[Topical pharmacologic approach with 5% lidocaine medicated plaster in the treatment of localized neuropathic pain]. / Approccio farmacologico topico con lidocaina cerotto 5% nel trattamento del dolore neuropatico localizzato.

The treatment of neuropathic pain is a medical challenge. The responsiveness to the different classes of drugs is often unsatisfactory and frequently associated to a wide range of side effects. International guidelines suggest for the "localized" neuropathic pain the topical treatment with 5% lidocaine medicated plaster, alone or associated to systemic drugs, as the first choice since its favorable efficacy and tolerability profile. Many clinical experiences support the rationale for using 5% lidocaine medicated plaster in different kinds of localized neuropathic pain, such as postherpetic and trigeminal neuralgia, compressive syndromes, painful diabetic polyneuropathy and pain secondary to trauma or surgical interventions. This paper reports a series of clinical cases whose heterogeneity suggests the wide burden of applicability of the topical 5% lidocaine, either alone and associated to systemic drugs. All the described conditions were characterized by a highly intense pain, not adequately controlled by actual medications, which improved after the use of topical lidocaine. The good response to lidocaine allowed the reduction, of even the withdrawal, of concurrent drugs and improved the patients' quality of life.

[Brachytherapy in prostate cancer: the use of QuickLink® system within the real-time technique. A new technique is presented].

UNLABELLED: INTRODUCTION. Brachytherapy with real-time technique allows the ultrasound transperineal implant of needles and the release of I125 seeds in the prostate, with intraoperative dosimetry carried out by a special software. After performing this seed-releasing technique on 160 patients, we present 15 cases treated with strand seeds using the QuickLink®system. MATERIALS AND METHODS. INCLUSION CRITERIA: CaP clinical stage T1-T2, PSA ≤10 ng/ml, prostate volume ≤ 50g, Gleason score ≤3+3=6, Q maximum >13-15 ml/sec., and I-PSS score <10. METHODICAL. In ultrasound-guided transrectal technique the needles are inserted near the prostatic capsule. A 5mm section plan is performed; the computer allows identifying the contours of prostate, rectum, urethra, and the position of needles to be inserted. The total activity is defined, as well as the number and location of the sources to be included; isodoses are calculated, the correct position of seeds and spacers is printed. The strand seeds are prepared on the basis of this scheme, using the QuickLink® system, and placed into the prostate tissue. RESULTS. The QuickLink® system allows reducing the operative time (110 min, range 95-125). The pelvic CT assessing the post-planning has shown a more regular distribution of seeds. The cut-off of D90≥140 Gy was reached in all patients, with doses at urethra and rectum within the prescribed limits. CONCLUSIONS. The brachytherapy real-time with strand seeds QuickLink® combines the flexibility of planning intraoperative real-time with a faster process, and less tendency for the relocation of the seeds.

[The use of radiotherapy in the prevention of heterotopic ossification in patients with total hip replacement]. / L'uso della radioterapia nel prevenire le ossificazioni eterotopiche nei pazienti sottoposti a intervento di protesi d'anca.

In order to prevent heterotopic ossification (HO) after total hip replacement, 21 high risk hips were irradiated pre- and postoperatively to prevent heterotopic bone formation in the St. Paul Department of Radiation Oncology from 1993 to September, 1995. Eighteen hips in 15 patients were eligible for analysis with a minimum follow-up of 3 months. All the hips in our series were at high risk of heterotopic bone formation. All assessable patients had radiographic findings of ipsilateral or contralateral previous ectopic bone formation, 8 following total hip arthroplasty, 4 following trauma and 3 had heterotopic osteoarthritis. Four hips were treated 46 hours preoperatively, while all the others were treated on the first postoperative day. The irradiation field was limited to the hip region and radiation exposure to a rectangular field, ranging in size from 8 x 12 to 10 x 15 cm, to include the lateral aspect of the greater trochanter. We used a cobalt-60 unit. Opposed anterior-posterior fields were irradiated at midplan, with a source-to-axis distance of 80 cm; the dose was 6-8 Gy in one fraction. Preoperative irradiation appeared as effective as postoperative treatment, and more comfortable for the patients. There were neither side-effects nor failure of ossification. The treatment appeared effective in the prophylaxis of HO in 88% of patients, with clinical advantages in 67% of them.