Evaluation of a spinal needle locking device for use with the combined spinal epidural technique

Success of the 'needle-through-needle' technique for combined spinal epidural analgesia requires the immobilisation of the spinal needle during intrathecal injection. A device that achieves this was evaluated in 200 labouring women, randomly allocated to receive a combined spinal epidural using the CSEcure(R) (SIMS Portex, UK) locking needle or a conventional, non-locking technique. Data collection included the incidence of dural click as the spinal needle penetrated the dura mater, presence of cerebrospinal fluid in the spinal needle hub and the number of technical failures with the spinal component. Successful dural punctures with the spinal needle were similar for locking and non-locking needles (99.0 vs. 98.0%; p = 0.55), despite a small but significant reduction in dural click with the locking needle compared with the non-locking technique (97. 0 vs. 84.7%; p < 0.01). Although not statistically significant, there was a higher number of technical failures, mainly due to spinal needle movement, in the non-locking group (9.1 vs. 3.1%; p = 0.08). The locking needle device may be a useful alternative to conventional methods for combined spinal epidural analgesia.     

Análisis coste-efectividad de samario-153 (Quadramet®) en el tratamiento del dolor en pacientes con cáncer de próstata y metástasis óseas

Objective. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of samarium [¹⁵³Sm-EDTMP] (Quadramet®) compared to conventional therapy in the treatment of pain in patients with prostate cancer and bone metastases. Method. A decision tree model for the treatment of bone pain due to metastases was adapted to the Spanish context. The model represents the standard treatment patterns in Spain for the study population. The time-course of the model is 4 months and it computes an estimate for the cost of pain control per patient. The effectiveness data for the model derive from a randomised trial. The current treatment patterns have been established according to the consensus opinions of a group of medical experts. Results. The cost of pain control per patient is ? 12,515.39 for conventional therapy and ? 5,595.52 for samarium-153 (Quadramet®) therapy. The incremental cost-effectiveness analysis shows that samarium-153 (Quadramet®) is a dominant therapy. It presents lower costs and higher efficacy than the conventional strategy. The sensitivity analyses showed these results to be robust. Conclusion. Samarium-153 (Quadramet®) is costeffective in treating pain in patients with prostate cancer and bone metastases.     

Epididymal metastases as the first sign of a colon cancer recurrence

Metastastic tumours involving the epididymis are rare and most often found in patients with disseminated disease. It is even more unusual when the metastasis of the epididymis is the first sign of tumour recurrence. We report a case of an asymptomatic recurrent colon carcinoma presenting as metastasis in the epididymis. Although metastatic cancer presenting as an intra-scrotal mass is extremely rare, it should be considered as a possibility in patients who present with a mass involving the testicle or epididymis.     

Dental anomalies in cleft lip and palate: A case–control comparison of total and outside the cleft prevalence

This study’s objective was to compare the total and outside the cleft prevalence of dental anomalies (DA) between patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) and a control group. This retrospective cross-sectional study was done under a case–control design. The case group consisted of 192 non-syndromic patients with complete CLP, while the control group included 411 patients. All subjects had orthopantomography, intra, and extraoral photographs. The prevalence of dental agenesis, supernumerary teeth, impacted teeth, dental transposition, and microdontia were compared using a chi-squared test (P < .05). Next, a second test was made, but only the anomalies outside the cleft were considered for this study. Total prevalence was 89.1% for cases, and 20.9% for controls (P < .01). The prevalence of each DA was significantly higher for the case group. In the analysis of DAs outside the cleft, the total prevalence was still significantly associated (P < .01); however, only dental agenesis was statistically significant (P < .01). Further analysis found that a high rate of upper premolar absence (P < .01) could explain this event. Patients with CLP have a higher prevalence of DAs compared to controls. After considering only the DAs outside the cleft, the total prevalence remains significantly higher. However, this phenomenon is explained mainly by the elevated prevalence of upper premolars’ agenesis. This study’s results suggest that environmental factors are behind the high prevalence of DAs in subjects with CLP.     

How the COVID-19 pandemic changed postoperative infections in urology wards: A retrospective cohort study from two urology departments

IntroductionWe aimed to compare the rate of postoperative infection and drug-resistant organism (DRO) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in urology departments.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was carried out. Data from all elective surgical procedures carried out in two urology departments between April and June 2018 and the homologous period in 2020 were collected. Main outcomes were the number of postoperative infections during the pandemic and the number of DROs. Sample size was calculated based on a 50% relative reduction of infections during the pandemic. Variables were compared by Chi-squared test, and multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate predictors.ResultsA total of 698 patients undergoing elective surgery were included. The postoperative infection rate during the pre-pandemic period was of 14.1% compared to 12.1% during the pandemic (p=0.494). DROs were lower during the pandemic (92.3% vs. 52.4%, p=0.002). The pandemic period was the main predictor for reduced multidrug-resistant isolates, with an odds ratio of 0.10 (p=0.010, 95% confidence interval 0.016–0.57).ConclusionsPostoperative infection rates were not significantly reduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the adoption of enhanced infection preventive measures. There was, however, a decrease in the rate of DROs during this period, suggesting a secondary benefit to enhanced infection prevention practices adopted during the COVID-19 era.     

Isolated partial tear of extensor digitorum longus tendon with overlying muscle herniation in acute ankle sports injury: role of high resolution musculoskeletal ultrasound

Lateral Ankle sprain is a common sports-related trauma with the mechanism of injury ranging from inversion to plantar flexion. These injuries commonly affect the ligaments but can also affect the associated soft tissue structures like the eversion muscles and tendons. Prompt and accurate diagnosis of such injuries is warranted so as to ensure early return to play and prevent long-term complications. Lateral ankle sprain injuries in sports may not always be associated with ligament injuries. We report a never before reported case of lateral ankle sprain injury in a soccer player with the unusual finding of isolated partial tear of Extensor digitorum longus muscle and its fascia leading to myo-fascial herniation. The lateral ankle ligaments were intact. The diagnosis was clinched on a high-frequency ultrasound scan supported by dynamic maneuvers which in fact proved to be superior to MRI as the latter failed to demonstrate the myo-fascial herniation in our case. We therefore propose that real-time ultrasound scanning with dynamic maneuvers should be the first line of investigation to assess sports injuries in anatomically complex joints like the ankle.     

Trends in Mortality from Ischemic Heart Disease in the Region of the Americas, 2000–2019

Background:In latest decades, mortality rates from ischemic heart disease (IHD) had declined steadily in most of the world as a consequence of improvements in prevention and therapy.Objective:The aim of this study was to analyze trends in mortality caused by IHD in the region of the Americas from 2000 to 2019.Methods:Estimates of the age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) due to IHD were extracted from the Data Portal on Noncommunicable Diseases, Mental Health, and External Causes (ENLACE), Pan American Health Organization. We used Joinpoint regression to analyze significant changes in mortality trends by country, gender, geographical sub-region, and country income, according to the World Bank classification. We also calculated the average annual percent change (AAPC) mortality rate for the overall period in the Americas as a whole and by country and sub-region.Results:In the region of the Americas, the AAMR from IHD decreased from 117.80 (95% uncertainty interval (UI)) 106.64–135.90) in 2000 to 73.64 (62.65–92.66) per 100,000 in 2019. In males, from 149.08 (95% UI 138.23–168.08) to 96.02 (95% UI 83.48–117.19) and in females 92.36 (95% UI 81.35–109.42) to 54.84 (95% UI 45.28–71.76). The AAPC mortality rate in the region decreased –2.5% (95% CI: –2.7, –2.3), with joinpoints in 2007 and 2012, –2.3% (95% CI: –2.5, –2.1) in men and –2.7% (95% CI: –3.0, –2.5) in women. According to the sub-region analysis, the highest decrease was recorded in North America, AAPC –3.1% (95% CI: –3.3, –3.0) with one joinpoint in 2011, whereas there was a stagnation of the mortality rate in Central America, Mexico, and Latin Caribbean with an AAPC of 0.1 (–0.2, 0.3) with one joinpoint in 2007.Conclusions:Age-adjusted mortality rate from IHD between 2000 and 2019 has decreased in the region of the Americas. However, different trends were observed, North America had the highest reduction in AAPC, while Central America, Mexico, and Latin Caribbean Region had a stagnation. This trend was highly influenced by country income.     

Mecanismos moleculares de los efectos benéficos de la alicina sobre la enfermedad cardiovascular

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) include a group of diseases whose common denominator is the affection of the blood vessels, heart, and heart rate. The treatment of CVD represents high costs to the health systems and is focused on the control of risk factors. Despite the existence of a great variety of treatments of the CVD, these continue as the main cause of mortality mainly due to the multifactorial origin, and therefore more than one drug is required. In this context, allicin, a compound derived from garlic, has shown regulate the expression of signaling pathways and risk factors associated with the progression of CVD. Therefore, the objective of this work is to review the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which allicin exert its therapeutic effects and to describe the scientific evidences why allicin represents a potential candidate to assist in the treatment of CVD.     

Effect of d-amphetamine repeated administration on rat antioxidant defences

The purpose of this study was to evaluate rat tissue antioxidant status after repeated administration of d-amphetamine. Three groups of four rats each were used: control, d-amphetamine sulphate dosed (s.c., 20 mg/kg per day), and pair-fed. After 14 days of d-amphetamine daily administration, superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD and MnSOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GRed), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH), cysteine and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured in liver, kidney, and heart. Various serum and urine parameters were also analysed. d-Amphetamine treatment induced an increase of liver GSH, as well as a decrease of cysteine and MnSOD levels in this organ. A small increase in serum transaminases was also observed in comparison to the pair-fed group. Hepatic levels of TBARS, GPx, GRed and CuZnSOD were found to be similar among the three groups of rats. d-Amphetamine treatment induced an increase of kidney GST, GRed and catalase levels, and an elevation of N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase efflux to the urine, accompanied by a decrease in urinary creatinine, compared to the pair-fed group. In d-amphetamine treated animals, heart cysteine levels were significantly depleted when compared to the pair-fed group, but all three groups of rats were found to have similar heart antioxidant enzyme levels. These results indicate that repeated administration of d-amphetamine caused a certain degree of stress in liver and kidney, which was followed by adaptations of antioxidant defences. The mechanisms involved in d-amphetamine-induced toxicity may explain the different adaptations observed for the studied organs. Received: 19 October 1998 / Accepted: 11 January 1999