Observational multicentric study on chronic sciatic pain: clinical data from 44 Italian centers.

OBJECTIVE: To provide information on the clinical presentation of sciatic neuropathy and its management in a real-world setting, and to analyze the effects of a multimodal approach based on the association of physical and pharmacological therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicentric observational prospective study was conducted in 44 Italian tertiary centers specialized in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Orthopedics, Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Rheumatology. To develop a shared management of LPB with sciatica, a dedicated clinical record was proposed to collect data about diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes. Pain, disability, and quality of life were recorded trough validated questionnaires at baseline and after a two-month follow-up. RESULTS: 394 patients (age, mean ± SD 55.7 ± 14.1 years, 57.1% females) with chronic LBP and sciatica were enrolled in the study. The characteristics of the selected group showed a certain variability in the clinical presentation. At baseline, patients received several different therapeutic options among physical, pharmacological and neurotrophic treatments. A subgroup of 312 patients was treated with a combination of neurotrophic agents containing alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). After a two-month follow-up, a general improvement in both perceived pain and functional disabilities was observed. A significant improvement (p < 0.001) in the Pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Roland e Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) Italian short version was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Sciatic neuropathy is a multifaceted condition managed by means of a wide spectrum of therapeutic options. The results of this study suggest that a multimodal approach based on the association of ALA with physical and pharmacological therapies can be beneficial in the treatment of LBP with sciatica.

[The archives of the section of history of medicine]. / Gli archivi di storia della medicina. Ordinamento ed inventariazione.

The Section of History of Medicine of the Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology of the Rome University "La Sapienza" keeps the Archives of Angelo Celli, Amico and Francesco Bignami, Giuseppe Sanarelli. The Archives, primarily composed by medical notes, note books, correspondence, have been reorganized and an inventory has been made and computerized. The documents of the scientists Celli and Bignami testify their contribution to the study of malaria and of the pathological anatomy of the infection; Sanarelli's notebooks allow to reconstruct his scientific career. During the inventory, various groups of documents belonging to Alessandro Solivetti (1834-1893), Francesco Todaro (1839-1912), Giorgio Roster (1843-1927), Giuklio Bizzozero (1846-1901), Angelo Maffucci (1847-1903), Ettore Marchiafava (1847-1935), Giovanni Battista Grassi (1854-1925), Giovanni Mingazzini (1859-1929), Giuseppe Bastianelli (1862-1959), Vittorio Ascoli (1863-1931), Raffaele Bastianelli (1863-1961), Guiseppe Ovio (1863-1957), Vittorio Puntoni (1887-1970), Pietro Di Mattei (1896) have been found.

Complications following surgery for severe head injury.

The number of patients who survive, after severe head injuries, is becoming more and more consistent due to the remarkable progress made in intensive care and rehabilitation units. The aim of this study is to identify, in addition to direct structural damage, medical and neurological problems and describe their frequency within a group of patients with severe head injuries. Neurologic, metabolic, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, respiratory, cardiovascular, cutaneous and endocrinologic problems were more frequently found. All these problems, which were identified during the first month after head injury, are discussed regarding their clinical significance, therapeutic approach, and morbidity.

The kinetics of hemolytic plaque formation.

A mathematical analysis of the formation of hemolytic plaques in agar is presented. The results can be used to calculate the rate constant for antigen-antibody association and the distribution of antibody secretion rates. The limitations of the treatment and estimates of the expected errors involved are briefly discussed.