RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of atrophy of the abductor digiti minimi muscle (ADMA), an MRI manifestation of chronic compression of the inferior calcaneal nerve suggesting the clinical diagnosis of Baxter's neuropathy, with MRI markers of potential etiologies, including calcaneal spur formation, plantar fasciitis, calcaneal edema, Achilles tendinosis and posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prevalence of calcaneal spur formation, plantar fasciitis, calcaneal edema, Achilles tendinosis and PTTD was assessed retrospectively on 100 MRI studies with ADMA and 100 MRI studies without ADMA. Patients ranged in age from 10-92 years. Pearson chi-square analyses and Fisher's exact test were used to compare prevalence of the above findings in patients with and without ADMA. Logistic regression was used to determine which variables were significantly associated with ADMA. RESULTS: Among patients with ADMA, there was significantly greater age (57.2 years vs 40.8 years, p<0.001), presence of Achilles tendinosis (22.0% vs 3.0%, P<0.001), calcaneal edema (15.0% vs 3.0%, P=0.005), calcaneal spur (48.0% vs 7.0%, P<0.001), plantar fasciitis (52.5% vs 11.0%, P<0.001), and PTTD (32.0% vs 11.0%, P<0.001). After multivariate logistic regression analysis, only age [odds ratio (OR) 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03, 1.09], calcaneal spur (OR 3.60, 95% CI 1.28, 10.17), and plantar fasciitis (OR 3.35, 95% CI 1.31, 8.56) remained significant. CONCLUSION: Advancing age, calcaneal spur, and plantar fasciitis are significantly associated with ADMA. Their high odds ratios support the notion of a possible etiologic role for calcaneal spur and plantar fasciitis in the progression to Baxter's neuropathy.
Asunto(s)
Fascitis Plantar/patología , Espolón Calcáneo/patología , Músculo Esquelético/patología , Atrofia Muscular/complicaciones , Atrofia Muscular/patología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Niño , Fascitis Plantar/etiología , Femenino , Espolón Calcáneo/etiología , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Retrospectivos , Factores de RiesgoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the rate of malignancy in thyroid nodules discovered incidentally on magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and sonography with the rate of malignancy in nonincidentally discovered nodules. METHODS: All thyroid sonographic and fine-needle aspiration (FNA) procedures performed during a 6-month period were retrospectively reviewed. Study indications were categorized as incidental (thyroid nodules found on magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or sonography performed for nonthyroid indications) or nonincidental (studies prompted by abnormal physical examination findings or laboratory values or signs or symptoms suggestive of thyroid disease). Rates of malignancy in patients with incidentally discovered nodules were compared with rates in patients with nonincidental thyroid abnormalities by the Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Of 225 thyroid sonographic studies, 35 (16%) were performed for incidentally discovered thyroid nodules, and 190 (84%) were performed for evaluation of nonincidental thyroid abnormalities. A total of 21 patients (60%) in the incidental group and 90 patients (47%) in the nonincidental group underwent FNA. The rate of malignancy in nodules examined by biopsy in the incidental group was 17% compared with 3% in the nonincidental group (P = .020). Patient sex, multiplicity of nodules, nodule size, echo texture, and presence of calcifications did not differ significantly between the groups. The mean age of patients in the incidental group was significantly higher (61 versus 51 years; P = .007); however, advanced age was not associated with a greater rate of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified an unexpectedly high rate of malignancy in incidentally discovered thyroid nodules, suggesting that incidentally discovered thyroid nodules should be evaluated with follow-up thyroid sonography and FNA.
Asunto(s)
Biopsia con Aguja Fina/métodos , Nódulo Tiroideo/diagnóstico por imagen , Nódulo Tiroideo/patología , Carcinoma Medular/diagnóstico por imagen , Carcinoma Medular/patología , Carcinoma Papilar/diagnóstico por imagen , Carcinoma Papilar/patología , Diagnóstico Diferencial , Femenino , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Estudios Retrospectivos , Neoplasias de la Tiroides/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias de la Tiroides/patología , Tomografía Computarizada por Rayos X , UltrasonografíaRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The authors compared the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole, a novel antipsychotic, to placebo for treatment of patients in an acute manic or mixed episode of bipolar disorder. METHOD: This 3-week, multicenter, double-blind study randomly assigned 262 bipolar disorder patients in an acute manic or mixed episode to aripiprazole, 30 mg/day (reduced to 15 mg/day if needed for tolerability), or placebo. Patients remained hospitalized for at least 2 of the weeks. The primary efficacy measure was mean change from baseline in total score on the Young Mania Rating Scale; response was defined as a decrease in score of > or =50%. RESULTS: Aripiprazole produced statistically significant mean improvements in total score on the Young Mania Rating Scale compared with placebo (-8.2 versus -3.4, respectively) and produced a significantly higher response rate (40% versus 19%). For key efficacy variables (response per Young Mania Rating Scale; Clinical Global Impression-Bipolar Version scores for severity of illness [mania] and change from preceding phase [mania]), aripiprazole separated from placebo by day 4. The completion rate was significantly higher with aripiprazole than with placebo (42% versus 21%). Discontinuations due to adverse events did not differ significantly between the aripiprazole and placebo groups. There were no significant changes in body weight versus placebo, and aripiprazole was not associated with elevated serum prolactin or QTc prolongation. CONCLUSIONS: Aripiprazole had significantly greater efficacy than placebo for the treatment of bipolar disorder patients in acute manic or mixed episodes and was safe and well tolerated in this randomized controlled trial.
Asunto(s)
Antipsicóticos/uso terapéutico , Trastorno Bipolar/tratamiento farmacológico , Piperazinas/uso terapéutico , Quinolonas/uso terapéutico , Enfermedad Aguda , Adulto , Antipsicóticos/efectos adversos , Aripiprazol , Enfermedades de los Ganglios Basales/inducido químicamente , Trastorno Bipolar/psicología , Método Doble Ciego , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Piperazinas/efectos adversos , Placebos , Quinolonas/efectos adversos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
RATIONALE: Switching patients from one antipsychotic to another can lead to tolerability problems or transient symptom exacerbations. It is important to compare switching strategies to determine which methods produce the best possible patient outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy, safety and tolerability of three dosing strategies for switching chronic, stable patients with schizophrenia from current oral antipsychotic monotherapy to once-daily oral aripiprazole monotherapy. METHOD: Patients in this 8-week, open-label, outpatient study were randomized to: 1). immediate initiation of 30 mg/day aripiprazole with simultaneous immediate discontinuation of current antipsychotic; 2). immediate initiation of 30 mg/day aripiprazole while tapering off current antipsychotic over 2 weeks; or 3). up-titrating aripiprazole to 30 mg/day over 2 weeks, while simultaneously tapering off current antipsychotic. Efficacy assessments included PANSS, CGI-S, and CGI-I scores. Safety assessments included: adverse events (AEs) recording, evaluation of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), vital signs, ECG, and clinical laboratory tests. RESULTS: Efficacy with aripiprazole was maintained during the study with numerical improvements compared with baseline in all three groups. The overall incidence of AEs was broadly comparable across all groups, and AEs were generally mild to moderate in severity and time-limited. Discontinuations due to AEs were comparable across the groups. No deterioration in EPS occurred in any group. The reduction in body weight and plasma prolactin levels following switch to aripiprazole were comparable across the three groups. CONCLUSION: Any of the three strategies evaluated can be used safely for switching patients to aripiprazole from antipsychotic monotherapy. Furthermore, patients' symptoms may continue to improve after switching to aripiprazole.
Asunto(s)
Antipsicóticos/uso terapéutico , Piperazinas/uso terapéutico , Quinolonas/uso terapéutico , Esquizofrenia/tratamiento farmacológico , Adulto , Antipsicóticos/administración & dosificación , Antipsicóticos/efectos adversos , Aripiprazol , Esquema de Medicación , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Piperazinas/administración & dosificación , Piperazinas/efectos adversos , Quinolonas/administración & dosificación , Quinolonas/efectos adversos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine whether significant changes have occurred in the utilization of sonography relative to more expensive cross-sectional imaging techniques in adult patients during a time of increasing reliance on managed care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Use of sonography was compared with use of CT and MR imaging of the abdomen, pelvis, and retroperitoneum in adult patients in 1993 and 1998 at an academic medical center. Clinicians who requested the greatest number of examinations in both years were surveyed to assess their perception of changes in their practice patterns during the interim. RESULTS: Between 1993 and 1998, the use of sonography relative to the other cross-sectional imaging modalities decreased from 56% to 43% (p < or = 0.001). During the same time, CT use increased from 30% to 41% (p < or = 0.001), and MR imaging use increased from 14% to 16% (p < or = 0.001). Survey responses indicated that potential cost saving was not a major factor in physicians' decisions to use sonography rather than other cross-sectional imaging modalities. CONCLUSION: Sonographic utilization decreased during a 5-year period in which managed care provided an increasingly large proportion of overall reimbursement. Cost did not appear to be a major factor in selection of diagnostic tests. Differences over time in refering clinicians' perception of the relative usefulness of sonography, CT, and MR imaging may have contributed to the change in usage patterns.