Safety and efficacy of vardenafil, a selective phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, in patients with erectile dysfunction and arterial hypertension treated with multiple antihypertensives.

Introduction: Vardenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, was evaluated in a prospective trial in the primary care setting involving hypertensive men with ED who were receiving at least one antihypertensive medication.

Aims: To investigate the safety and efficacy of flexible-dose vardenafil therapy compared with placebo in PDE5 inhibitor-naïve subjects with arterial hypertension and ED.

Methods: In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 354 patients received placebo or vardenafil (5-20 mg) for 12 weeks.

Partial percutaneous discectomy for treatment of thoracolumbar disc protrusion: retrospective study of 331 dogs.

Objectives: To determine retrospectively the prognosis and outcome for dogs diagnosed with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease treated with partial percutaneous discectomy (PPD).

Methods: Three hundred and thirty-one dogs presenting with symptoms of thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease from 1998 to 2003 were treated with PPD. Diagnosis and location of intervertebral disc disease was confirmed by clinical examination, radiography, myelography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Soft-copy reading of digital chest radiographs: effect of ambient light and automatic optimization of monitor luminance.

Objective: We sought to evaluate whether soft-copy reading of simulated pulmonary chest lesions is influenced by ambient light and automatic optimization of cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor luminance.

Materials And Methods: Four types of simulated lesions (nodules, lines, micronodules, and patchy opacities) were superimposed over an anthropomorphic chest phantom. Lesion detection with soft-copy reading was assessed using a high-contrast grayscale 2K CRT monitor under the following conditions: (1) subdued lighting (<50 lux); (2) normal lighting conditions (450 lux) without, and (3) with a sensitivity modulation to automatically adjust the CRT luminance to the increased amount of ambient light.

Treatment of 10 dogs with discospondylitis by fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous discectomy.

Ten dogs suffering from discospondylitis were treated by percutaneous discectomy and local and systemic antibiotic therapy. With fluoroscopic guidance, a cylinder 5 mm in diameter was removed from the centre of the intervertebral space, yielding a fenestration and decompressing the disc without producing any spinal instability. The causative bacteria were identified in nine of the 10 biopsy specimens, but in only three urine cultures and four blood cultures.

[Cauda equina compression syndrome (CECS): retrospective study of surgical treatment with partial dorsal laminectomy in 86 dogs with lumbosacral stenosis].

We report our results of partial lumbosacral laminectomy for treatment of canine Cauda equina Compression Syndrome due to a lumbosacral stenosis. Opposite to conventional techniques of dorsal laminectomy, only widening of the Spatium interarcuale is performed. This is achieved by exstirpation of the Lig.