Analysis of scapular muscle EMG activity in patients with idiopathic neck pain: a systematic review.

It is proposed that altered scapular muscle function can contribute to abnormal loading of the cervical spine. However, it is not clear if patients with idiopathic neck pain show altered activity of the scapular muscles. The aim of this paper was to systematically review the literature regarding the differences or similarities in scapular muscle activity, measured by electromyography ( = EMG), between patients with chronic idiopathic neck pain compared to pain-free controls.

[Diagnostic image (369). A Crohn patient with vomiting and diarrhoea].

A 79-year-old woman who had been treated surgically for Crohn's disease long ago, presented with vomiting and diarrhoea due to intestinal obstruction by 2 enteroliths.

[Colostomy as a cause of deviation colitis in a blind-ended bowel segment].

Two women aged 63 and 53 who had undergone colostomy for faecal incontinence, presented a few months later complaining of anal blood and mucous loss. On sigmoidoscopy, a previously healthy section of colorectum seemed to be inflamed. Local treatment with hydrocortisone and mesalazine and oral prednisolone did not relieve the symptoms.

Smoking impairs rectal mucosal bloodflow--a pilot study: possible implications for transanal advancement flap repair.

Transanal advancement flap repair has been advocated as the treatment of choice for trans-sphincteric perianal fistulas, because it enables the healing of almost all fistulas without sphincter damage and consequent continence disturbance. After initial promising reports, recently less favorable results have been reported. It remains unclear why there is such a large variety in the reported healing rates.

Effect of isosorbide dinitrate ointment on anal fissure.

Background/aims: Until recently, the treatment of choice for anal fissure was surgery, consisting of a partial lateral internal sphincterotomy. This treatment has a high complication rate: impaired continence is reported in 8-30% of the patients in the literature. Therefore, recently nonsurgical treatment modalities have been developed, such as local application of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) ointment.