Search

Background and Objective: Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder characterized by the presence of trigger points. Among the treatment options, botulinum toxin injections have been investigated. The aim of this paper was to provide a synthesis of the evidence on intramuscular botulinum toxin injections for upper back MPS. Databases and Data Treatment: A systematic review of the literature was performed on the PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane Library, using the following formula: ("botulinum") AND ("musculoskeletal") AND ("upper back pain") OR ("myofascial pain"). Results: Ten studies involving 651 patients were included. Patients in the control groups received placebo (saline solution) injections, anaesthetic injections + dry needling or anaesthetic injections. The analysis of the trials revealed modest methodological quality: one "Good quality" study, one "Fair" and the other "Poor". No major complications or serious adverse events were reported. Results provided conflicting evidence and did not demonstrate the superiority of botulinum toxin over comparators. Most of the included trials were characterized by a small sample size, weak power analysis, different clinical scores used and non-comparable follow-up periods. Even if there is no conclusive evidence, the favourable safety profile and the positive results of some secondary endpoints suggest a potentially beneficial action in pain control and quality of life. Conclusion: The currently available studies show conflicting results. Their overall low methodological quality does not allow for solid evidence of superiority over other comparison treatments. Further insights are needed to properly profile patients who could benefit more from this peculiar injective approach. Significance: The randomized controlled trials included in this review compared using botulinum toxin to treat upper back MPS with placebo or active treatments (e.g., dry needling or anaesthetics) showing mixed results overall. Despite the lack of clear evidence of superiority, our study suggests that the use of botulinum toxin should not be discouraged. Its safety profile and encouraging results in pain control, motor recovery and disability reduction make it an interesting treatment, particularly in the subset of patients with moderate to severe chronic pain and active trigger points. To support the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin, further high-quality studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: post-operative laryngeal pain (POLP) is frequent and embarrassing. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of endotracheal tube balloon (ETB) inflation with alkalinized lidocaine in the prevention of the POLP. Methods: we conducted a prospective, single-center, double-blind, randomized study including patients undergoing general anesthesia with tracheal intubation (OTI) with an expected duration of less than 240 min. Patients were divided into two equivalent groups: lidocaine (GL) group: patients with ETB inflated with alkaline lidocaine and the control group (GT): patients whose ETB was inflated with normal saline solution. The primary endpoint was the incidence of POLP in the first 24 hours after surgery and the secondary endpoint was the incidence of cough, dysphonia and postoperative vomiting, postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in the first 24 hours after surgery. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS software version 25. The difference was considered significant when p< 0.05. Results: the study included 60 patients randomized into 2 groups of 30 patients each. Both groups were comparable with regard to their demographic and anesthetic criteria. ETB inflation with alkalinized lidocaine reduced the incidence of POLP, cough, dysphonia and PONV. No cases of balloon rupture or lidocaine toxicity were reported. Conclusion: ETB inflation with alkaline lidocaine prevents POLP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenteric abscess caused by chryseobacterium meningosepticum is an extremely rare clinical entity, most often found in immunodeficient patients. Castleman disease can manifest as a mesenteric abscess. We here report the case of a 23-year-old patient admitted with generalized acute peritonitis evolving over the last 2 weeks. Abdominal ultrasound showed hypoechoic mass in the intestinal loops, without any further details. During laparotomy, pus was found in the large cavity, a mesenteric abscess was detected in the mesentery of the jejunum 35 cm from the angle of Treitz, without loop perforation and mesenteric adenopathy was found in corresponence with the abscess. Pyoculture isolated chryseobacterium meningosepticum. Histological analysis of mesenteric adenopathy biopsies showed structural anomalies, suggesting hyaline vascular type of Castleman disease. Treatment was based on incision and drainage of the abscess, with pyogenic membrane removal and abdominal cavity lavage with physiological saline solution. Chryseobacterium meningosepticum was only susceptible to Ciprofloxacin. The postoperative course was simple and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 10 after surgery. Clinical and paraclinical follow-up at 12 months did not show any other lymphadenopathy or recurrence. The purpose of this study is to show an extremely rare case of mesenteric abscess due to chryseobacterium meningosepticum associated with isolated mesenteric Castleman disease in an immunocompetent patient and management approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]