Intramuscular Hemangioma Mimicking Myofascial Pain Syndrome : A Case Report

Intramuscular hemangioma, an infrequent but important cause of musculoskeletal pain, is often difficult to establish the diagnosis clinically. This report describes a case of a 32-yr-old woman who presented with severe left calf pain for 10 yr. Initial conservative treatments consisting of intramuscular electrical stimulation, herb medication, acupuncture, and intramuscular lidocaine injection under the diagnosis of myofascial pain syndrome in other facilities, failed to alleviate the symptoms. On physical examination, there was no motor weakness or sensory change. Conventional radiography of the leg revealed a soft tissue phlebolith. Conventional angiography study showed hemangioma. Intramuscular hemangioma within the soleus muscle was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Following surgical excision of the hemangioma, the patient's symptom resolved completely. Intramuscular hemangioma is a rare cause of calf pain and should be considered in the differential diagnosis if a patient with muscle pain, particularly if associated with a soft tissue mass, fails to respond to conservative treatment

STrengthening the REporting of Genetic Association Studies (STREGA)— An Extension of the STROBE Statement

Julian Little and colleagues present the STREGA recommendations, which are aimed at improving the reporting of genetic association studies

Thalidomide in Low Intermittent Doses Does Not Prevent Recurrence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Aphthous Ulcers

A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of thalidomide in reduced, intermittent doses for preventing recurrences of oral and esophageal aphthous ulcers in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Forty-nine HIV-infected patients whose ulcers previously had healed as a result of thalidomide therapy were randomly assigned to receive either 100 mg of oral thalidomide or placebo 3 times per week for 6 months. Ulcers recurred in 14 (61%) of 23 thalidomide-randomized patients, compared with 11 (42%) of 26 placebo-randomized patients, with no significant difference in the median time to recurrence of ulcers (P = .221). There were no changes in plasma levels of HIV RNA, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and soluble TNF receptor II at the time of ulcer recurrence. Adverse events among patients treated with thalidomide included neutropenia (5 patients), rash (5 patients), and peripheral sensory neuropathy (3 patients). Thalidomide in lower intermittent doses is ineffective at preventing recurrence of aphthous ulcers in HIV-infected persons