Bone edema on magnetic resonance imaging is an independent predictor of rheumatoid arthritis development in patients with early undifferentiated arthritis.

Objective: To study magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a tool for early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with early undifferentiated arthritis (UA).

Methods: Patients (n = 116) without a specific rheumatologic diagnosis, but with ≥2 tender joints and/or ≥2 swollen joints among the metacarpophalangeal, proximal interphalangeal, wrist, or metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints for >6 weeks but <24 months, underwent clinical, biochemical, conventional radiographic, and MRI examinations and were followed up for >12 months for the final diagnosis of RA or non-RA. Based on univariate analyses, clinical, biochemical, and imaging parameters were selected for inclusion as explanatory variables in multiple logistic regression analysis, with development of RA as the dependent variable.

[Lumbar disk prolapse surgery with or without free fat transplantation. A prospective triple-blind randomized study].

The aim of this prospective triple-blind randomized study was to determine if a free fat transplant used in operation in lumbar disc herniation could reduce the degree of intraspinal scar tissue and to evaluate whether the scar tissue could lead to symptoms. Ninety-nine patients were subsequently examined after median 376 days. The clinical outcome was scored using the Low Back Pain Rating Scale.

First-time operation for lumbar disc herniation with or without free fat transplantation. Prospective triple-blind randomized study with reference to clinical factors and enhanced computed tomographic scan 1 year after operation.

Study Design: This prospective triple-blind randomized study of 99 patients concerned the use of free fat transplantation for operation for lumbar disc herniation.

Objective: To subsequently examine the patients after median 376 days who were subjected to enhanced computed tomographic scan.

Summary Of Background Data: In studies on experiments with animals, the degree of intraspinal scar tissue has shown to be reduced in connection with free fat transplantation.

Retroperitoneal fibrosis treated with methylprednisolon pulse and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

The conventional treatment of patients with ureteric obstruction due to retroperitoneal fibrosis (RF) is surgery in combination with long-term corticosteroids. This report describes 11 cases of RF with ureteric obstruction treated with methyl-prednisolon pulse therapy (MPPT) in combination with azathioprine or penicillamine following initial insertion of ureteral stents. The medial treatment suggested was successful in 7 patients, but only moderately effective in the last 4 patients.

Low Back Pain Rating scale: validation of a tool for assessment of low back pain.

Low Back Pain Rating scale is an index scale which includes measurements of pain intensity, disability, and physical impairment. The scale was designed to monitor the outcome of clinical trials of low back pain treatment. It has been validated in 58 patients following first-time discectomy.