Impact of temperature on the magnitude and duration of relief after lumbar facets medial branch nerves radiofrequency ablation: a randomized double-blinded study.

Introduction: There are numerous studies appraising the variables that may influence the clinical outcomes after lumbar thermal radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Expanding the lesion size may increase the likelihood of capturing the target nerves in the lesion, thereby increasing the technical success rate of RFA. However, our literature search has failed to identify a consensus on the optimal target temperature.

Patient and physician radiation exposure during minimally invasive lumbar decompression: A prospective assessment of X-ray exposure risks.

Introduction: Minimally invasive lumbar decompression (mild®) is becoming a popular procedure for treating lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) secondary to hypertrophic ligamentum flavum (LF). The mild® procedure is commonly performed under live fluoroscopic guidance and carries a risk of radiation exposure to the patient and healthcare.

Methods: One physician performed mild® on 41 patients at the Cleveland Clinic Department of Pain Management from October 2019 to December 2021, while wearing a radiation exposure monitor (Mirion Technologies).

The Choice of Spinal Cord Stimulation Versus Targeted Drug Delivery in the Management of Chronic Pain: Validation of an Outcomes Predictive Formula.

Objective: In 2020, Mekhail et al published a formula that predicted the likelihood of a successful outcome for those who undergo spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for long-term pain management, based on retrospectively collected clinical and demographic data from one major medical center. The aim of this study is to validate such a predictive formula, prospectively, in a cohort of patients from multiple medical practices that are more representative of real-life clinical practice.

Materials And Methods: For the study, 939 patients who underwent successful SCS or targeted drug delivery (TDD) trials at multiple independent medical centers in the USA were enrolled into the Medtronic product surveillance registry data base before they underwent SCS or TDD device implantation, from 2018 to 2020.

Association Between Oral Pain Medications and Intrathecal Opioid Dose Escalation: A Retrospective Analysis.

Objectives: Patients treated with intrathecal therapy frequently require opioid dose increases to maintain analgesia. The kinetics of intrathecal opioid dose escalation are poorly understood. We hypothesized that antidepressant use, antiepileptic use, and lower baseline oral opioid intake prior to intrathecal pump implantation will be protective against intrathecal opioid dose escalation.

Sorsby Fundus Dystrophy Mutation in Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) promotes Choroidal Neovascularization via a Fibroblast Growth Factor-dependent Mechanism.

Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) leads to loss of vision in patients with Sorsby Fundus Dystrophy (SFD), an inherited, macular degenerative disorder, caused by mutations in the Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) gene. SFD closely resembles age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly population of the Western hemisphere. Variants in TIMP3 gene have recently been identified in patients with AMD.

Low-velocity Gunshot Injuries to the Femur: What Is the Utility of Stabilizing Incomplete Fractures?

Introduction: Extremity involvement is common among nonfatal gunshot injuries. Most of these injuries are low energy in nature and may be associated with fractures. Although displaced fractures of lower extremity long bones are often treated surgically, the purpose of this study was to review our experience in managing incomplete femur fractures caused by gunshot penetration and to develop treatment recommendations.

Infection Rates and Treatment of Low-Velocity Extremity Gunshot Injuries.

Objectives: To determine the rates of infection in low-energy gunshot wounds (GSWs) to the extremity.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Level I trauma center.

Infection and Complications After Low-velocity Intra-articular Gunshot Injuries.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to characterize the demographics, interventions, infection rates, and other complications after intra-articular (IA) gunshot wounds.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Level I trauma center.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 peptides inhibit angiogenesis and choroidal neovascularization in mice.

Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) while originally characterized as inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have recently been shown to have a wide range of functions that are independent of their MMP inhibitory properties. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-3 (TIMP-3) is a potent inhibitor of VEGF-mediated angiogenesis and neovascularization through its ability to block the binding of VEGF to its receptor VEGFR-2. To identify and characterize the anti-angiogenic domain of TIMP-3, structure function analyses and synthetic peptide studies were performed using VEGF-mediated receptor binding, signaling, migration and proliferation.

Microscopic thrombi in anaplastic astrocytoma predict worse survival?

The purpose of this study is to determine whether anaplastic astrocytoma patients with intratumoral vascular thrombi have a worse survival than anaplastic astrocytoma patients without thrombi. A retrospective review of 101 patients (60 males; mean age, 53.3 years) with anaplastic astrocytoma (World Health Organization grade III) was conducted.

Microscopic thrombi in glioblastoma multiforme do not predict the development of deep venous thrombosis.

Patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are known to be at risk for hypercoagulable events. Tumoral intravascular thrombi likely contribute to the development of hypoxia and necrosis. The purpose of this study was to assess whether there is a relationship between the number of thrombi identified microscopically at the time of tumor resection and the subsequent development of extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT).