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Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) is a clinical disorder with a prevalence of 85%. It is characterized by the presence of trigger points, and all people experience it at least once in their lives. Different physiotherapy and medical methods are used to manage MPS. Intramuscular electrical stimulation (IMES) is a relatively new treatment option for MPS. This study aims to examine the effect of IMES on clinical and ultrasound imaging parameters related to trigger points in patients with MPS.

This is a case series clinical trial. Twelve participants with trigger points in their upper trapezius muscles participated in this study. They were treated three times per week with IMES. Before and after the intervention, pain and cervical spine range of motion (ROM) were measured with the visual analog scale and goniometry. Ultrasonic parameters (longitudinal diameter and the area of trigger points, and the thickness of the upper trapezius muscle) were assessed with B-mode ultrasound imaging technique. The pre-test and post-test values were compared using the paired t-test. The significance level was set at 0.05.

After three sessions of IMES, pain and cervical spine ROM improved significantly (P<0.05). All ultrasound imaging parameters, including trigger points’ longitudinal diameter and area and upper trapezius muscle thickness, decreased significantly compared to baseline (P<0.05).

IMES seems to have promising effects on clinical and ultrasound imaging parameters of patients with MPS. Further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to investigate the long-term effects of IMES with the inclusion of a matched control group.

 Biolaser is an emerging technology, which has attracted the attention of many surgeons and specialists in different medical fields.

 This study aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of ultrasound-guided biolaser radiation versus ozone therapy in reducing chronic pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis during a three-month follow-up.
Patients and

 Sixty patients referring to pain clinic of Shohadaye-Tajrish and Akhtar hospitals in 2017, were included in this randomized single-blind clinical trial study. According to a randomized table of numbers, in Biolaser group (n = 30): 10 mL of normal saline + 5 mL of lidocaine 1% + BioLaser + Physical Therapy and in the Ozone group (n = 30), received 10 mL Ozone (30 mic/mL) plus 5 mL lidocaine 1% + BioLaser placebo + Physical Therapy received. The patients were evaluated for pain using VAS and knee function with KOOS questioner. The patients were followed up 4 & 12 weeks and reviewed at weeks 12 after the injection by an observer who was unaware of the groups (IRCT20111121008146N15).

 Comparison of the mean age (56.8 ± 8.5 years in the biolaser group vs. 51.5 ± 5.4 years in the ozone therapy group; P = 0.721) and body mass index (31.1 ± 3.4 kg/m2 in the biolaser group vs. 30.5 ± 2.6 kg/m2 in the ozone therapy group; P = 0.214) did not indicate any significant differences between the two groups. The pain severity decreased significantly at different times in the biolaser and ozone therapy groups (P = 0.018). The knee pressure sensitivity score was 1.3 ± 0.5 in the biolaser group and 1.6 ± 0.4 in the ozone therapy group at 12 weeks post-treatment (P = 0.037). The knee circumference was also 35.6 ± 3.0 cm in the biolaser group and 39.7 ± 3.9 cm in the ozone therapy group at 12 weeks post-treatment (P = 0.032). The KOOS performance score was 46.9 ± 9.4 in the biolaser group and 49.3 ± 7.9 in the ozone therapy group (P = 0.187). Besides, the KOOS quality of life score was 10 ± 1.3 in the biolaser group and 10.4 ± 1.5 in the ozone therapy group (P = 0.586).

 Biolaser therapy under ultrasound guidance was found to be a safe, non-invasive, and effective method, which could improve chronic pain in knee osteoarthritis during a three-month follow-up.

Transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate is the most common modality used to diagnose prostate cancer.. The aim of this study was to evaluate the optimal number of cores at prostate biopsy, which have the most diagnostic value with least adverse effects..Patients and Materials: Transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) guided biopsy was performed in 180 patients suspicious for prostate cancer due to either abnormal rectal examination or elevated PSA. The patients were divided randomly into three groups of six-core, twelve-core and eighteen-core biopsies. The detection rate of prostate cancer in each group with the rate of post biopsy urinary infection and prostatitis were compared.. Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 8 (13.3%), 21 (35%) and 24 (40%) patients in six, twelve and eighteen core biopsy groups, respectively. Urinary tract infection and prostatitis occurred in 17 (28.3%), 23 (38.3%) and 35 (58.3%) patients in six, twelve and eighteen core biopsy groups, respectively. Considering the detection rate of prostate cancer, there was a significant difference between 6 and 12 core biopsy groups (P = 0.006) and 12-core biopsies detected more cases of prostate cancer, but there was no significant difference between 12 and 18 core biopsy groups (P = 0.572). Considering the infection rate, there was no significant difference between 6 and 12 core biopsy groups (P = 0.254), but there was a significant difference between 12 and 18 core biopsy groups (P = 0.028) and infectious complications occurred more frequently in 18-core biopsy group.. The best balance between detection rate of prostate cancer and infectious complications of biopsies achieved in twelve-core biopsy protocol. Twelve-core biopsy enhances the rate of prostate cancer detection with minimum adverse effects..