Minimally invasive techniques in spinal surgery: current practice.

Minimally invasive spinal surgery under arthroscopic or endoscopic magnification and illumination is emerging as an alternative, reliable method of treatment in a variety of spinal disorders. The operative techniques being used for discectomy and retrieval of herniated disc fragments or stabilization of unstable spinal motion segments are being utilized for visual diagnosis and debridement of infectious discitis and osteomyelitis transpedicular and transforaminal vertebral body biopsy, temporary diagnostic fixation of unstable lumbar motion segments, and transforaminal epidural steroid therapy.

Accuracy of fluoroscopic localization of the Crista terminalis documented by intracardiac echocardiography.

The crista terminalis is an important anatomic target for ablation of atrial arrhythmias. We determined the accuracy of catheter placement guided by fluoroscopy alone when directed to 24 sites along the crista terminalis in 6 patients. The sites selected included the most medial superior, most lateral superior, mid lateral, and most inferolateral sites along the crista terminalis in each patient.

Competency evaluations on the consultation-liaison service. Some overt and covert aspects.

Competency assessments are a growing function of the consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatrist. Such consultation requests often mask a variety of psychosocial issues that are a source of frustration to the referring physician responding to the pressures of the changing health care delivery system in the acute care setting. This study identifies the issues and the outcome of psychiatric consultation in these patients.

A pilot trial of 13-cis-retinoic acid and alpha-tocopherol with recombinant human erythropoietin in myelodysplastic syndrome patients with progressive or transfusion-dependent anemias. The Central Pennsylvania Oncology Group.

A pilot study was performed to determine the efficacy of 13-cis-retinoic acid (CRA) and alpha-tocopherol (AT) with increasing doses of recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) in anemic patients with primary myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), to determine response rate and to determine the dose requirement and long-term effects of rHuEPO therapy on the transition to acute non-lymphocytic anemia and survival of these patients. Twenty-four consecutive MDS patients were entered into the study. Patients were stratified according to their FAB classification at study entry.