The correlation between clinical, nuclear and histologic findings in a patient with Von Recklinghausen's disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNST) are known to develop in patients with Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) resulting in a decreased overall survival. The association between NF1 and the development of such MPNST has been investigated in detail. The biological behaviour however of multiple disseminated neurofibromas in patients with NF1 and the risk factors for malignant transformation remain unknown. Clinical signs are unreliable and additional imaging techniques are therefore required. Of such, positron emission tomography using [¹⁸F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (¹⁸FDG PET) is used to detect malignant changes in neurofibromas.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A case is presented of a patient suffering from NF1 with clinical signs of malignant change and accumulation of ¹⁸FDG in multiple neurofibromas. Histopathological examination of 20 lesions however, did not reveal any malignant features. There was no statistically significant relation between¹⁸FDG accumulation and malignant change, but rather with pain, size and growth.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This case adds to the knowledge of the diverse biological behaviour of neurofibromas in patients with NF1</p

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplementation to treat symptomatic disc degeneration: Biochemical rationale and case report

BACKGROUND: Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate preparations are widely used as food supplements against osteoarthritis, but critics are skeptical about their efficacy, because of the lack of convincing clinical trials and a reasonable scientific rationale for the use of these nutraceuticals. Most trials were on osteoarthritis of the knee, while virtually no documentation exists on spinal disc degeneration. The purpose of this article is to highlight the potential of these food additives against cartilage degeneration in general, and against symptomatic spinal disc degeneration in particular, as is illustrated by a case report. The water content of the intervertebral disc is a reliable measure of its degeneration/ regeneration status, and can be objectively determined by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) signals. CASE PRESENTATION: Oral intake of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate for two years associated with disk recovery (brightening of MRI signal) in a case of symptomatic spinal disc degeneration. We provide a biochemical explanation for the possible efficacy of these nutraceuticals. They are bioavailable to cartilage chondrocytes, may stimulate the biosynthesis and inhibit the breakdown of their extracellular matrix proteoglycans. CONCLUSION: The case suggests that long-term glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate intake may counteract symptomatic spinal disc degeneration, particularly at an early stage. However, definite proof requires well-conducted clinical trials with these food supplements, in which disc de-/regeneration can be objectively determined by MRI. A number of biochemical reasons (that mechanistically need to be further resolved) explain why these agents may have cartilage structure- and symptom-modifying effects, suggesting their therapeutic efficacy against osteoarthritis in general

In vitro gentamicin release from commercially available calcium-phosphate bone substitutes influence of carrier type on duration of the release profile

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) beads releasing antibiotics are used extensively to treat osteomyelitis, but require surgical removal afterwards because they do not degrade.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>As an alternative option, this report compares the <it>in vitro </it>gentamicin release profile from clinically used, biodegradable carrier-materials: six injectable cements and six granule-types. Cement cylinders and coated granules containing 3% gentamicin were submerged in dH₂O and placed in a 48-sample parallel drug-release system. At regular intervals (30, 90, 180 min. and then every 24 h, for 21 days), the release fluid was exchanged and the gentamicin concentration was measured. The activity of released gentamicin was tested on <it>Staphylococcus aureus</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All combinations showed initial burst-release of active gentamicin, two cements had continuous-release (17 days). The relative release of all cements (36–85%) and granules (30–62%) was higher than previously reported for injectable PMMA-cements (up to 17%) and comparable to other biodegradable carriers. From the cements residual gentamicin could be extracted, whereas the granules released all gentamicin that had adhered to the surface.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The high release achieved shows great promise for clinical application of these biodegradable drug-carriers. Using the appropriate combination, the required release profile (burst or sustained) may be achieved.</p

In vitro gentamicin release from commercially available calcium-phosphate bone substitutes influence of carrier type on duration of the release profile-2

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "In vitro gentamicin release from commercially available calcium-phosphate bone substitutes influence of carrier type on duration of the release profile"</p><p>BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2006;7():18-18.</p><p>Published online 26 Feb 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1459860.</p><p>Copyright © 2006 Stallmann et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p

In vitro gentamicin release from commercially available calcium-phosphate bone substitutes influence of carrier type on duration of the release profile-4

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "In vitro gentamicin release from commercially available calcium-phosphate bone substitutes influence of carrier type on duration of the release profile"</p><p>BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2006;7():18-18.</p><p>Published online 26 Feb 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1459860.</p><p>Copyright © 2006 Stallmann et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p

In vitro gentamicin release from commercially available calcium-phosphate bone substitutes influence of carrier type on duration of the release profile-5

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "In vitro gentamicin release from commercially available calcium-phosphate bone substitutes influence of carrier type on duration of the release profile"</p><p>BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2006;7():18-18.</p><p>Published online 26 Feb 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1459860.</p><p>Copyright © 2006 Stallmann et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p

In vitro gentamicin release from commercially available calcium-phosphate bone substitutes influence of carrier type on duration of the release profile-1

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "In vitro gentamicin release from commercially available calcium-phosphate bone substitutes influence of carrier type on duration of the release profile"</p><p>BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2006;7():18-18.</p><p>Published online 26 Feb 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1459860.</p><p>Copyright © 2006 Stallmann et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p

In vitro gentamicin release from commercially available calcium-phosphate bone substitutes influence of carrier type on duration of the release profile-6

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "In vitro gentamicin release from commercially available calcium-phosphate bone substitutes influence of carrier type on duration of the release profile"</p><p>BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2006;7():18-18.</p><p>Published online 26 Feb 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1459860.</p><p>Copyright © 2006 Stallmann et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p

In vitro gentamicin release from commercially available calcium-phosphate bone substitutes influence of carrier type on duration of the release profile-3

<p><b>Copyright information:</b></p><p>Taken from "In vitro gentamicin release from commercially available calcium-phosphate bone substitutes influence of carrier type on duration of the release profile"</p><p>BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2006;7():18-18.</p><p>Published online 26 Feb 2006</p><p>PMCID:PMC1459860.</p><p>Copyright © 2006 Stallmann et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.</p