Anulus fibrosus in bulging intervertebral disks

In this investigation the association of radial tears of the anulus fibrosus and bulging of the intervertebral disk was studied. An index of disk bulging was measured in sagittal anatomic sections in 149 lumbar disks from 31 cadavers. The indexes of disk bulging were correlated with stages of disk development and the presence of an annular tear. The largest disk-bulging indexes were always associated with radial tears of the anulus. Eighty-four percent of the disks with radial tears had disk-bulging indexes greater than 2.5 mm. Most normal adult disks had an index of less than 2.5 mm. The results challenge the concept that the anulus fibrosus is intact in bulging disks, although ruptured in herniated disks.     

Short report: treatment of Helicobacter pylori-associated duodenal ulcer with omeprazole plus antibiotics

Omeprazole heals most duodenal ulcers after 4 weeks of treatment but relapse is common. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori is associated with reduced rate of ulcer relapse. This study investigates the effect of omeprazole with antibiotics in H. pylori-associated duodenal ulceration. Forty-three patients with endoscopically proven duodenal ulcer and H. pylori entered this study. Treatment consisted of 20 mg omeprazole daily (four weeks) and seven days (first week) treatment with 400 mg metronidazole t.d.s. and 500 mg tetracycline t.d.s. Four weeks after completing the treatment, 81 % (35143) had a healed duodenal ulcer, and 58% (25/43) had H. pylori eradication. In those who healed, at one year 21 remained H. pylori-negative, 12 had persistent H. pylori infection and 2 had re-infection. The ulcer relapse rate at one year was 26%: of the 9 who relapsed, 6 had persistent infection, 2 were re-infected, and only 1 was H. pylori-negative. This combination therapy of antibiotics with omeprazole successfully eradicates Helicobacter pylori and has a lower ulcer replase than omeprazole alone.