Outcomes of Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation of Lumbar Nerves as Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain.

Introduction: Worldwide, 23% of adults suffer from chronic lower back pain, which is defined as pain persisting for more than 3-6 months [Merskey in Can J Psychiatry 34:329-336, 1989]. The lifetime prevalence of back pain is as high as 84% in adults [Casiano VE, Sarwan G, Dydyk AM, et al. Back Pain.

Chronic Candida albicans meningoencephalitis in a patient with mantle cell lymphoma: a diagnostic challenge.

Due to its unspecific clinical presentation and the multitude of possible etiologies, chronic meningoencephalitis in immunosuppressed patients often represents a diagnostic challenge. Here, we report the clinical, radiological, cerebrospinal fluid, and microbiological findings of a 54-year-old male immunocompromised patient with mantle cell lymphoma and a 2-month history of brainstem and spinal meningoencephalitis. After unsuccessful treatment trials with antibiotics, a Candida albicans infection was confirmed by biopsy of a spinal cord lesion and large-volume cerebrospinal fluid culture.

Oligoclonal bands and kappa free light chains: Competing parameters or complementary biomarkers?

Background: The 2024-revised McDonald criteria for multiple sclerosis (MS) proposed to incorporate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-specific oligoclonal bands and kappa free light chains (KFLC) as diagnostic biomarkers. While the 2017-revised criteria highlighted CSF-specific oligoclonal bands to indicate intrathecal IgG synthesis, significantly enhancing early MS diagnosis, KFLC have emerged as additional marker. Now, the question rises of whether both biomarkers serve as competing or complementary tools in MS diagnostics.

Severe subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord resulting from nitrous oxide (N2O) abuse: a case series.

Objective: To describe the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and radiological findings, and the clinical course of seven patients with severe N2O-induced subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord (SACD).

Methods: Retrospective study with prospective follow-up of patients with SACD associated with N2O abuse presenting at a single center between 2014 and 2024.

Results: The median age (range) of the seven patients (one woman, six men) was 24 (18-33) years.

Time-driven cost analysis of pediatric liver biopsy completed in pediatric sedation clinic and operating room.

Background: Pediatric ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous liver biopsy is a commonly performed procedure in children, and may be performed in a variety of clinical settings. However, there is little research on the relative costs associated with different sedation methods and locations.

Objective: This study uses time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) to identify relevant costs associated with different biopsy sedation techniques and locations to help inform providers and patients as well as guide value-conscious care.