Is it time to put traditional cold therapy in rehabilitation of soft-tissue injuries out to pasture?

Cold therapy has been used regularly as an immediate treatment to induce analgesia following acute soft-tissue injuries, however, a prolonged ice application has proved to delay the start of the healing and lengthen the recovery process. Hyperbaric gaseous cryotherapy, also known as neurocryostimulation, has shown the ability to overcome most of the limitations of traditional cold therapy, and meanwhile promotes the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects well, but the current existing studies have shown conflicting results on its effects. Traditional cold therapy still has beneficial effect especially when injuries are severe and swelling is the limiting factor for recovery after soft-tissue injuries, and therefore no need to be entirely put out to pasture in the rehabilitation practice. Strong randomized controlled trials with good methodological quality are still needed in the future to evaluate the effects of different cryotherapy modalities.     

The impact of whole-body cryotherapy on lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PurposeWhole-body cryotherapy (WBC) is an already proven method of supportive therapy in somatic medicine. Emerging evidence suggests that WBC might exert beneficial effects on lipid profile; however, studies in this field have provided mixed findings.ObjectiveWe aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies investigating the impact of WBC on lipid profile.MethodsElectronic databases (the MEDLINE, the ERIC, the CINAHL Complete, the International Pharmaceutical Abstracts as well as the Academic Search Ultimate and the Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition) were searched from their inception until 25th April 2020. Meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models and Hedges g’ was calculated as the effect size estimate.ResultsWe identified seven eligible studies. Pooled data analysis revealed significantly lower levels of triglycerides after WBC. Sensitivity analysis also demonstrated significantly lower levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) after removing single studies. Meta-regression analysis showed that lower baseline body mass index (BMI) was significantly associated with greater changes in the levels of total cholesterol and LDL during WBC.ConclusionsOur findings imply that WBC may exert beneficial effects on the lipid profile in terms of lowering the levels of total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides. Lower BMI may predict a greater improvement of lipid profile during WBC. However, caution should be taken as to the way our results are being interpreted due to low number of studies and considerable methodological heterogeneity of studies included in our meta-analysis.     

Efficacy and safety of superficial cryotherapy for alopecia areata: A retrospective,comprehensive review of 353 cases over 22 years

Alopecia areata (AA) affects anagen hair follicles, resulting in non‐scarring hair loss. Since introduced by Huang et al., superficial cryotherapy has been accepted as a considerable primary therapeutic modality for AA. The aim of this study was to objectively clarify the therapeutic efficacy and safety of superficial hypothermic cryotherapy for treatment of AA. Medical records of 353 patients from 1993 to 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the response to the superficial cryotherapy, patients were categorized into four groups: “marked”, “partial”, “poor” and “no recovery”. The marked and partial recovery groups were considered as responders. The proportions of the responders among patient subgroups which were defined by various patients, disease, and treatment factors were compared. Of the patients, 60.9% were classified as responders after 3 months of superficial hypothermic cryotherapy. The proportion of the responders were higher when the treatment interval was 2 weeks or less and in the incipient disease stage, with statistical significance. No severe side‐effects other than mild pain and pruritus were reported. In conclusion, superficial cryotherapy is an effective and safe therapeutic modality for AA. Especially when the treatment interval is 2 weeks or less and in the first occurrence of the disease, the therapeutic outcome is superior.     

孔源性视网膜脱离外路显微手术的临床观察

目的观察孔源性视网膜脱离外路显微手术的临床效果。方法对32例孔源性视网膜脱离患者的32只眼，在手术显微镜直视下进行视网膜放液或不放液，视网膜裂孔及变性区冷凝，硅胶块填压和／或环扎，术后观察视力恢复及视网膜复位情况。结果手术显微镜下患眼视网膜冷凝呈灰白色均清晰可见，无严重手术并发症。1次手术后视网膜完全复位30只眼，占93．4％，再次外路手术复位2只眼。结论孔源性视网膜脱离行外路显微镜直视下手术，具有简单方便直观、效果良好、成功率高等优点。     

脑肿瘤的冷热治疗及其热学问题分析

脑内肿瘤因牵涉大量丰富的血管、神经及存在血脑屏障,其临床治疗有一定特殊性,以采用副作用小的物理疗法较为安全.此方面,冷热治疗可望发挥重要作用.本文对脑肿瘤的冷、热疗机理进行了分析对比,讨论了其中一些亟待解决的关键热学问题,并展望了该领域的发展前景.     

液氮冷冻联合Nd:YAG激光对兔耳静脉作用的效果观察

目的:观察液氮冷冻联合Nd:YAG激光照射对兔耳静脉的作用,评估该方法治疗静脉畸形的可行性。方法:将65只白兔随机分为4组。A、B、C为实验组,每组20只;D组为空白对照组,5只。以兔耳背中央静脉为实验模型,A组行液氮冷冻及Nd:YAG激光照射,B组行液氮冷冻,C组行Nd:YAG激光照射,D组不做处理。分别于实验处置后1、3、7、14、21 d对兔耳背中央静脉进行大体、光镜及电镜观察。结果:A组静脉血管内皮细胞、管壁平滑肌及构架结构均有明显损伤破坏,管腔内血栓形成,最终静脉闭锁。B、C组虽有血管内皮细胞损伤及血栓形成,但随后血栓逐渐溶解,血管修复。结论:冷冻联合激光照射对兔耳静脉有较强的损伤作用,具有治疗静脉畸形的可能性。     

Depigmentation therapies for normal skin in vitiligo universalis

If vitiligo involves most of the body, it might be easier to depigment the normal remaining skin rather than to attempt repigmentation. We reviewed the literature to date regarding available therapies for depigmenting the normal skin in vitiligo universalis. Our review revealed that the threshold regarding what percentage of body surface area qualifies as depigmentation is variable among practitioners. Monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone (MBEH) is the most widely used depigmenting agent and has few side‐effects. Tretinoin in combination with MBEH is able to speed depigmentation of the skin. Monomethylether of hydroquinone has also been used successfully for depigmentation. Eighty‐eight per cent phenol is also effective in depigmenting the skin but its application on large areas is toxic for liver and kidney. Different types of lasers are also available to destruct the melanocytes selectively, but this technique can be painful and expensive. Cryotherapy is a cheap depigmenting therapy but, because of scarring risk, it should only be used by experienced dermatologists. No trials have compared the efficacy of the above‐mentioned well‐established depigmentation agents/techniques. Certain drugs such as imatinib, imiquimod and diphencyprone, which are used to treat other diseases, caused depigmentation as a side‐effect. Some depigmentation agents used for branding cattle can also serve as topical depigmentation agents. In conclusion, comparative clinical trials are needed to compare the efficacy of various depigmentation agents/techniques. In particular, topical imatinib, imiquimod and diphencyprone may be considered as potential depigmenting agents, which require further investigation. This review revealed that MBEH is safe and effective depigmenting agent.     

动脉栓塞联合冷冻消融对晚期肾癌患者免疫功能的影响

目的探讨选择性肾动脉栓塞术(transcatheter renal arterial embolization,TRAE)联合氩氦冷冻消融治疗对晚期肾癌患者外周血CD4+、CD25+调节性T细胞(Treg)的影响及临床意义。资料与方法晚期肾癌患者44例,分别于治疗前、后1～6个月取外周血,流式细胞仪检测外周血T淋巴细胞亚群(CD3+T、CD4+T、CD8+T、CD4+T/CD8+T、NK细胞、Treg细胞)变化情况;术后1个月采用增强MRI或CT或正电子发射体层摄影(PET-CT)评价肿瘤坏死情况。结果治疗后3个月Treg细胞比例[(3.36±1.12)%]与术前[(4.75±1.66)%]比较明显降低,差异具有统计学意义(t=16.865,P<0.01);CD3+T、CD4+T、CD4+T/CD8+T、NK细胞比例较术前明显增高,CD8+T细胞比例明显降低(P<0.01)。治疗后3～6个月CD3+T、CD4+T、CD4+T/CD8+T、NK、CD8+T、Treg细胞比例无明显变化,呈稳定趋势(P>0.05)。治疗后Treg细胞比例下降程度与肿瘤负荷下降程度呈正相关(r=0.944,P<0.01)。结论晚期肾...     

Treatment of Melasma with Intralesional Tranexamic Acid Versus Cryotherapy

Background Melasma is a relatively common, acquired facial skin disorder of hyperpigmentation. Though it occurs in both sexes, nearly 90% of patients are female. It manifests as hyperpigmented macules and patches distributed symmetrically on the face, neck, and, rarely, the upper limbs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of intralesional injection of tranexamic acid (TA) versus cryotherapy in the treatment of melasma.MethodsPatients were divided into two groups: Group A and Group B. Group A comprised 28 patients aged 27 to 50 years. They received localized intralesional injections of TA. According to Wood’s light examination, patients were divided into two subtypes; 13 patients with mainly dermal-type melasma and 15 patients with mainly mixed-type melasma. Family history was obtained in 12 patients. Group B comprised 28 patients aged 29 to 46 years were included. They were treated with cryotherapy. According to Wood’s light examination, the patients were divided into two subtypes of melasma; 8 patients with mainly dermal-type melasma and 10 patients with mainly mixed-type melasma.ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences between Group A and Group B according to contraception, sun exposure, and family history. There was a statistically significant difference between Group A and Group B according to previous treatment. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups according to drug allergy. There were no statistically significant differences according to systemic disease or general examination.ConclusionIntralesional tranexamic acid is a safe and effective method for the treatment of melasma with no risk of PIH, thrombosis, or bleeding; however, more sessions with longer follow-up periods are recommended, as the final response may take several months to occur. Cryotherapy was neither safe nor effective due to the risk of PIH.