[Epiduroscopy].

This article introduces the equipment used for epiduroscopy and describes its indications, procedures for use, treatment outcomes, the potential complications and future developments. Epiduroscopy is used in the treatment and diagnosis of intractable low back and leg pain in patients in whom nerve block is not efficacious and when pain recurs after operation. The characteristics of epiduroscopy are that it is: 1) safe and less invasive; 2) used for endoscopic washing of the epidural space and fluoroscopic X-ray; 3) it allows injection of an agent into the lesion; and 4) it results in no change in the normal lumbar structure after operation.

Interadductor approach to obturator nerve block for transurethral resection procedure: comparison with traditional approach.

Purpose: We compared the interadductor approach of obturator nerve block with the traditional approach in terms of the insertion-adductor contraction interval (ICI), success rate, completion of the block, and plasma lidocaine concentration.

Methods: An obturator nerve block by the interadductor approach was performed by needle insertion 1 cm behind the adductor longus tendon and 2 cm lateral to the pubic arch in 12 patients, and by the traditional approach in 12 patients.

Results: The ICI with the interadductor approach was significantly shorter than that with the traditional approach.

The effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor drugs on morphine-induced spastic paraparesis after a noninjurious interval of spinal cord ischemia in rats.

Unlabelled: We have previously demonstrated that intrathecal morphine given after a noninjurious interval of spinal cord ischemia induced transient spastic paraparesis in a rodent model. However, the mechanism of this paraparesis is unknown. We hypothesized that morphine inhibits gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons that control the tonus of spinal cord alpha-motoneurons and that inhibition of spinal cord interneurons may cause spastic paraparesis.