solitary plasmacytoma of bone is a rare malignant tumor mostly involving the axial skeleton. the tumor occurs in middle- aged or elderly people (mean age: 55 years) and has a high risk of progression to multiple myeloma. radiotherapy is the preferred treatment for this disease. we report a case of recurrent solitary plasmacytoma of the fourth lumbar vertebra in a 35-year-old male. the patient s...

1. Frontal lobotomy is an effective procedure for the relief of intractable pain. 2. Unilateral frontal lobotomy for the relief of pain is less successful than the bilateral (standard) operation. 3. Unwanted changes in personality and intellect are apt to be severe after the bilateral procedure. These changes, though of less degree, also occur with the unilateral operation performed by standard...

Three tourists developed eosinophilic meningitis after visiting the Fijian Islands. Two had a severe and long lasting illness with chronic intractable pain. In one patient electrophysiological studies and MRI scan of the brain were abnormal and provided evidence of both radicular and cerebral parenchymal involvement by the most likely causative agent, Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

The underlying etiology of anterior knee pain has been extensively studied. Despite many possible causes, often times the diagnosis is elusive. The most common causes in the young athlete are osteosynchondroses, patellar peritendinitis and tendinosis, synovial impingement, malalignment, and patellar instability. Less common causes are osteochondritis dissecans and tumors. It is always important...

The influence of acromioplasty in long standing rotator cuff deficiency with intractable pain was retrospectively evaluated in a consecutive series of 13 patients who were followed for a mean period of 19 months (range, 12 to 42 months) after arthroscopic acromioplasty. The Constant score improved from 59.3 (range, 39.9 to 90.3) preoperatively to 98.7 (69.1 to 122.7) postoperatively. Pain and m...

Sixty patients with spinal cord stimulators implanted for intractable pain lasting up to 50 years were followed for up to nine years. Forty seven per cent derived significant benefit, 23% modest benefit, 20% experienced no effect and 6.7% were made worse. Two were made worse after initial benefit. Complications, indications and factors relevant to the mode of action are discussed.