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Biomedical subjects

L Boccanera

Publications and source records attributed to L Boccanera.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Comparison of the antiinflammatory efficacy of chondroitin sulfate and diclofenac sodium in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy of chondroitin sulfate (CS) in comparison with the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac sodium (DS) in a medium/longterm clinical study in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: This was a randomized, multicenter, double blind, double dummy study. 146 patients with knee OA were recruited into 2 groups. During the first month, patients in the NSAID group were treated with 3 x 50 mg DS tablets/day and 3 x 400 mg placebo (for CS) sachets; from Month 2 to Month 3, patients were given placebo sachets alone. In the CS group, patients were treated with 3 x 50 mg placebo (for diclofenac) tablets/day and 3 x 400 mg CS sachets/day during the first month; from Month 2 to Month 3, these patients received only CS sachets. Both groups were treated with 3 x 400 mg placebo sachets from Month 4 to Month 6. Clinical efficacy was evaluated by assessing the Lequesne Index, spontaneous pain (using the Huskisson visual analog scale), pain on load (using a 4 point ordinal scale), and paracetamol consumption. RESULTS: Patients treated with the NSAID showed prompt and plain reduction of clinical symptoms, which, however, reappeared after the end of treatment; in the CS group, the therapeutic response appeared later in time but lasted for up to 3 months after the end of treatment. CONCLUSION: CS seems to have slow but gradually increasing clinical activity in OA; these benefits last for a long period after the end of treatment.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1989

Osteosynthesis of the cervical spine with an anterior plate.

Osteosynthesis of the cervical spine with an anterior plate is indicated for reconstruction by a bone graft after somatectomy and in anterior fusion for unstable lesions such as fracture dislocations and fractures with severe deformity. In these situations traditional surgery with intersomatic wedged bone grafts may be insufficient and posterior surgery inadequate or risky. The authors report 11 cases of anterior osteosynthesis with a Louis plate, all of which were sufficiently stable to allow early mobilisation and minimal external orthosis. Fusion of the grafts occurred in all cases at long-term follow-up. The method involves a potential risk to the esophagus, which is in close contact with the plate. It must therefore be limited to cases in which the advantages outweigh the risks. The indications, technique, complications and results are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Traumatic cervical radicular lesions.

Isolated traumatic cervical radicular lesions are rare. They constitute only 3% of the neurological lesions due to spinal trauma. A monolateral radicular lesion (Type A) is occasionally associated with medullary damage (Type B), resulting in a more complex neurological syndrome. Type A lesions are caused by flexion/rotation with fracture of the upper part of an articular facet and rotatory dislocation of the vertebra above, or by a pure monolateral dislocation. Reduction by halo traction followed by halo plaster gives good results even when the anatomical result is imperfect. Operative treatment of these lesions is required only in cases which cannot be reduced nonsurgically. Type B myelo-radicular lesions are caused by hyperextension-rotation injuries with displaced fractures of the facets and secondary subluxation. The treatment is surgical; reduction by a posterior approach with fixation by Roy-Camille plates, but must include radicular release by removal of the fractured joint mass.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Stenosis of the lumbar vertebral canal (a study of 25 cases operated on).

A study is presented of 25 cases of stenosis of the lumbar vertebral canal treated surgically by bilateral laminectomy at each affected level. The clinical and radiographic features are described, also the operative technique. Good results were obtained in 84% of the cases followed up for an average period of 3 years.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Multiple operations on the lumbar spine. A study of 15 patients operated on 3 times or more for an initial diagnosis of prolapsed disc.

This is a study of 15 patients who have been operated on three or four times after an initial diagnosis of prolapsed lumbar disc. Four main causes have been distinguished; recurrent prolapse, spinal stenosis, arachnoiditis and vertebral instability. The final results of these multiple operations have been assessed as worthwhile in 73% of cases. Several factors in this case material have been identified as important in determining the satisfactory end results.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Surgical treatment of isthmic spondylolisthesis in adults. Review of 44 cases with long-term control.

The results are presented of 44 cases of isthmic spondylolisthesis in adults treated surgically. The Authors consider three groups treated by: A) surgery to free the nerve roots, B) posterior fusion with or without freeing of the nerve roots, C) posteriorlateral fusion. After an analysis of the techniques at present in use for the treatment of spondylolisthesis, the Authors conclude that, in adults, posteriorlateral fusion produces a high percentage of successes with low risk.

Adult↗