Pain reduction in osteoporotic patients with vertebral pain without measurable compression.

Introduction: Non-compression osteoporotic vertebral pain (NCOVP) can also cause pain and severe immobilization, such as typical vertebral compression fracture (VCF). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether patients with NCOVP refractory to medical treatment and severely affecting normal daily activities could be offered therapeutic benefit with percutaneous vertebroplasty.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of the records of consecutive percutaneous vertebroplasty procedures performed at our institutions during a 28-month period to define a population of patients who suffered from severe NCOVP.

Medicare prescription drug cards: effectiveness for patients with glaucoma.

Objective: To assess the level of discounts on glaucoma medications provided by the Medicare prescription drug card program.

Methods: We compared the cost of a 1-month supply of 10 brand-name drugs and 1 commonly prescribed combination of drugs purchased at retail cash price, Medicare card-discounted price, and online price. Retail cash prices were collected through a telephone survey of 36 chain pharmacies in 4 states.

Embolization for intractable epistaxis.

It is estimated that 60% of the population experiences epistaxis at least once in a lifetime, and that approximately 6% of these patients require treatment. We discuss the risks and benefits of an endovascular approach in our experience. We believe this option is often offered too late.

Endovascular treatment of vertebral artery origin lesions.

Endovascular management of vertebral artery stenosis has been shown to have significantly better outcomes than surgical therapy or medical therapy alone. The average mortality is zero and morbidity is about 1%. There is a 97% procedural success rate.