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Anesth Analg 2002 Oct;95(4):1115-8
The Children's Hospital, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver.
[Medline record in process]
PMID: 12351307, UI: 22238216
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Anesth Analg 2002 Oct;95(4):1002-8
Klinik fur Anaesthesiologie und operative Intensivmedizin, Klinikum Benjamin Franklin, Freie Universitat Berlin, Germany.
PMID: 12351284, UI: 22238193
Anesth Analg 2002 Oct;95(4):820-3
Department of Anaesthesia, Monash Medical Centre.
Persistent pain is an underreported morbidity after cardiac surgery. We sent pain surveys to all patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery from 1997 to 1999 from a single surgeon's experience. Two analgesia strategies were used: high thoracic epidural (HTEA) or IV and oral opiates (OPIOID) for 48-72 h after surgery. Persistent pain was defined as pain still present two or more months after surgery, and all questions referred to the time of survey only. From 356 questionnaires, 305 patients responded, and 61 of them refused consent, leaving 244 patients with complete surveys (HTEA, 150 patients [69%]; OPIOID, 94 patients [68%]). The incidence of persistent pain at any site was 29% and for sternotomy was 25%. The intensity of pain reported was mild, with only 7% reporting interference with daily living. Other common locations of persistent pain were the shoulders (17.4%), back (15.9%), and neck (5.8%). Twenty patients (8%) described symptoms suggestive of the internal mammary artery syndrome. A comparative audit of the HTEA and OPIOID groups showed no significant differences in the frequency or intensity of pain, although the time of survey from operation was longer in the OPIOID group. Mild persistent chest pain after sternotomy is common but infrequently interferes with daily life. IMPLICATIONS: Persistent wound pain after coronary artery bypass surgery is common, but it is usually is mild and infrequently interferes with daily living. An audit of two pain relief strategies (epidural analgesia or opiate analgesia) did not show any difference in the incidence of persistent pain.
PMID: 12351251, UI: 22238160
Anesth Analg 2002 Oct;95(4):813-9
Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care and Department of Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio.
Postoperative pain management after cardiac surgery has been mainly based on parenteral opioids. However, because opioids have numerous side effects, coadministration of non-opioid analgesics has been introduced as a method of reducing opioid dose. In this prospective, randomized, double-blinded study, we evaluated the efficacy of propacetamol, an IV administered prodrug of acetaminophen (paracetamol), as an adjunctive analgesic after cardiac surgery. Seventy-nine patients scheduled for elective coronary artery bypass grafting were randomized to receive either propacetamol 2 g (n = 40) or placebo (n = 39) IV in 6-h intervals for 72 h. From the time of extubation, patients had access to an opioid (oxycodone) via a patient-controlled analgesia device. Pain was evaluated on a visual analog scale four times daily, whereas respiratory function tests (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, peak expiratory flow, and arterial blood gas measurements) were performed once a day. The prespecified primary efficacy variable (cumulative oxycodone consumption at the end of the 72-h postoperative period) was 123.5 mg (51.3 mg) (mean [SD]) in the propacetamol group and 141.8 mg (57.5 mg) in the placebo group (difference in mean, 18.3 mg = 13%; 95% confidence interval, 6.1-42.7 mg; P = 0.15). Pain scores did not differ between the groups at rest (P = 0.65) or during a deep breath (P = 0.72). The groups were also similar in terms of pulmonary function tests, postoperative bleeding, and hepatic function tests, and no significant differences were noted in the incidences of adverse effects. After completion of the study, apost hoc analysis was also performed analyzing the first 24 h as split into 6-h intervals. This analysis showed a significantly (P = 0.036) smaller consumption of oxycodone in the propacetamol group at 24 h (47.1 mg [20.7 mg] versus 57.9 mg [23.9 mg]; difference in mean, 10.8 mg; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-20.9 mg). In conclusion, propacetamol did not enhance opioid-based analgesia in coronary artery bypass grafting patients, nor did it decrease cumulative opioid consumption or reduce adverse effects within 3 days after surgery. However, post hoc analysis showed that oxycodone requirement was reduced within the first 24 h in the propacetamol group. IMPLICATIONS: This is the first placebo-controlled study to investigate the efficacy of propacetamol as a complementary analgesic to opioids after cardiac surgery. Propacetamol did not enhance analgesia, nor did it decrease cumulative opioid consumption or reduce adverse effects in a dose of 2 g given every sixth hour for 3 days after surgery.
PMID: 12351250, UI: 22238159
Anesthesiology 2002 Sep;97(3):550-9
Department of Anesthesiology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Japan. mikitok@sapmed.ac.jp
BACKGROUND: To determine the mechanisms of postoperative pain, the effects of local anesthesia on development and maintenance of surgical incision-induced hyperalgesia were evaluated in a crossover, double-blinded, placebo-controlled human study using 17 subjects. METHODS: An experimental 4-mm-long incision through skin, fascia, and muscle was made in the volar forearm of each subject. In experiment 1, 1% lidocaine or saline in a volume of 0.2 ml was subcutaneously injected into the incision site pretraumatically and posttraumatically. In experiment 2, a 5-cm-long strip of skin was subcutaneously injected with 0.2 ml of 1% lidocaine near the incision site pretraumatically and posttraumatically. Flare, spontaneous pain, and primary and secondary hyperalgesia to punctate mechanical stimuli were assessed after the incision had been made. RESULTS: Pretraumatic lidocaine injection prevented the occurrence of spontaneous pain and development of flare formation that was found surrounding the incision site immediately (1 min) after the incision had been made. The lidocaine suppressed primary hyperalgesia more effectively than did posttraumatic block, but only for the first 4 h after the incision. The preincision block prevented development of secondary hyperalgesia, whereas posttraumatic block did not significantly affect the fully developed secondary hyperalgesia. The area of flare formation and the area of secondary hyperalgesia did not extend over the strip of the skin that had been pretraumatically anesthetized, whereas the posttraumatic block did not significantly reduce the area of fully developed secondary hyperalgesia. CONCLUSIONS: Pretraumatic injection of lidocaine reduces primary hyperalgesia more effectively than does posttraumatic injection, but only for a short period after incision. The spread of secondary hyperalgesia is mediated peripheral nerve fibers, but when secondary hyperalgesia has fully developed, it becomes less dependent on or even independent of peripheral neural activity originating from the injured site.
Publication Types:
PMID: 12218519, UI: 22205749
Anesthesiology 2002 Sep;97(3):540-9
Department of Anesthesia, McGill University Health Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada HA1. franco.carli@muhc.mcgill.ca
BACKGROUND: Multimodal analgesia programs have been shown to decrease hospital stay, but it not clear which functions are restored after surgery. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of epidural anesthesia and analgesia on functional exercise capacity and health-related quality of life. METHODS: Sixty-four patients undergoing elective colonic resection were randomized to either patient-controlled analgesia with morphine or thoracic epidural analgesia with bupivacaine and fentanyl (epidural group). All patients in both groups received similar perioperative care and were offered the same amount of postoperative oral nutrition and assistance with mobilization. Primary outcome was functional exercise capacity as measured by the 6-min walking test, and secondary outcome was health-related quality of life, as measured by the SF-36 health survey. These were assessed before surgery and at 3 and 6 weeks after hospital discharge. Other variables measured in hospital included pain and fatigue visual analogue scale, bowel function, time out of bed, nutritional intake, complication rate, readiness for discharge, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Although the 6-min walking test and the SF-36 physical health component decreased in both groups at 3 and 6 weeks after surgery, the patient-controlled analgesia group experienced a significantly greater decrease at both times (P < 0.01). Patients in the epidural group had lower postoperative pain and fatigue scores, which allowed them to mobilize to a greater extent (P < 0.05) and eat more (P < 0.05). Length of hospital stay and incidence of complications were similar in both groups, although patients in the epidural group were ready to be discharged earlier. CONCLUSIONS: The superior quality of pain relief provided by epidural analgesia had a positive impact on out-of-bed mobilization, bowel function, and intake of food, with long-lasting effects on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life.
PMID: 12218518, UI: 22205748
Anesthesiology 2002 Sep;97(3):537-9
PMID: 12218517, UI: 22205747
Anesthesiology 2002 Sep;97(3):533-4
PMID: 12218515, UI: 22205745
Ann Intern Med 2002 Sep 17;137(6):I42
PMID: 12230382, UI: 22217118
Ann Intern Med 2002 Sep 17;137(6):548-9; discussion 548-9
PMID: 12230369, UI: 22217105
Ann Intern Med 2002 Sep 17;137(6):501-4
Denver Health Medical Center, and The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Bannock Street, Mailcode 0960, Denver, CO 80204-4507, USA.
BACKGROUND: Methadone is an effective treatment for opioid dependency and chronic pain. A methadone derivative, levacetylmethadol, was withdrawn from the European market after being associated with torsade de pointes. To date, no association between methadone and this arrhythmia has been described. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a series of methadone-treated patients experiencing torsade de pointes. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Methadone maintenance treatment programs in the United States and a pain management center in Canada. PATIENTS: 17 methadone-treated patients who developed torsade de pointes. MEASUREMENTS: Chart review for concomitant arrhythmia risk factors and quantification of corrected QT interval (QTc). RESULTS: The mean daily methadone dose was 397 +/- 283 mg, and the mean QTc interval was 615 +/- 77 msec. Fourteen patients had a predisposing risk factor for arrhythmia. A cardiac defibrillator or pacemaker was placed in 14 patients; all 17 patients survived. CONCLUSIONS: This series raises concern that very-high-dose methadone may be associated with torsade de pointes. Given the likely expansion of methadone treatment into primary care, further investigation of these findings is warranted.
PMID: 12230351, UI: 22217087
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BMJ 2002 Sep 28;325(7366):701-3
PMID: 12351366, UI: 22238284
Cephalalgia 2002 Apr;22(3):249; discussion 249-50
PMID: 12047467, UI: 22042924
Cephalalgia 2002 Apr;22(3):201-4
Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
We report two cases of SUNCT that demonstrate the medically and surgically refractory nature of this disorder and support the hypothesis that the causative 'lesion' lies within the central nervous system. After both patients had failed medical therapies, the first underwent a glycerol rhizotomy, gammaknife radiosurgery and microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve. The second patient underwent gammaknife radiosurgery of the trigeminal root exit zone and two microvascular decompression surgeries. Neither patient benefited from these procedures. Currently, the first patient suffers from anaesthesia dolorosa and the second patient from unilateral deafness, chronic vertigo and dysequilibrium as a result of surgical trauma. These cases of SUNCT highlight the uncertainty regarding the role of surgery given the potential for significant morbidity. These cases also suggest that SUNCT originates and may be maintained from within the CNS and this central locus explains why SUNCT is not typically amenable to interventions aimed at the peripheral portion of the trigeminal nerve.
PMID: 12047459, UI: 22042916
Cephalalgia 2002 Apr;22(3):197-200
Headache Section, Neurology Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital de Clinicas da Universidade Federal do Parana, Curitiba, Brazil. piovesan@avalon.sul.com.br
The idiopathic stabbing headache (ISH) is characterized by a stabbing pain of short duration, variable localization and an errant evolution pattern. As its biological mechanisms are unknown and the treatment options are little effective, this disorder shows a strong impact on the patient's life. Two females and one male, aged 76, 66 and 72 years, respectively, started presenting ISH within 20 days after the onset of a stroke. All the patients were treated for the ISH with celecoxib, a COX-2 specific inhibitor, with full recovery from ISH up to 6 days after it was first administered. The interruption of the drug 60 days after the treatment with celecoxib induced again the appearance of algic symptoms in two patients. We concluded that cerebrovascular diseases (CD) can lead to ISH and that the COX-2 inhibitor can be an effective prophylactic drug for ISH after CD.
PMID: 12047458, UI: 22042915
Eur J Anaesthesiol 2002 Sep;19(9):658-65
Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Zentrum Anaesthesiologie, Germany. adams.ha@mh-hannover.de
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To investigate the interactions of postoperative pain and endocrine stress response, three groups of 21 patients each with total knee arthroplasty were compared in a randomized, prospective design. For postoperative pain management, a three-in-one block, an epidural catheter analgesia or an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia was used. METHODS: After standardized balanced anaesthesia, the pain intensity was measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS). For detection of epinephrine, norepinephrine, antidiuretic hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol in the plasma, blood samples were taken at six time points before and up to 180 min after the start of pain therapy. In addition, systolic arterial pressure, heart rate, partial arterial oxygen saturation, nausea, vomiting and satisfaction of the patients were recorded. RESULTS: Within 15 min after the start of pain therapy, VAS in all groups was similarly reduced from >40 mm to a range <10 mm (P < 0.001). Initially, all endocrine stress variables exceeded the normal range. Epidural anaesthesia led to a significant decrease of epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations, while an increase was observed in the group with patient-controlled analgesia, and the decrease in patients with the three-in-one block was less than in patients receiving epidural anaesthesia (P = 0.001). Differences in antidiuretic hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol were less pronounced. Systolic arterial pressure decreased significantly in all groups, particularly in patients with epidural anaesthesia. Partial arterial oxygen saturation and the incidence of nausea and vomiting were comparable. All patients were satisfied with the methods used. CONCLUSIONS: All methods of pain management led to sufficient analgesia, but they were not accompanied by an adequate reduction in endocrine stress response. Thus, postoperative pain is only a secondary stressor and sufficient analgesia with subjective well-being does not prove a stress-free state. With regard to the reduction of sympathoadrenergic stress response, epidural anaesthesia is superior to the three-in-one block and patient-controlled analgesia. Epidural anaesthesia is recommended particularly for high-risk patients with hypertension, coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus. In these patients, the reduction of a 'hidden' endocrine stress response in addition to prevention of pain is of special interest.
PMID: 12243289, UI: 22228003
J Clin Oncol 2002 Oct 1;20(19):4040-9
Medical College of Virginia Campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
PURPOSE: Implantable intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDSs) have been used to manage refractory cancer pain, but there are no randomized clinical trial (RCT) data comparing them with comprehensive medical management (CMM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We enrolled 202 patients on an RCT of CMM versus IDDS plus CMM. Entry criteria included unrelieved pain (visual analog scale [VAS] pain scores >/= 5 on a 0 to 10 scale). Clinical success was defined as >/= 20% reduction in VAS scores, or equal scores with >/= 20% reduction in toxicity. The main outcome measure was pain control combined with change of toxicity, as measured by the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria, 4 weeks after randomization. RESULTS: Sixty of 71 IDDS patients (84.5%) achieved clinical success compared with 51 of 72 CMM patients (70.8%, P =.05). IDDS patients more often achieved >/= 20% reduction in both pain VAS and toxicity (57.7% [41 of 71] v 37.5% [27 of 72], P =.02). The mean CMM VAS score fell from 7.81 to 4.76 (39% reduction); for the IDDS group, the scores fell from 7.57 to 3.67 (52% reduction, P =.055). The mean CMM toxicity scores fell from 6.36 to 5.27 (17% reduction); for the IDDS group, the toxicity scores fell from 7.22 to 3.59 (50% reduction, P =.004). The IDDS group had significant reductions in fatigue and depressed level of consciousness (P <.05). IDDS patients had improved survival, with 53.9% alive at 6 months compared with 37.2% of the CMM group (P =.06). CONCLUSION: IDDSs improved clinical success in pain control, reduced pain, significantly relieved common drug toxicities, and improved survival in patients with refractory cancer pain.
PMID: 12351602, UI: 22239101
J Infect Dis 2002 Oct 15;186 Suppl 1:S83-90
Pain Management Clinic, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol BS2 8HW, United Kingdom. rwjbristol@aol.com
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common complication of herpes zoster, particularly in the elderly and in persons with severe symptoms at presentation. Unless varicella vaccination reduces the incidence of herpes zoster and attenuates the risk and/or severity of complications, PHN will continue to result in significant suffering and remain a consumer of health care and related social support resources. Although there have been useful advances in the management of PHN (e.g., the use of the anticonvulsant gabapentin), some cases remain intractable. Prevention remains the preferred strategy, and antiviral drugs are the most well established means of preventing the development of pain. Other interventions require further evaluation (nerve blocks, acute-phase tricyclic antidepressant or anticonvulsant use). Because prevention of PHN requires early recognition and prompt management of patients presenting with herpes zoster, public education and dissemination of information to all health care personnel involved with the disease are essential.
PMID: 12353192, UI: 22239193
J Infect Dis 2002 Oct 15;186 Suppl 1:S78-82
Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham B9 5SS, United Kingdom. m.j.wood@bham.ac.uk
After herpes zoster, immunocompetent persons frequently experience chronic pain and considerable suffering. Zoster-associated pain has a complex pathophysiology that begins with viral damage and increased sensitization of peripheral sensory neurons. The enhanced afferent barrage from these neurons sensitizes spinal neurons and leads to loss of synapses from descending inhibitory fibers, resulting in central neuropathic pain and allodynia. Antiviral therapy of acute zoster limits this sequence of pathophysiologic mechanisms. There is no clear consensus regarding the optimal means of determining the benefits of antiviral therapy in the management of pain of herpes zoster. A novel statistical approach utilizing rates of disappearace of pain of differing pathophysiologic mechanisms is proposed.
PMID: 12353191, UI: 22239192
J Pain Symptom Manage 2002 Aug;24(2):147
PMID: 12269265, UI: 22228688
Neurology 2002 Sep 10;59(5 Suppl 2):S8-13
Michigan Head-Pain and Neurological Institute, 3120 ProfessionalDrive, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA. aelake3rd@mhni.com
Chronic daily headache (CDH) affects approximately 4 to 5% of the population and encompasses a number of different diagnoses, including transformed migraine, chronic tension-type headache (TTH), new-onset daily persistent headache, and hemicrania continua. Although the pathophysiology of CDH is still poorly understood, some research has suggested that each of the various subtypes of CDH may have a different pathogenesis. The goals of prophylactic therapy are to reduce the frequency, severity, and duration of headache attacks; to improve responsiveness to treatment of acute attacks; to improve function; and to reduce disability. However, opinions differ as to exactly which are the best and most appropriate outcome measures for prophylaxis. Several pharmacologic treatment options exist, including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, serotonin agonists, ergots, serotonin antagonists, antianxiety agents, and other miscellaneous drugs. Tizanidine, an alpha(2)-adrenergic agonist, has recently emerged as a promising prophylactic adjunct for CDH, which implicates a central alpha(2)-adrenergic mechanism as an important factor in the pathophysiology of CDH.
PMID: 12221150, UI: 22209787
Reg Anesth Pain Med 2002 Jul-Aug;27(4):439-41; discussion 441-2
PMID: 12132067, UI: 22127009
Reg Anesth Pain Med 2002 Jul-Aug;27(4):353-6
Department of Anesthesia and Pain Clinic, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium. david.loge@rug.ac.be
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: During spinal cord stimulation there is sometimes a need to replace defective leads. Percutaneous lead replacement by recannulating the epidural space and "steering" the new lead to the prior location is sometimes very difficult, resulting in diminished analgesia. Since fibrous deposits are known to form around epidural catheters and epidural obstructions have been noted with other techniques, we have inserted the new lead through the well-dissected opening in the interspinal ligament. We will report the results of our case series. METHODS: In 11 patients with lead malfunction we reinserted a new electrode into the epidural space by first withdrawing the lead with one hand and inserting the new one through the interspinal ligament with the other. In using this method, we found we could position the new electrode almost identically to the first. In only 3 patients did we experience difficulty in identifying the opening for the insertion. In the successfully cannulated patients identical stimulation parameters and paresthesia areas were obtained. By experimentally injecting contrast dye through an epidural catheter inserted into the interspinal opening and epidural pathway, we could visualize a thin dense line representing the fibrous sheath. CONCLUSION: Foreign bodies in the epidural space lead to fibrous deposits. Spinal cord stimulation, when those deposits form a sheath, the sheath is useful for lead revision. The procedure, if meticulously performed, has a high success rate.
PMID: 12132058, UI: 22127000
Reg Anesth Pain Med 2002 Jul-Aug;27(4):343-52
Department of Anesthesiology, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands. anesthesiologen.arnhem@planet.nl
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It has been claimed that epiduroscopy offers an ideal combination of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in one session. We prospectively evaluated whether abnormalities at the lumbar level as diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are confirmed by epiduroscopy, and assessed if targeted epidural injection of medication alleviates sciatic pain. METHODS: A flexible, 0.9-mm fiberoptic endoscope was introduced through a disposable steering shaft into the caudal epidural space and advanced until the targeted spinal nerve was identified. Adhesions were mechanically mobilized under direct vision, and a mixture of 120 mg methylprednisolone acetate, 600 IU hyaluronidase, and 150 microg clonidine was applied locally. Pain scores were measured by visual analog scale (VAS) and global subjective efficacy rating. RESULTS: Nineteen of 20 patients studied showed adhesions via epiduroscopy. In 8 patients, 6 of whom had never undergone surgery, these were not detected with earlier magnetic resonance imaging. Six patients showed concomitant signs of active root inflammation. Of 20 patients treated with a targeted epidural injection, 11 patients (55%) experienced significant pain relief at 3 months. This was maintained at 6, 9, and 12 months for 8 (40%), 7 (35%), and 7 (35%) patients, respectively. Mean VAS at 3 months was significantly reduced (n = 20; DeltaVAS = 3.55; P <.0001), and this persisted at 12 months (DeltaVAS = 1.99, P =.0073). CONCLUSIONS: Epiduroscopy is of value in the diagnosis of spinal root pathology. In sciatica, adhesions unreported by MRI can be identified. Targeted epidural medication, administered near the compromised spinal nerve, results in substantial and prolonged pain relief.
PMID: 12132057, UI: 22126999
Spine 2002 Jul 1;27(13):1426-31; discussion 1431
Service de Rhumatologie, CHU Pitie-Salpetriere, Paris, France. genevieve.dubourg@psl.ap-hop-paris.fr
BACKGROUND: Although the existence of a motor defect in discogenic sciatica is a sign of severity, the literature does not provide evidence for an immediate requirement for surgery. OBJECTIVE: To assess the course of sciatica with discogenic paresis and to determine possible prognostic factors for recovery or improvement. STUDY DESIGN: This open prospective multicenter study included patients with discogenic sciatica with paresis that had been developing for less than 1 month and was rated < or =3 on a 5-grade scale. Pain, the strength of 11 muscles, return to work, and analgesic intake were assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months. Recovery and improvement were defined by pain not exceeding 20 mm or < or =50% of the initial pain score and a score of either 5 (recovery) or 4 (improvement) for the weakest muscle at inclusion. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were enrolled; 39 (58%) patients were treated surgically and 28 (42%) medically. Surgically treated patients differed from medically treated patients by a higher rate of extruded herniation, a higher number of paretic muscles (6.3 vs. 5; P = 0.051), and a longer course of sciatica (31.4 vs. 17.3 days; P = 0.034). At 6 months, 7 (10.4%) patients were lost to follow-up; 32 (53.3%) had improved, including 18 (30%) recovered, 33 (85%) back to work and having a professional activity, and 22 (39%) still taking analgesics. The only significant difference between recovered and not recovered patients was mean age at inclusion (43 vs. 51 years, P = 0.034). There were no significant differences between improved and not improved patients. Moreover, the outcome was not different in the two treatment groups: there were 17 (53%) improvements in surgically treated patients, including 8 (25%) recoveries, and 14 (56%) improvements in medically treated patients, including 8 (40%) recoveries. CONCLUSION: This pilot study showed no difference between surgical or medical management for recovery or improvement in patients with discogenic paresis. These results need confirmation by a randomized study.
PMID: 12131740, UI: 22127132
Spine 2002 Jul 1;27(13):1402-7
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Surgical Professorial Unit, Mater Misericordiae Hospital Dublin and Dublin University College, Dublin, Ireland. sean.deburca@virgin.net
STUDY DESIGN: Scoliotic and herniated human intervertebral disc tissue obtained intraoperatively was cultured, and the medium was analyzed for the production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine whether the human intervertebral disc is capable of spontaneous production of the chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Lumbar disc herniations undergo spontaneous regression with time. This is believed to occur via macrophage-mediated phagocytosis of herniated disc material. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, a chemotactic agent for macrophages, has recently been identified in rat intervertebral disc tissue. METHODS: Disc material obtained from patients undergoing surgery for scoliosis and sciatica was cultured using a serumless technique, and the medium was subsequently analyzed for levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8. RESULTS: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and IL-8 were detected in both control and herniated disc specimens. Noncontained herniations produced higher levels of chemokines than those with an intact anulus. CONCLUSIONS: Human intervertebral disc tissue is capable of spontaneously producing the proinflammatory chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8. These are chemotactic for macrophages and capillaries and may explain the ingrowth of granulation tissue seen in spontaneous disc herniation resorption.
PMID: 12131736, UI: 22127128
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