Ultrasound-guided facet block to low back pain: a case report / Bloqueio facetário guiado por ultrassom para lombalgia: relato de caso / Bloqueo facetario guiado por ultrasonido para lumbalgia: relato de caso

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthrosis is a common cause of low back pain. The diagnosis is clinical and can be confirmed by imaging studies. Pain treatment and confirmation of diagnosis are made by intra-articular injection of corticosteroid and by local anesthetic use, due to clinical improvement. A direct monitoring of the procedure can be done under fluoroscopy, a classic technique, or else by an ultrasound-guided procedure. CASE REPORT: Female patient, 88 years old, 1.68 m and 72 kg, with facet osteoarthrosis at L2-L3, L3-L4 and L4-L5 for two years. On physical examination, she exhibited pain on lateralization and spinal extension. We opted in favor of an ultrasound-guided facet joint block. A midline spinal longitudinal scan was obtained, with identification of the desired joint space at L3-L4. A 25 G needle was inserted into the skin by the echographic off-plane ultrasound technique. 1 mL of contrast was administered, with confirmation by fluoroscopy. After aspiration of the contrast, 1 mL of solution containing 0.25% bupivacaine hydrochloride and 10 mg of methylprednisolone acetate was injected. Injections into L3-L4, L2-L3 and L1-L2 to the right were applied. CONCLUSIONS: The visualization of the facet joint by ultrasound involves minimal risk, besides reduction of radiation. This option is suitable for a large part of the population. However, fluoroscopy and computed tomography remain as monitoring techniques indicated for patients with specific characteristics, such as obesity, severe degenerative diseases and anatomical malformations, in which the ultrasound technique is still in need of further study. .

JUSTIFICATIVA: a osteoartrose facetária é causa frequente de dor lombar. O diagnóstico é clínico e pode ser confirmado por imagem. O tratamento da dor e a confirmação do diagnóstico são feitos pela injeção intra-articular de corticosteroide e anestésico local, por causa da melhoria clínica. A monitoração direta do procedimento pode ser feita por fluoroscopia, técnica clássica, ou guiada por ultrassom. RELATO DE CASO: paciente do sexo feminino, 88 anos, 1,68 m e 72 kg, com osteoartrose facetária em L2-L3, L3-L4 e L4-L5 havia dois anos. No exame físico, dor à lateralização e à extensão da coluna. Optou-se pelo bloqueio da articulação facetária guiado por ultrassom. Foi feito escaneamento longitudinal na linha média da coluna vertebral e identificado o espaço articular desejado em L3-L4. Uma agulha 25G foi introduzida na pele pela técnica fora de plano ecográfico. Foi administrado 1 mL de contraste, confirmado com fluoroscopia. Após aspiração do contraste, foi injetado 1 mL de solução contendo cloridrato de bupivacaína 0,25% e 10 mg de acetato de metilprednisolona. Foram feitas injeções nos espaços L3-L4, L2-L3 e L1-L2 à direita. CONCLUSÕES: a visualização da articulação facetária pelo ultrassom determina mínimo risco e redução da radiação e é indicada para grande parte da população. Ainda assim a fluoroscopia e a tomografia computadorizada permanecem como monitoração indicada para pacientes com características específicas, como obesidade, doenças degenerativas intensas e malformações anatômicas, nas quais o ultrassom ainda necessita de mais estudos. .

JUSTIFICACIÓN: la osteoartrosis facetaria es causa frecuente de dolor lumbar. El diagnóstico es clínico y puede ser confirmado por imagen. El tratamiento del dolor y la confirmación del diagnóstico se hacen mediante la inyección intraarticular de corticosteroides y anestésico local para la mejoría clínica. La monitorización directa del procedimiento puede hacerse por fluoroscopia, técnica clásica, o guiada por ultrasonido. CASO CLÍNICO: paciente del sexo femenino, de 88 años, de 1,68 m y 72 kg, con osteoartrosis facetaria en L2-L3, L3-L4 y L4-L5 hacía ya 2 años. En el examen físico se constató dolor a la lateralización y a la extensión de la columna. Optamos por el bloqueo de la articulación facetaria guiado por ultrasonido. Se hizo un escaneo longitudinal en la línea media de la columna vertebral y se identificó el espacio articular deseado en L3-L4. Una aguja 25G se introdujo en la piel por la técnica fuera del plano ecográfico. Se administró 1 mL de contraste, confirmado con la fluoroscopia. Después de la aspiración del contraste, se inyectó 1 mL de solución conteniendo clorhidrato de bupivacaína al 0,25% y 10 mg de acetato de metilprednisolona. Se administraron inyecciones en los espacios L3-L4, L2-L3 y L1-L2 a la derecha. CONCLUSIONES: la visualización de la articulación facetaria por el ultrasonido determina un mínimo riesgo y una reducción de la radiación y está indicada para gran parte de la población. Pero incluso así, la fluoroscopia y la tomografía computadorizada permanecen como la monitorización indicada para pacientes con características específicas, como obesidad, enfermedades degenerativas intensas y malformaciones anatómicas, para las cuales el ultrasonido todavía necesita más estudios. .

Onicólisis exudativa y paroniquia bacteriana aguda en relación con BIBF-1120 y paclitaxel: respuesta a la terapia tópica / Exudative onycholysis and acute bacterial paronychia related to BIBF-1120 and paclitaxel: response to topical therapy

Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 50 años de edad con cáncer de mama tratada con paclitaxel y BIBF 1120 semanal. La paciente desarrolló al final del duodécimo ciclo de quimioterapia una onicólisis distal, con exudado seroso intenso en el hiponiquio, dolor y mal olor en todas las uñas de las manos. Se trató con ácido fusídico tópico y aceponato de metilprednisolona al 1% dos veces al día, con una excelente respuesta desde los tres primeros días de tratamiento. A la semana de iniciar la terapia tópica, se observó una paroniquia bacteriana con la pérdida de la uña del quinto dedo de la mano izquierda, con cultivos positivos para Staphylococcus aureus sensible a meticilina. Hay pocos casos publicados de onicólisis exudativa asociada a quimioterapia. Sin embargo, están especialmente relacionados con paclitaxel. No se observaron recurrencias de las alteraciones ungueales semanas después de culminar la quimioterapia. Los corticoides tópicos y el ácido fusídico podrían ser considerados como una opción terapéutica cuando la onicólisis exudativa relacionada con paclitaxel esté establecida.

A case of a 50 years-old breast cancer patient treated with weekly paclitaxel and BIBF 1120 is reported herein. At the end of the twelfth cycle of chemotherapy, the patient developed distal onycholysis with intense hyponychium serous exudates, pain and malodor in all her fingernails. It was treated with topical fusidic acid and 1% methylprednisolone aceponate two times daily, with an excellent clinical response from the first three days of treatment. Bacterial paronychia with nail plate loss of the fifth left fingernail was observed a week after the topical therapy was started, with positive cultures for Methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. There are few reported cases of exudative onycholysis associated with chemotherapy. However, these are especially related to paclitaxel. No recurrences of nail disturbances were observed weeks after the end of chemotherapy. Topical corticosteroids and fusidic acid could be considered as a therapeutic option when exudative onycholysis related to paclitaxel is established.

Síndrome dolorosa miofascial do músculo psoas: complicação do tratamento intervencionista: relato de caso / Psoas muscle miofascial painful syndrome: complication of the interventional treatment: case report

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A infiltração anestésica do músculo psoas para tratamento da síndrome dolorosa miofascial apresenta reconhecida eficácia, tendo como complicações estabelecidas a infecção local e o hematoma. O objetivo do presente estudo foi relatar um caso de síndrome dolorosa miofascial do músculo psoas com complicação decorrente do tratamento intervencionista.RELATO DO CASO: Paciente do sexo feminino, 49 anos, com queixa de dor lombar e abdominal há cinco anos, com piora há dois anos. Na consulta relatou dor lombar, com irradiação para a região inguinal esquerda, contínua, com intensidade 8 pela escala analógica visual (EAV), apesar do uso de fórmula contendo fluoxetina, meloxicam e amitriptilina. A hipótese diagnóstica foi de síndrome dolorosa miofascial do psoas, sendo realizada infiltração anestésica do músculo, com alívio imediato e completo da dor. Dezoito dias após o procedimento a paciente apresentou dor de intensidade 6 e com história clínica compatível com hematoma subagudo. Trinta e cinco dias após o primeiro exame, a ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) mostrou regressão total da coleção intramuscular, com persistência apenas de tênue área de edema e realce mio-fibrilar. Realizou-se infiltração muscular com toxina botulínica medicamentosa com duloxetina (60 mg/dia), sendo obtida a remissão total do quadro doloroso. CONCLUSÃO: O caso mostrou a eficácia da infiltração do músculo psoas com anestésico local e corticoide como medida terapêutica indicada para relaxamento muscular imediato, com desativação dos pontos-gatilho e consequente alívio da dor, acelerando assim o processo de recuperação e mostrou que o hematoma é uma complicação que pode ser resolvida com tratamento clínico.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Anesthetic infiltration of the psoas muscle to treat painful myofascial syndrome is recognized as effective and has as established complications local infection and hematoma. This study aimed at reporting a case of psoas muscle painful myofascial syndrome with a complication caused by the interventional treatment.CASE REPORT: Female patient, 49 years old, with lumbar and abdominal pain complaint for five years which has worsened in the last two years. Patient reported lumbar pain, with irradiation to the left inguinal region, continuous, with intensity 8 according to visual analog scale (VAS), in spite of using a formula with fluoxetine, meloxicam and amitriptyline. Diagnostic hypothesis was painful psoas myofascial syndrome. The muscle was infiltrated with anesthetics with immediate and complete pain relief. Eighteen days after the procedure, patient presented pain of intensity 6 and with clinical history compatible with sub-acute hematoma. Thirty-five days after the first exam, MRI has shown total regression of the intramuscular collection with persistence of just a subtle area of edema and myo-fibrillary enhancement. Muscle was infiltrated with botulinic toxin drug with duloxetine (60 mg/day), with total remission of pain. CONCLUSION: This case has shown the efficacy of infiltrating the psoas muscle with local anesthetics and steroid as therapeutic measure indicated for immediate muscle relaxation, with deactivation of trigger-points and consequent pain relief, thus accelerating the recovery process, and has shown that hematoma is a complication which may be solved with clinical treatment

[Comparison of effect of EMLA cream and injection of methyl prednisolone acetate relief of pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome]

A standard treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] is local injection of anesthetic-corticosteroid. This clinical trial was designed to compare the safety and efficacy of daily application of the EMLA cream with that of a single injection of methyl prednisolone acetate. This is a clinical trial which was performed in the clinics of Shiraz medical school in 1386. Sixty five participants with clinical and electrodiagnostic evidence of mild to moderate CTS were randomized to receive either the EMLA cream [group 1] or one injection [40 mg] of methylprednisolone acetate at wrist [group 2]. Visual analog scale was used to assess the patients' pain acuity. Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software using Chi-Square test. Pain intensity before and after treatment and also 4 weeks after treatment in group A was 5.8 +/- 0.98, 0.7 +/- 0.82 and 2.1 +/- 1.2 and 5.7 +/- 1, 2.4 +/- 1.5 and 1.6 +/- 1.4 in group B. The differences in pain intensity in both group were significant [p<0.001]. EMLA cream was effective in reducing pain associated with CTS. It can be an effective, noninvasive symptomatic treatment for the patients with mild to moderate CTS

Comparison between intraarticular triamcinolone acetonide and methylprednisolone acetate injections in treatment of frozen shoulder

To compare the effectiveness of triamcinolone acetonide [40 mg] and methylprednisolone acetate [60 mg] in Iraqi patients with primary and secondary frozen shoulder. A total number of 135 [93 males and 42 females] patients with frozen shoulder, allocated at outpatient clinic of rheumatology in Al-Yarmook Teaching Hospital [Baghdad-Iraq] from January 2004 to December 2005, were enrolled in non-controlled clinical trial. The diagnosis of frozen shoulder was made using the guidelines for shoulder complaint issued by the Dutch College of General Practitioners. Intraarticular injections of 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide [46 males and 22 females] or 60 mg methylprednisolone acetate [47 males and 20 females] were given every 3 weeks [not more than 3 injections] by using posterior route. Both triamcinolone acetonide [81.8%] and methylprednisolone acetate [83.3%] were equally effective in primary frozen shoulder. Triamcinolone acetonide is significantly improved diabetic frozen shoulder in comparison to methylprednisolone acetate [69% versus 39%]. Also patients on triamcinolone acetonide required less number of steroid injections and higher percent of severe cases were significantly improved by triamcinolone acetonide in comparison with methylprednisolone acetate. We conclude that triamcinolone acetonide is a good rescue for painful stiff shoulder particularly for resistant cases as with diabetes mellitus, and with long duration of illness. Also, its efficacy can be observed with less frequent injections

Comparación de la efectividad entre la aplicación de aceponato de metilprednisolona 0.1% y dipropionato de betametasona 0.05% en niños con prepucio no retráctil / Comparative effectiveness of 0.1% metilprednisolone aceponate and 0.05% betamethasone dipropionate among children with nonretractable prepuce

Objetivo: Comparar el porcentaje de mejoría clínica entre aceponato de metilprednisolona versus dipropionato de betametasona tópicos, en niños con prepucio no retráctil. Material y métodos: De agosto del 2001 a noviembre de 2002 se realizó un estudio clínico, doble ciego y controlado en 34 niños con diagnóstico de prepucio no retráctil. Los niños fueron asignados al azar en los siguientes grupos de tratamiento tópico: grupo A; aceponato de metilprednisolona 0.1% y grupo B; dipropionato de betametasona a 0.05%. Resultados: De los 34 pacientes analizados se obtuvo mejoría en 88.2% (n = 15) del grupo A y 76.4% (n = 13) del grupo B, sin embargo, no hubo diferencia significativa en la comparación de porcentajes entre los dos grupos estudiados (χ2 = 0.2; p = 0.6). Conclusiones: El porcentaje de mejoría clínica entre los dos tratamientos de esteroides tópicos fue semejante.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical improvement between treatment with metilprednisolone aceponate vs. betamethasone dipropionate among children with nonretractable prepuce. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between August 2001 and November 2002, we carried out a double blind and controlled clinical trial in 34 children with a diagnosis of nonretracable prepuce. Children were randomly assigned to one of the following groups and topical treatment was administered: Group A; metilprednisolone aceponate 0. I 1% and Group B; betamethasone dipropionate 0.05%. RESULTS: Improvement was noted in 88.2% of our sample studied; (n= 15) children from group A and 76.4% (n= 13) childrenfrom group B; however, we did not observe a significant difference when comparing percentages between the two groups (chi2 = 0.2; p = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of clinical improvement was similar between the two groups of topical steroid treatment administered.

Randomized controlled trial between surgery and aspiration combined with methylprednisolone acetate injection plus wrist immobilization in the treatment of dorsal carpal ganglion.

Dorsal carpal ganglion is one of the most common benign tumors of the hand. Many treatment modalities had been proposed and yielded the same success rate. In the present study, the authors conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare the success of treatment between surgery and aspiration combined with methylprednisolone acetate injection plus wrist immobilization. There were 28 patients enrolled and randomized into two treatment groups. Only 24 patients were available for the final follow up at 6 months. According to the present study, dorsal carpal ganglion was more common in females (83.3%) at an average age of 30 years. Pain was the most common presenting symptom (58.3%). The success by excision was 81.8% and by aspiration combined with methylprednisolone acetate injection plus wrist immobilization was 38.46%. The p-value was 0.047 by Fisher exact test. The present study has clearly shown that surgical excision gave a better success rate in the treatment of dorsal carpal ganglion.

The effect of subtenon injection of methylprednisolone acetate on the breakdown of blood retinal barrier after cryotherapy

Using computerized vitreous fluorophotometry (VFP, Fluorotron(TM)), we examined the effect of cryotherapy on the blood retinal barrier (BRB) and the effect of subtenon injection of methylprednisolone acetate (Depomedrol(R)). In experiment 1, the right eyes of the 13 pigmented rabbits were treated with heavy cryotherapy after baseline VFP readings. The freezes were applied at 6 places in each quadrant around the equator are in two rows, a total of 24 places circumferentially. The left eyes were reserved as controls. In 6 rabbits (cryo with steroid group), Depomedrol(R) 10 mg of Depomedrol was injected into subtenon space after cryotherapy. The other 7 rabbits were treated with cryotherapy only (cryo only group). The VFP readings were taken 1, 3, 5, and 7 days, 2, 3, 5, and 7 weeks after cryotherapy. Cryotherapy increased the breakdown of BRB significantly. The peak VFP readings were obtained 5 days after cryotherapy in the cryo only group and 7 days after cryotherapy in the cryo with steroid group. In the cryo only group, the severity of the breakdown of BRB was higher than in the cryo with steroid group, and the increased VFP readings could not be normalized until 7 weeks after cryotherapy. In experiment 2, both eyes of the 8 pigmented rabbits were treated with medium cryotherapy after baseline VFP readings. The freezes were applied at 3 places in the superior temporal quadrant and at 3 places in the superior nasal quadrant, a total of 6 places. Depomedrol(R) 10 mg was injected into subtenon space after cryotherapy in the right eyes only. The VFP readings were taken 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 days after cryotherapy. In this experiment, cryotherapy did not increase the breakdown of BRB. But in the right eye, the severity of the breakdown of BRB was significantly lower than in the left eye 7 and 10 days after cryotherapy. These results suggest that Depomedrol(R) can decrease the severity of the breakdown of BRB after cryotherapy, and may be useful in the prevention of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).