior for arthrocentesis and whether the flexed knee positioning could be improved by mechanical compression. METHODS: Fifty-five clinically effusive knees underwent arthrocentesis in a quality improvement intervention: 20 consecutive knees in the extended knee position using the superolateral approach, followed by 35 consecutive knees in the flexed knee position with and without an external compression brace placed on the suprapatellar bursa. Arthrocentesis success and fluid yield in milliliters were measured. RESULTS: Fluid yield for the extended knee was greater (191% greater) than the flexed knee (extended knee, 16.9 ± 15.7 mL; flexed knee, 5.8 ± 6.3 mL; P < 0.007). Successful diagnostic arthrocentesis (≥2 mL) was 95% (19/20) in the extended knee and 77% (27/35) in the flexed knee (P = 0.08). After mechanical compression was applied to the suprapatellar bursa and patellofemoral joint of the flexed knee, fluid yields were essentially identical (extended knee, 16.9 ± 15.7 mL; flexed knee, 16.7 ± 11.3 mL; P = 0.73), as were successful diagnostic arthrocentesis (≥2 mL) (extended knee 95% vs. flexed knee 100%, P = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: The extended knee superolateral approach is superior to the flexed knee for conventional arthrocentesis; however, the extended knee positioning and flexed knee positioning have identical arthrocentesis success when mechanical compression is applied to the superior knee. This new flexed knee technique for arthrocentesis is a useful alternative for patients who are in wheelchairs, have flexion contractures, cannot be supine, or cannot otherwise extend their knee.

Outcomes and cost-effectiveness of ultrasound-guided injection of the trochanteric bursa.

We hypothesized that ultrasound (US) guidance improves outcomes of corticosteroid injection of trochanteric bursitis. 40 patients with greater trochanteric pain syndrome defined by pain to palpation over the trochanteric bursa were randomized to injection with 5 ml of 1% lidocaine and 80 mg of methylprednisolone using (1) conventional anatomic landmark palpation guidance or (2) US guidance. Procedural pain (Visual Analogue Pain Scale), pain at outcome (2 weeks and 6 months), therapeutic duration, time-to-next intervention, and costs were determined. There were no complications in either group. Ultrasonography demonstrated that at least a 2-in (50.8 mm) needle was required to consistently reach the trochanteric bursa. Pain scores were similar at 2 weeks: US: 1.3 ± 1.9 cm; landmark: 2.2 ± 2.5 cm, 95% CI of difference: - 0.7 < 0.9 < 2.5, p = 0.14. At 6 months, US was superior: US: 3.9 ± 2.0 cm; landmark: 5.5 ± 2.6 cm, 95% CI of difference: 0.8 < 1.6 < 2.4, p = 0.036. However, therapeutic duration (US 4.7 ± 1.4 months; landmark 4.1 ± 2.9 months, 95% CI of difference - 2.2 < - 0.6 < 1.0, p = 0.48), and time-to-next intervention (US 8.7 ± 2.9 months; landmark 8.3 ± 3.8 months, 95% CI of difference - 2.8 < - 0.4 < 2.0, p = 0.62) were similar. Costs/patient/year was 43% greater with US (US $297 ± 99, landmark $207 ± 95; p = 0.017). US-guided and anatomic landmark injection of the trochanteric bursa have similar 2-week and 6-month outcomes; however, US guidance is considerably more expensive and less cost-effective. Anatomic landmark-guided injection remains the method of choice, but should be routinely performed using a sufficiently long needle [at least a 2 in (50.8 mm)]. US guidance should be reserved for extreme obesity or injection failure.

Improvement in diagnostic and therapeutic arthrocentesis via constant compression.

We hypothesized that constant compression of the knee would mobilize residual synovial fluid and promote successful arthrocentesis. Two hundred and ten knees with grade II-III osteoarthritis were included in this paired design study: (1) conventional arthrocentesis was performed with manual compression and success and volume (milliliters) determined; and (2) the intra-articular needle was left in place, and a circumferential elastomeric brace was tightened on the knee to provide constant compression. Arthrocentesis was attempted again and additional fluid volume was determined. Diagnostic procedural cost-effectiveness was determined using 2017 US Medicare costs. No serious adverse events were noted in 210 subjects. In the 158 noneffusive (dry) knees, sufficient synovial fluid for diagnostic purposes (≥ 2 ml) was obtained in 5.0% (8/158) without compression and 22.8% (36/158) with compression (p = 0.0001, z for 95% CI = 1.96), and the absolute volume of arthrocentesis fluid obtained without compression was 0.28 ± 0.79 versus 1.10 ± 1.81 ml with compression (293% increase, p = 0.0001). In the 52 effusive knees, diagnostic synovial fluid (≥ 2 ml) was obtained in 75% (39/52) without compression and 100% (52/52) with compression (p = 0.0001, z for 95% CI = 1.96), and the absolute volume of arthrocentesis without compression was 14.7 ± 13.8 versus 25.3 ± 15.5 ml with compression (72.1% increase, p = 0.0002). Diagnostic procedural cost-effectiveness was $655/sample without compression and $387/sample with compression. The new technique of constant compression via circumferential mechanical compression mobilizes residual synovial fluid beyond manual compression improving the success, cost-effectiveness, and yield of diagnostic and therapeutic arthrocentesis in both the effusive and noneffusive knee.

Bone Health ECHO: telementoring to improve osteoporosis care.

Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes creates knowledge networks that enable a transition from centralized specialty care at academic institutions to empowerment of primary care providers to provide more highly skilled care closer to home.

Outcomes and cost-effectiveness of carpal tunnel injections using sonographic needle guidance.

This randomized controlled study addressed whether sonographic needle guidance affected the outcomes of corticosteroid injection for symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome. Seventy-seven symptomatic carpal tunnels were randomized to injection by either (1) conventional anatomic landmark palpation-guided injection or (2) sonographic image-guided injection, each using a two-step technique where 3 ml of 1% lidocaine was first injected to hydrodissect and hydrodisplace critical intra-carpal tunnel structures followed by injection with 80 mg of triamcinolone acetonide (2 ml). Baseline pain, procedural pain, pain at outcome (2 weeks and 6 months), responders, therapeutic duration, total cost, and cost per responder were determined. There were no complications in either treatment group. Relative to conventional anatomic landmark palpation-guided methods, sonographic guidance for injection of the carpal tunnel resulted in 77.1% reduction in injection pain (p<0.01), a 63.3% reduction in pain scores at outcome (p<0.014), 93.5% increase in the responder rate (p<0.001), 84.6% reduction in the non-responder rate (p<0.001), a 71.0% increase in therapeutic duration (p<0.001), and a 59.3% ($150) reduction in cost/responder/year for a hospital outpatient (p<0.001). However, despite improved outcomes, cost per patient per year was significantly increased for an outpatient in a physician's office and was neutral for a hospital outpatient. Sonographic needle guidance significantly improves the performance and clinical outcomes of injection of the carpal tunnel and is cost-effective for a hospital-based practice, but based on current reimbursements, it significantly increases overall costs for medical care delivered in a non-hospital-based physician practice.

New device technologies for subcutaneous fat biopsy.

PURPOSE: Subcutaneous fat biopsy is useful for the evaluation of amyloidosis, environmental contaminants, lipid metabolism, genetic studies and diabetes research. The present study examined new technologies for fat biopsy. METHODS: Subcutaneous fat biopsy in 10 high-risk individuals was randomized to (i) a 10 ml reciprocating procedure device (RPD) mechanical syringe or (ii) a 60 ml vacuum syringe. Outcome measures included pain by the 10 cm Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS), adequacy of biopsied tissue, complications and diagnosis. The operator's ability to control syringes was quantitatively measured by the linear displacement method. RESULTS: Both syringes permitted facile aspiration of subcutaneous fat with adequate sample without complications. The mechanical and the vacuum syringes enhanced control of the needle compared to conventional syringes, reducing unintended forward penetration by 75% (3.6 ± 0.5 mm) and 87% (12.0 ± 1.4 mm), respectively (p < 0.0001). Free adipose cells were obtained in abundance as well as columnar biopsies containing intact blood vessels and connective tissue septa permitting precise microhistological examination. One case of primary AL amyloidosis (κ light chain disease) was diagnosed in each group. CONCLUSIONS: Subcutaneous fat biopsy by needle aspiration can be facilely achieved with new aspiration syringe technologies with improved needle control and enhanced patient safety.

The outcomes and cost-effectiveness of intraarticular injection of the rheumatoid knee.

Although intraarticular injections are important to the management of rheumatoid arthritis, there are few studies regarding the cost-effectiveness of alternative injection techniques. This randomized controlled study addressed the cost-effectiveness of two different low-cost, anatomic landmark palpation-directed intraarticular injection techniques. Ninety-six symptomatic rheumatoid knees were randomized to two different low-cost, palpation-guided intraarticular injection techniques utilizing (1) a conventional syringe or (2) a mechanical syringe, the RPD (the reciprocating procedure device). Three milliliters of 1% lidocaine were used to anesthetize the synovial membrane, followed by arthrocentesis and hydrodissection, and injection of 80 mg of triamcinolone acetonide utilizing the one-needle two-syringe technique. Baseline pain, procedural pain, aspirated fluid volume, pain at outcome (2 weeks and 6 months), responders, reinjection rates, cost/patient/year, and cost/responder/year were determined. Pain was measured with the 10 cm Visual Analogue Pain Scale (VAS). Both techniques significantly reduced pain scores at outcome from baseline (P < 0.001). The mechanical syringe technique resulted in a greater volume of aspirated fluid (P < 0.01), a 38% reduction in procedural pain (P < 0.001), a 24% reduction in pain scores at outcome (P < 0.03), an increase in the responder rate (P < 0.025), 33% increase in the time to next injection (P < 0.001), 23% ($35 US) reduction in cost/patient/year for a patient treated in a physician office (P < 0.001), 24% reduction ($26 US) in cost/patient/year for a hospital outpatient (P < 0.001), and 51% ($151 US) reduction in cost/responder/year (P < 0.001). The outcomes and cost-effectiveness of intraarticular injection of the rheumatoid knee can be improved significantly with low-cost alternations in technique.

A randomized controlled trial evaluating the cost-effectiveness of sonographic guidance for intra-articular injection of the osteoarthritic knee.

OBJECTIVE: The present randomized controlled study investigated whether sonographic needle guidance affected the outcomes of intra-articular injection for osteoarthritis of the knee. METHODS: Ninety-four noneffusive knees with osteoarthritis were randomized to injection by conventional palpation-guided anatomic landmark injection or sonographic image-guided injection enhanced with a 1-handed mechanical (the reciprocating procedure device) syringe. After intra-articular placement and synovial space dilation were confirmed by sonography, a syringe exchange was performed, and 80 mg of triamcinolone acetonide was injected with the second syringe through the indwelling intra-articular needle. Baseline pain, procedural pain, pain at outcome (2 weeks and 6 months), responders, therapeutic duration, reinjection rates, total cost, and cost per responder were determined. RESULTS: Relative to conventional palpation-guided anatomic landmark methods, sonographic guidance for injection of the knee resulted in 48% reduction in procedural pain (P < 0.001), a 42% reduction in pain scores at outcome (P < 0.03), 107% increase in the responder rate (P < 0.001), 52% reduction in the nonresponder rate (P < 0.001), a 36% increase in therapeutic duration (P = 0.01), a 13% reduction ($17) in cost per patient per year, and a 58% ($224) reduction in cost per responder per year for a hospital outpatient (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sonographic needle guidance reduced procedural pain and improved the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of intra-articular injections of the osteoarthritic knee.

Safety syringes and anti-needlestick devices in orthopaedic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery (AAOS), The Joint Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act encourage the integration of safety-engineered devices to prevent needlestick injuries to health-care workers and patients. We hypothesized that safety syringes and needles could be used in outpatient orthopaedic injection and aspiration procedures. METHODS: The study investigated the orthopaedic uses and procedural idiosyncrasies of safety-engineered devices, including (1) four safety needles (Eclipse, SafetyGlide, SurGuard, and Magellan), (2) a mechanical safety syringe (RPD), (3) two automatic retractable syringes (Integra, VanishPoint), (4) three manual retractable syringes (Procedur-SF, Baksnap, Invirosnap), and (5) three shielded syringes (Safety-Lok, Monoject, and Digitally Activated Shielded [DAS] Syringe). The devices were first tested ex vivo, and then 1300 devices were used for 425 subjects undergoing outpatient arthrocentesis, intra-articular injections, local anesthesia, aspiration biopsy, and ultrasound-guided procedures. RESULTS: During the clinical observation, there were no accidental needlesticks (0 needlesticks per 1300 devices). Safety needles could be successfully used on a Luer syringe but were limited to ≤1.5 in (≤3.81 cm) in length and the shield could interfere with sonography. The mechanical safety syringes functioned well in all orthopaedic procedures. Automatic retractable syringes were too small for arthrocentesis of the knee, and the plunger blew out and prematurely collapsed with high-pressure injections. The manual retractable syringes and shielded syringes could be used with conventional needles for most orthopaedic procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The most effective and reliable safety devices for orthopaedic syringe procedures are shielded safety needles, mechanical syringes, manual retractable syringes, and shielded syringes, but not automatic retractable syringes. Even when adopting safety-engineered devices for an orthopaedic clinic, conventional syringes larger than 20 mL and conventional needles longer than 1.5 in (3.8 cm) are necessary.

Nerve blocks at the wrist for painful injections of the palm.

PURPOSE: Injections into the palmar hand for trigger finger, palmar flexor tenosynovitis, and Dupuytren contracture can be very painful. This randomized, controlled study evaluated nerve block anesthesia at the wrist for prevention of procedural pain associated with painful injection of the palmar hand. METHODS: Forty-seven corticosteroid injections for trigger fingers in 19 individuals were randomized to (1) anesthesia consisting of median and ulnar nerve block with 1% lidocaine anesthesia followed by standard injection or (2) standard injection alone using the 1-needle 2-syringe technique consisting of transthecal dilation of the synovial sheath with 0.5 mL 1% lidocaine with a mechanical syringe, the reciprocating procedure device, followed by injection with 20 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Baseline pain, needle insertion/sheath dilation pain, corticosteroid injection pain, resolution of trigger finger, and pain at outcome (2 weeks) were determined. RESULTS: Standard injection for trigger finger was associated with significant pain in 100% of subjects. Nerve blocks at the wrist provided effective anesthesia, resulting in a 56% reduction in injection pain compared with direct injection (P < 0.01). There was 100% resolution of trigger finger in both treatment groups. Pain at the 2-week outcome, reduction in pain from baseline, responders, and nonresponders were not statistically different (P > 0.3 for all). Eighty-eight percent of subjects preferred nerve block anesthesia to direct injection (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Nerve block anesthesia at the wrist before palmar injection is preferred by patients and is highly effective in preventing pain associated with injection of the palmar hand for trigger finger and other painful hand procedures.

Partnering urban academic medical centers and rural primary care clinicians to provide complex chronic disease care.

Many of the estimated thirty-two million Americans expected to gain coverage under the Affordable Care Act are likely to have high levels of unmet need because of various chronic illnesses and to live in areas that are already underserved. In New Mexico an innovative new model of health care education and delivery known as Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) provides high-quality primary and specialty care to a comparable population. Using state-of-the-art telehealth technology and case-based learning, Project ECHO enables specialists at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center to partner with primary care clinicians in underserved areas to deliver complex specialty care to patients with hepatitis C, asthma, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, pediatric obesity, chronic pain, substance use disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular conditions, and mental illness. As of March 2011, 298 Project ECHO teams across New Mexico have collaborated on more than 10,000 specialty care consultations for hepatitis C and other chronic diseases.

The highly accurate anteriolateral portal for injecting the knee.

BACKGROUND: The extended knee lateral midpatellar portal for intraarticular injection of the knee is accurate but is not practical for all patients. We hypothesized that a modified anteriolateral portal where the synovial membrane of the medial femoral condyle is the target would be highly accurate and effective for intraarticular injection of the knee. METHODS: 83 subjects with non-effusive osteoarthritis of the knee were randomized to intraarticular injection using the modified anteriolateral bent knee versus the standard lateral midpatellar portal. After hydrodissection of the synovial membrane with lidocaine using a mechanical syringe (reciprocating procedure device), 80 mg of triamcinolone acetonide were injected into the knee with a 2.0-in (5.1-cm) 21-gauge needle. Baseline pain, procedural pain, and pain at outcome (2 weeks and 6 months) were determined with the 10 cm Visual Analogue Pain Score (VAS). The accuracy of needle placement was determined by sonographic imaging. RESULTS: The lateral midpatellar and anteriolateral portals resulted in equivalent clinical outcomes including procedural pain (VAS midpatellar: 4.6 ± 3.1 cm; anteriolateral: 4.8 ± 3.2 cm; p = 0.77), pain at outcome (VAS midpatellar: 2.6 ± 2.8 cm; anteriolateral: 1.7 ± 2.3 cm; p = 0.11), responders (midpatellar: 45%; anteriolateral: 56%; p = 0.33), duration of therapeutic effect (midpatellar: 3.9 ± 2.4 months; anteriolateral: 4.1 ± 2.2 months; p = 0.69), and time to next procedure (midpatellar: 7.3 ± 3.3 months; anteriolateral: 7.7 ± 3.7 months; p = 0.71). The anteriolateral portal was 97% accurate by real-time ultrasound imaging. CONCLUSION: The modified anteriolateral bent knee portal is an effective, accurate, and equivalent alternative to the standard lateral midpatellar portal for intraarticular injection of the knee. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00651625.

Sonographically guided hydrodissection and corticosteroid injection for scleroderma hand.

Scleroderma is associated with intractable hand pain from vasospasm, digital ischemia, tenosynovitis, and nerve entrapment. This study investigated the effect of hydrodissection of the carpal tunnel followed by corticosteroid injection for the painful scleroderma hand. Twenty-six consecutive subjects [12 with painful scleroderma hand and 14 with rheumatoid arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome (RA/CTS)] underwent sonographically observed carpal tunnel hydrodissection with 3 ml of 1% lidocaine administered with a 25-gauge 1-in. needle on a 3-ml RPD mechanical syringe (reciprocating procedure device). After hydrodissection, a syringe exchange was performed, and 80 mg of triamcinolone acetonide was injected. Baseline pain, procedural pain, pain at outcome, responders, therapeutic duration, and reinjection interval were determined. Hydrodissection and injection with corticosteroid significantly reduced pain scores by 67% in scleroderma (p < 0.001) and by 47% in RA/CT (p < 0.001). Scleroderma and RA/CTS were similar in outcome measures: injection pain (p = 0.47), pain scores at outcome (p = 0.13), responders (scleroderma, 83.3%; RA/CTS, 57.1%, p = 0.15), pain at 6 months (p = 0.15), and therapeutic duration (p = 0.07). Scleroderma patients responded better in time to next injection (scleroderma, 8.5 ± 3.0 months; RA/CTS, 5.2 ± 3.1 months, p = 0.03). Reduced Raynaud's attacks and healing of digital ulcers occurred in 83% of subjects. There were no complications. Hydrodissection with lidocaine followed by injection of triamcinolone reduces pain and vasomotor changes in the scleroderma hand. The mechanism may be a combination of hydrodissection-mediated mechanical freeing of entrapped arteries, nerves, and tendinous structures and corticosteroid-induced reduction of inflammatory vasospasm.

Image-directed fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid with safety-engineered devices.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to integrate safety-engineered devices into outpatient fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of the thyroid in an interventional radiology practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The practice center is a tertiary referral center for image-directed FNA thyroid biopsies in difficult patients referred by the primary care physician, endocrinologist, or otolaryngologist. As a departmental quality of care and safety improvement program, we instituted integration of safety devices into our thyroid biopsy procedures and determined the effect on outcome (procedural pain, diagnostic biopsies, inadequate samples, complications, needlesticks to operator, and physician satisfaction) before institution of safety devices (54 patients) and after institution of safety device implementation (56 patients). Safety devices included a patient safety technology-the mechanical aspirating syringe (reciprocating procedure device), and a health care worker safety technology (antineedlestick safety needle). RESULTS: FNA of thyroid could be readily performed with the safety devices. Safety-engineered devices resulted in a 49% reduction in procedural pain scores (P < 0.0001), a 56% reduction in significant pain (P < 0.002), a 21% increase in operator satisfaction (P < 0.0001), and a 5% increase in diagnostic specimens (P = 0.5). No needlesticks to health care workers or patient injuries occurred during the study. CONCLUSIONS: Safety-engineered devices to improve both patient and health care worker safety can be successfully integrated into diagnostic FNA of the thyroid while maintaining outcomes and improving safety.