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Percutaneous ultrasound guided thrombin injection: a new method for treating postcatheterization femoral pseudoaneurysms.

PURPOSE: Since its introduction in 1991, ultrasound guided compression repair of postcatheterization femoral artery pseudoaneurysms has been shown to be effective. Disadvantages of ultrasound guided compression repair include patient discomfort during compression, inability to treat noncompressible pseudoaneurysms, prolonged use of ultrasound equipment and personnel, limited success with patients being treated with anticoagulants, and some early recurrences. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate a new method of treating femoral pseudoaneurysms, percutaneous ultrasound guided thrombin injection. METHODS: Under duplex ultrasound guidance, a 22- or 25-gauge needle was percutaneously positioned within the pseudoaneurysm. Without compressing the pseudoaneurysm, 0.5 to 1 ml thrombin solution (1000 U/ml) was injected to induce thrombosis. Early in the study, the procedure was modified to allow more than one injection. After successful thrombosis, the patients were kept at rest in bed for at least 1 hour. Duplex ultrasound examination was repeated in 1 to 4 days. Distal pulses and ankle-brachial indexes were measured before and after the procedure. RESULTS: Twenty of 21 consecutive pseudoaneurysms were successfully treated with thrombin injection. Fifteen pseudoaneurysms thrombosed immediately (<20 seconds) after one injection. The other five had partial thrombosis after one injection and complete thrombosis immediately after a second injection. The one failure occurred in a patient who had only one injection and then underwent subsequent ultrasound guided compression repair, which failed. No patient required sedation or analgesia during thrombin injection. There were no procedure-related complications and no recurrences. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous ultrasound guided thrombin injection appears to be a safe and expeditious method for treating postcatheterization femoral pseudoaneurysms. It has significant advantages with respect to ultrasound guided compression repair or surgical repair.

Adult↗

Prevalence of methadone injection in three Swiss cities.

OBJECTIVE: Intravenous methadone is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. A previous report from a methadone center in Fribourg, Switzerland, found a high prevalence (43%) of patients who injected oral methadone. We therefore wished to assess the prevalence of methadone injection among patients in oral methadone programs in 3 other Swiss cities--Lausanne, Geneva, and La Chaux-de-Fonds. METHOD: Subjects were randomly selected and interviewed by assistant psychologists who were not on the staff of the study centers. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. RESULTS: 164 patients participated in the study (n = 58 in Lausanne, 52 in Geneva, and 54 in La Chaux-de-Fonds). The prevalence of methadone injection was low (5%) and did not differ significantly between the cities. DISCUSSION: Less liberal policies cannot explain the lower prevalence of methadone injection in these three centers than in Fribourg. The high prevalence of methadone injection there is probably related to its separate methadone injection program: patients in oral methadone programs may be more likely to injection methadone when other patients authorized to do so. IN CONCLUSION: Although the 5% prevalence of methadone injection found in the 3 cities surveyed is low, it is not negligible. These results suggest that information on the risks associated with injection of methadone syrup should be provided to all methadone maintenance. This information is especially necessary when maintenance therapy is provided in the same center, or city as injectable methadone maintenance.

Adolescent↗

Anesthetic efficacy of the intraosseous injection of 0.9 mL of 2% lidocaine (1:100,000 epinephrine) to augment an inferior alveolar nerve block.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the anesthetic efficacy of an intraosseous injection of 0.9 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine to augment an inferior alveolar nerve block in mandibular posterior teeth. STUDY DESIGN: With the use of a repeated-measures design, each of 38 subjects randomly received one or the other of 2 combinations of injections at 2 separate appointments. The combinations were inferior alveolar nerve block + intraosseous injection (on the distal of the second premolar) through use of 0.9 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine and inferior alveolar nerve block + mock intraosseous injection. The first molar, second premolar, and second molar were blindly tested with an Analytic Technology pulp tester at 2-minute cycles for 120 minutes postinjection. Anesthesia was considered successful when 2 consecutive 80 readings were obtained. RESULTS: One hundred percent of the subjects had lip numbness with the inferior alveolar nerve block + intraosseous injection combination technique. The respective anesthetic success rates for the inferior alveolar nerve block + mock intraosseous injection combination and the inferior alveolar nerve block + intraosseous injection combination were 60% and 100% for the second premolar, 71% and 95% for the first molar, and 74% and 87% for the second molar. The differences were significant (P < .05) for the second premolar through 50 minutes and for the first molar through 20 minutes. There were no significant (P > .05) differences for the second molar. Sixty-eight percent of the subjects had a subjective increase in heart rate with the intraosseous injection. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that the supplemental intraosseous injection of 0.9 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, given distal to the second premolar, significantly increased the success of pulpal anesthesia in the second premolar (for 50 minutes) and first molar (for 20 minutes) in comparison with the inferior alveolar nerve block alone. The intraosseous injection did not statistically increase success in the second molar.

Adolescent↗

Anesthetic efficacy and heart rate effects of the supplemental intraosseous injection of 2% mepivacaine with 1:20,000 levonordefrin.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the anesthetic efficacy and heart rate effects of a supplemental intraosseous injection of 2% mepivacaine with 1:20,000 levonordefrin. STUDY DESIGN: Through use of a repeated-measures design, 40 subjects randomly received 3 combinations of injections at 3 separate appointments. The combinations were as follows: inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block (with 3% mepivacaine) + intraosseous injection of 1.8 mL of 2% mepivacaine with 1:20,000 levonordefrin; IAN block + intraosseous injection of 1.8 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine (positive control); IAN block + mock intraosseous injection (negative control). Each first molar, second molar, and second premolar was blindly tested with a pulp tester at 2-minute cycles for 60 minutes after injection. Anesthesia was considered successful when 2 consecutive readings of 80 were obtained. Heart rate (pulse rate) was measured with a pulse oximeter. RESULTS: One hundred percent of the subjects had lip numbness with the IAN block + intraosseous mock technique and IAN block + intraosseous techniques. The anesthetic success rates for IAN block + mock intraosseous injection, IAN block + intraosseous lidocaine, and IAN block + intraosseous mepivacaine, respectively, were as follows: 80%, 100%, and 100% for the first molar; 90%, 100%, and 100% for the second molar; 77%, 97%, and 97% for the second premolar. For the first molar and second premolar, the differences were significant (P< .05) when the intraosseous mepivacaine and lidocaine techniques were compared with the IAN block + mock intraosseous injection. There were no significant differences between the intraosseous mepivacaine and lidocaine techniques. Eighty percent of the subjects had a mean increase in heart rate of 23-24 beats per minute with the intraosseous injection of the mepivacaine and lidocaine solutions; there were no significant differences between results with the 2 solutions. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that intraosseous injection of 1.8 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine or 2% mepivacaine with 1:20,000 levonordefrin, used to supplement an IAN block, significantly increased anesthetic success in first molars and second premolars. The 2 solutions were equivalent with regard to intraosseous anesthetic success rate, failure rate, and heart rate increase after IAN block.

Adult↗

Hepatitis B and C viral infections in Indian kala-azar patients receiving injectable anti-leishmanial drugs: a community-based study.

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses have emerged as major blood-borne infections. Several cases of infections through the use of unsterile injection needles also are on record. Kala-azar, or visceral leishmaniasis, is a hemoparasitic disease caused by Leishmania donovani. All the anti-kala-azar medications require multiple intramuscular injections of the anti-leishmanial drugs. To find whether these patients were at higher risk of contracting blood-borne infection, than those who were not on medication, a community-based study was conducted in the kala-azar-endemic state of Bihar, India. METHODS: Five villages (4050 families) of three highly endemic districts of Bihar were included in this study. The sociodemographic data of the affected families and their annual income were determined as per Government of India guidelines. The diagnosis of kala-azar and its sequelae, post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), was made, and their therapeutic details were noted. All the leishmania-infected patients, their spouses, family members, and villagemates were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C virus antibodies, and anti-HIV (1 + 2) antibodies, using commercially available kits. RESULTS: Of the 4050 families, 61 (1.5%) were found affected with kala-azar or PKDL. These 61 families had 77 cases of leishmaniasis, of which 64 (83%) had kala-azar and 13 (17%) PKDL. The most affected (4.5%) age group was 11 to 40 years. Of the 61 families, 57 (93.4%) families belonged to so-called untouchable castes, and 9 of them could not afford to have any anti-kala-azar treatment. Only 64 patients received treatment in the form of injectables. The number of injections received by these patients ranged from 3 to 120. Hepatitis B and C viral infections were found to be significantly more prevalent in those who received multiple injections. Compared to their male counterparts infected with L. donovani, females who received injectable medicines were at higher risk of contracting hepatitis B infections (20% vs. 11.3%) and hepatitis C virus infection (26.7% vs. 18.9%). Overall, hepatitis C virus infections were more common (20.6%) than hepatitis B virus infection (13.2%) in this group of patients. Villagemates with a history of injections for other ailments also were found to have a high rate of infection with hepatitis viruses. One patient with kala-azar was found to be co-infected with HIV, although probably not related to injections. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of Indian kala-azar and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis consists of multiple intramuscular injections of sodium stibogluconate, pentamidine, or amphotericin B. Though the original disease gets cured, all these therapeutic regimens were found to carry a significantly high risk of transmitting yet more dangerous blood-borne infections, such as HIV and hepatitis B and C viruses, through the shared use of unsterile injection needles. All needles should be appropriately sterilized, if they are to be re-used.

Adolescent↗

A re-investigation of the behavioural effects of intracerebral injection in marmosets of cytopathic cerebrospinal fluid from patients with schizophrenia or neurological disease.

In experiments designed to investigate transmission, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with schizophrenia or neurological disease (Huntington's disease) which had been found to induce a cytopathic effect (CPE) in human embryonic fibroblast cell culture was injected intracerebrally into common marmosets. Behavioural observations were made on the animals during a period of 2 1/2 years prior to injection and for 2 1/2 years after injection. In an earlier study (Baker et al. 1983 b) we found that animals injected with CPE + ve CSF became progressively more inactive when compared with those injected with non-cytopathic (CPE -ve) CSF from control patients. In the present study we were unable to replicate this finding. No difference in behaviour emerged between animals injected with control CSF and animals injected with CSF from schizophrenics or patients with neurological disease, nor between animals injected with CPE + ve CSF and animals injected with CPE -ve CSF. The numbers of offspring produced and surviving did not differ between the groups. We conclude that the original findings were due to factors unconnected with the nature of the injected material.

Animals↗

Synergistic effect of formulated plasmid and needle-free injection for genetic vaccines.

PURPOSE: A plasmid-based gene expression system was complexed with protective, interactive, and non-condensing (PINC) polymer system and administered with Medi-Jector, a needle-free injection device (NFID), to achieve high and sustained levels of antigen-specific antibodies in blood circulation. METHODS: Human growth hormone (hGH) or bacterial beta-galactosidase gene expression plasmids driven by a cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter were formulated in saline or complexed with a PINC polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and intramuscularly or subcutaneously administered into dogs and pigs using a 22-gauge needle or a NFID. The hGH-specific IgG titers in serum were measured by an ELISA. Beta-galactosidase expression was measured in injected muscles by an enzymatic assay or immunohistochemistry. The effect of NFID on DNA stability and topology was assessed by gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Intramuscular (i.m.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of a hGH expression plasmid pCMV-hGH (0.05-0.5 mg/kg) in dogs and pigs elicited antigen-specific IgG antibody titers to expressed hGH. With both routes of injection, pDNA delivery by a NFID was superior to pDNA injection by needle. The magnitude of hGH-specific IgG titers with NFID was 15-20-fold higher than needle injection when pDNA was complexed with PVP, and only 3-4-fold higher with pDNA in saline. The transfection efficiency in the injected muscle, as measured by beta-galactosidase expression, following i.m. injection of pCMV-betagalactosidase/PVP, was not significantly different between needle and NFID-injected groups. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that the combination of pDNA/ PVP complexes and a NFID act synergistically to achieve high and sustained levels of antigen-specific IgG response to expressed antigen. This gene delivery approach may offer advantage over needle injection of naked DNA for the development of genetic vaccines.

Animals↗

Development of blastocyst-stage embryos after round spermatid injection in patients with complete spermiogenesis failure.

PURPOSE: Our purpose was to evaluate the progression of embryos derived from round spermatid injection to the blastocyst stage and compare the results with those obtained by the use of testicular or epididymal spermatozoa. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with azoospermia enrolled in this study. In 29 patients with obstructive or nonobstructive azoospermia, spermatozoa were recovered from epididymis or testis. In the remaining nine cases with nonobstructive azoospermia, only round spermatids were found in seven, whereas in two of the patients, there were no elongated or round spermatids. Six of these cases underwent round spermatid injection. RESULTS: Twenty-one of 29 patients with injection of spermatozoa underwent embryo transfer on day 3, and 10 pregnancies (47.6%) were obtained. In eight cycles, embryos were further cultured for delayed transfer. In six cases undergoing round spermatid injection, no transfer was performed on day 3 and extended culture with delayed embryo transfer was applied. The mean number of fertilized oocytes and mean number of embryos on day 3 and also the fertilization rate and mean number of good-quality embryos on day 3, mainly grade 1 or 2, were statistically significantly higher in the spermatozoa group than the round spermatid injection group. Compared to the spermatozoa group, the number of arrested embryos was significantly higher and the number of blastocyst-stage embryos and number of good-quality blastocysts were significantly lower in the spermatid injection group. No blastocysts developed in two spermatid cycles and embryo transfer was not possible, and in the remaining four cycles, after at least one blastocyst transfer, no pregnancies were achieved. However, in eight cycles with extended culture in the spermatozoa group, embryo transfers were achieved in all and three pregnancies, for a pregnancy rate of 37.5%, were obtained after blastocyst transfer. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results showed that round spermatid injection was associated with a significantly lower fertilization and embryo development rate and a significantly higher developmental arrest rate compared with the injection of spermatozoa. Extended culture and delayed embryo transfer did not improve the clinical outcome after round spermatid injection, and these results suggested a developmental failure in embryos preventing successful implantation after round spermatid injection.

Adult↗

Riolan's muscle: action and indications for botulinum toxin injection.

PURPOSE: To study the effect of injecting botulinum toxin into the region of Riolan's muscle in three conditions, namely the typical form of essential blepharospasm, the palpebral form of essential blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. METHOD: Six patients with the typical form of essential blepharospasm and 4 patients with the palpebral form of essential blepharospasm, all of whom had previously been treated with conventional bilateral periorbital injections, were treated with injections of the toxin into the region of Riolan's muscle at the medial and lateral extremities of the upper lids. Thirty patients with hemifacial spasm, all of whom had previously been treated with conventional periorbital injections, were treated with injections of the toxin into the region of Riolan's muscle at the medial and lateral extremities of the upper lid on the affected side. RESULTS: Five of 6 patients with typical essential blepharospasm preferred the Riolan's injections and one had no preference. All of the four patients with the palpebral form of essential blepharospasm preferred the Riolan's injections. They, previously, had hardly been able to open their eyes. Twenty-six of the patients with hemifacial spasm preferred the Riolan's injections; the other 4 decided to continue with periorbital injections. The amount of toxin used in this new method of treatment is considerably less than that used in conventional methods for these diseases. CONCLUSION: Riolan's injections of botulinum toxin are the preferred modality of treatment for all types of blepharospasm and cost considerably less.

Blepharospasm↗

Multiplexed detection of nitrate and nitrite for capillary electrophoresis with an automated device for high injection efficiency.

A simple automated nanoliter scale injection device which allows for reproducible 5 nL sample injections from samples with a volume of <1 microL is successfully used for conventional capillary electrophoresis (CE) and Hadamard transform (HT) CE detection. Two standard fused silica capillaries are assembled axially through the device to function as an injection and a separation capillary. Sample solution is supplied to the injection capillary using pressure controlled with a solenoid valve. Buffer solution flows gravimetrically by the junction of the injection and separation capillaries and is also gated with a solenoid valve. Plugs of sample are pushed into the space between the injection and separation capillaries for electrokinectic injection. To evaluate the performance of the injection device, several optimizations are performed including the influence of flow rates, the injected sample volume and the control of the buffer transverse flow on the overall sensitivity. The system was then applied to HT-CE-UV detection for the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) improvement of the nitric oxide (NO) metabolites, nitrite and nitrate. In addition, signal averaging was performed to explore the possibility of greater sensitivity enhancements compared to single injections.

Automation↗

Mast cell recruitment after subcutaneous injection of RANTES in the sole of the rat paw.

The effect of hrRANTES was studied after the injection in the sole of the rat paw, an area particularly rich in mast cells. Subcutaneous injections of RANTES 50 ng/10 microl produced an erythematous reaction which was inhibited by anti-RANTES antibody 50 microg/rat injected in the tail vein 30 min before hrRANTES 50 ng/10 microl was injected. In another set of experiments the animals were injected subcutaneously in the sole of the paw with PBS 10 microl (control), LPS (100 ng/10 microl) hrRANTES 50 ng/10 microl or anti-RANTES 50 microl/rat injected in the tail vein 30 min before hrRANTES 50 ng/10 microl was injected. The biopsies were analysed after 4 h and counted in an optic field. hrRANTES produced a strong recruitment of mast cells selectively coloured with 0.1% toluidine blue and inhibited by anti-RANTES antibody. In addition to the optical and electron microscope study, in some of the excised tissue Northern blot analysis for histidine decarboxylase (HDC) mRNA was performed to estimate the amount of histamine generation in the tissue of the injection sites. We found that subcutaneous injections of hrRANTES 50 ng/10 microl in the sole of the rat paw produced an accumulation of a great number of mast cells compared to PBS 10 microl (negative control) or LPS 100 ng/10 microl (positive control) after 4 h. The hrRANTES effect was inhibited by anti-RANTES antibody injected in the tail vein 30 min before hrRANTES exposure. Moreover, hrRANTES increased HDC mRNA and histamine generation.

Animals↗

Fibrosarcomas at presumed sites of injection in dogs: characteristics and comparison with non-vaccination site fibrosarcomas and feline post-vaccinal fibrosarcomas.

Fifteen fibrosarcomas, surgically excised from presumed sites of injection in dogs, and 10 canine fibrosarcomas excised from sites not used for injection were histologically and immunohistochemically compared with 20 feline post-vaccinal fibrosarcomas. Canine fibrosarcomas from presumed injection sites were of grade I (3), of grade II (4) and grade III (8). Two fibrosarcomas from non-injection sites were of grade I, four of grade II and four of grade III. Feline samples were classified as grade I (2), grade II (4) and grade III (14). All fibrosarcomas from presumed injection sites of both species showed lymphocytic inflammatory infiltration located at the tumour periphery, while two canine fibrosarcomas from non-injection sites showed perivascular inflammatory infiltration within the neoplasm. All samples were immunohistochemically examined for vimentin, smooth muscle actin, muscle specific actin and desmin expression. All tumours were positive for vimentin. Ten canine fibrosarcomas from presumed injection sites and all feline samples contained cells consistent with a myofibroblastic immunophenotype. Aluminium deposits were detected in eight canine fibrosarcomas from presumed injection sites and 11 feline post-vaccinal fibrosarcomas by the aurintricarboxylic acid method. The present study identifies distinct similarities between canine fibrosarcomas from presumed injection sites and feline post-vaccinal fibrosarcomas, suggesting the possibility of the development of post-injection sarcomas not only in cats, but also in dogs.

Animals↗

Periurethral collagen injection: a long-term follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the long-term success of the periurethral injection of collagen (Contigen(R), Bard UK) in women with genuine stress incontinence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-one women with genuine stress incontinence were enrolled in a trial of periurethral collagen injections between 1 September 1990 and 31 August 1992. They were assessed at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after the last collagen injection. In 1998, their notes were reviewed, and a standardized questionnaire was sent to 46 women who were still alive and had undergone no further anti-incontinence surgery. RESULTS: Of the 53 women who were either known failures or who had follow-up information beyond 5 years, 26% were subjectively improved. Women who had a maximum urethral closure pressure of >20 cmH2O and those who had urinary incontinence for <10 years before their first injection were more likely to have had long-term success. There was no correlation between long-term success and the number of previous operations, body mass index, age or preoperative pad loss. Neither the number of injection sessions, total volume of collagen injected nor perceived bulking at the time of surgery affected long-term success rates. Of the 14 women who considered themselves subjectively improved, seven had daily incontinence and only one was completely dry. Urinary retention and urinary tract infection were the most common complications. In addition, one woman reported a flare-up of her skin test and transient 'flu-like symptoms 2 weeks after the injection, and one woman developed a right upper lobe pneumonia 2 weeks after the collagen injection. CONCLUSION: The long-term results of periurethral collagen injections are disappointing. We found no evidence to support the use of periurethral collagen injections in women with intrinsic sphincter deficiency, who had a higher failure rate than those with hypermobility. Further research is essential to develop agents that are not immunogenic, produce minimal inflammatory response and yet are durable.

Adult↗

Treatment of proximal plantar fasciitis with ultrasound-guided steroid injection.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided steroid injection for the treatment of proximal plantar fasciitis and to evaluate mechanical properties of the heel pad after steroid injection. DESIGN: Proximal plantar fascia and heel pad were assessed with a 10-MHz linear array ultrasound transducer. Pain intensity was quantified with a tenderness threshold (TT) and visual analog scale (VAS). The transducer was incorporated into a specially designed device to measure mechanical properties of the heel pad. Evaluations were performed before injection and at 2 weeks and 3 months after injection. SETTING: An outpatient clinic of a tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Fourteen consecutive patients with unilateral proximal plantar fasciitis. INTERVENTION: Ultrasound-guided injection of 7 mg betamethasone and 0.5 mL of 1% lidocaine into the inflamed proximal plantar fascia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: VAS, TT, heel pad and plantar fascia thickness, and echogenicity of the proximal plantar fascia on sonogram were assessed. Mechanical properties included unloaded heel pad thickness, compressibility index, and energy dissipation ratio. RESULTS: Both VAS score +/- standard deviation (SD; 5.43 +/- 2.03, 1.39 +/- 2.19, 0.57 +/- 1.40 at the 3 measurements, respectively) and TT +/- SD (5.05 +/- 1.42, 9.34 +/- 1.84, 9.93 +/- 1.98 kg/cm2 at the 3 measurements, respectively) improved significantly (p < .001) after steroid injection. The mean thickness of the plantar fascia was greater in the symptomatic side than in the asymptomatic side before treatment (0.58 +/- 0.13 cm vs 0.40 +/- 0.11 cm, p < .001). The thickness had decreased significantly 3 months after injection (0.46 +/- 0.12 cm at 2 weeks, 0.42 +/- 0.10 cm at 3 months, p < .001). The hypoechogenicity at the proximal plantar fascia disappeared after steroid injection (p < .001). Mechanical properties of the heel pad did not change 3 months after steroid injection (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound offers an objective measurement of the therapeutic effect on proximal plantar fasciitis. Accurate steroid injection under ultrasound guidance can effectively treat proximal plantar fasciitis without significant deterioration of the mechanical properties of the heel pads.

Adult↗

Autologous blood injections for refractory lateral epicondylitis.

PURPOSE: Most nonsurgical treatments for lateral epicondylitis have focused on suppressing an inflammatory process that does not actually exist in conditions of tendinosis. An injection of autologous blood might provide the necessary cellular and humoral mediators to induce a healing cascade. The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the results of refractory lateral epicondylitis treated with autologous blood injections. METHOD: Twenty-eight patients with lateral epicondylitis were injected with 2 mL of autologous blood under the extensor carpi radialis brevis. All patients had failed previous nonsurgical treatments including all or combinations of physical therapy, splinting, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, and prior steroid injections. Patients kept personal logs and rated their pain (0-10) and categorized themselves according to Nirschl staging (0-7) daily. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 9.5 months (range, 6-24 mo). After autologous blood injections the average pain score decreased from 7.8 to 2.3. The average Nirschl stage decreased from 6.5 to 2.0. For the 9 patients receiving more than one blood injection the mean pain score and Nirschl stage before injection were 7.2 and 6.6, respectively. After the second blood injection the pain and Nirschl scores were both 0.9. Two patients received a third blood injection that brought both pain and Nirschl scores to 0. CONCLUSIONS: After autologous blood injection therapy 22 patients (79%) in whom nonsurgical modalities had failed were relieved completely of pain even during strenuous activity. This study offers encouraging results of an alternative minimally invasive treatment that addresses the pathophysiology of lateral epicondylitis that has failed traditional nonsurgical modalities.

Adult↗

Manometrically-guided endoscopic injection of botulinum toxin for esophageal achalasia: a pilot trial.

AIMS: Some patients gained only short-term response (< 6 months) after botulinum toxin (BTX) injection for achalasia. This may be due to an incorrect site of injection when targeting the lower esophageal sphincter by using endoscopic landmarks only. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 7 elderly patients (4 females, 67 +/- 20 years) with classical achalasia received manometrically-guided botulinum toxin injection by means of a double-channel endoscope. Thereafter, they were clinically re-evaluated at 6 weeks and later on at bi-monthly intervals. RESULTS: The mean symptom score decreased 6 weeks after the manometrically-guided BTX-treatment from 12 +/- 2 (before BTX) to 6 +/- 2 points (p = 0.02). However, according to the study criteria one patient did not respond to BTX-injection and underwent subsequent cardiomyotomy. The LES-resting pressure was found not to be altered in this patient (6 weeks after BTX-injection) but manometry revealed a marked decrease of the LES-tone in 3 other patients who benefitted from BTX-injection. 5 of the 6 patients, who initially benefited from BTX-injection, relapsed 10 months (range, 6-13 months) after their initial BTX-treatment. They all were treated with repeated BTX-injections. At completion of the study (1.5-year follow-up) the mean symptom score of the 6 patients was still significantly lower (6 +/- 2 points) than before study entry (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Manometrically-guided endoscopic BTX-injection is a simple, safe and highly effective (during 1.5-year follow-up) technique for treatment of esophageal achalasia. With the manometrically-guided injection technique one may obtain a longer lasting symptomatic response than with the traditional method of BTX-application.

Adult↗

[Propofol-LCT versus propofol-MCT/LCT with or without lidocaine - a comparison on pain on injection].

OBJECTIVE: A disadvantage of Propofol (commercial preparation containing long-chain triglycerides; Propofol-LCT) is pain on injection, which is reported by 54 - 100 % of the patients. Many different approaches have been used in an attempt to decrease the pain on injection of propofol. The currently most efficacious treatment is lidocaine given intravenously with a tourniquet prior to Propofol injection. In previous studies, larger concentrations of free propofol in the aqueous phase of an emulsion were associated with more pain on injection. A new formulation of propofol (a mixture of long-chain and medium-chain triglycerides in the carrier emulsion; Propofol-MCT/LCT) reduces the incidence of pain on bolus injection. This study was designed to investigate, whether the use of Propofol-MCT/LCT alleviates pain on injection to a similar degree as pretreatment with lidocaine. METHODS: Eighty patients (ASA I - III) were randomly assigned to four groups according to a double-blinded protocol, to receive either lidocaine 2 % or normal saline given iv. with a 60 seconds tourniquet time before the injection of Propofol-LCT or Propofol-MCT/LCT. (group 1: 2 ml NaCl 0,9 %, Propofol-LCT; group 2: 2 ml NaCl 0,9 %, Propofol-MCT/LCT; group 3: 2 ml lidocaine 2 %, Propofol-LCT; group 4: 2 ml lidocaine 2 %, Propofol-MCT/LCT). Assessment of pain on injection was performed after 30 % of the induction dose was given. RESULTS: Pain on injection caused by Propofol-LCT with pre-treatment of lidocaine and Propofol-MCT/LCT alone is shown to be equivalent. Comparison of Propofol-MCT/LCT with pre-treatment of lidocaine and Propofol-LCT alone shows a statistical noticeable p-value of 0.035. Propofol-MCT/LCT with pre-treatment of lidocaine suggests a tendency of causing less pain compared to Propofol-MCT/LCT. Analysis of the postoperative questionnaire supplies no significant difference. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that pain on injection is reduced equivalent using either Propofol-MCT/LCT alone or Propofol-LCT with pre-treatment of lidocaine. Pre-treatment with lidocaine before Propofol-MCT/LCT seems to have an additional effect.

Adult↗

[Contrast media pressure injection using a portal catheter system--results of an in vitro study].

PURPOSE: Are implanted central venous port catheters suitable for contrast media pressure (power) injection in computed tomography? MATERIAL AND METHODS: In an in vitro study 100 ml of contrast medium (Ultravist 370, Schering, Berlin, Deutschland) was injected through 20 different port catheter systems using a power injector (Stellant, Medrad, Inianola, USA) with a pressure limit of 325 PSI. The injection rate was increased from 2 ml/s to 10 ml/s in increments of 2 ml/s. The maximum injection pressure and maximum injection rate were assessed. RESULTS: An injection rate of 2 ml/s was possible in all catheter systems. Injection rates of 4 ml/s in 18 systems, 6 ml/s in 13 systems and 8 ml/s in 6 systems were achieved. With a given pressure limit of 325 PSI an injection rate of 10 ml/s was not possible in any of the port catheter systems. There were no catheter ruptures, catheter disconnections or contrast extravasations noted. CONCLUSION: Power injection of contrast media with a pressure limit of 325 PSI seems to be tolerated by port catheter systems. Most of the evaluated port systems allow flow rates suitable for multislice computed tomography requiring rapid contrast injection.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗