The aim was to compare bowel distension and diagnostic properties of magnetic resonance imaging of the small bowel with oral contrast (MRI per OS) with magnetic resonance enteroclysis (MRE). Forty patients with suspected Crohn's disease (CD) were examined with both MRI methods. MRI per OS was performed with a 6% mannitol solution and MRE with nasojejunal intubation and a polyethylenglycol solution. MRI protocol consisted of balanced fast field echo (B-FFE), T2 and T1 sequences with and without gadolinium. Two experienced radiologists individually evaluated bowel distension and pathological findings including wall thickness (BWT), contrast enhancement (BWE), ulcer (BWU), stenosis (BWS) and edema (EDM). The diameter of the small bowel was smaller with MRI per OS than with MRE (difference jejunum: 0.55 cm, p < 0.001; ileum: 0.35 cm, p < 0.001, terminal ileum: 0.09 cm, p = 0.08). However, CD was diagnosed with high diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values: MRI per OS 88%, 89%, 89%, 89%; MRE 88%, 84%, 82%, 89%) and inter-observer agreement (MRI per OS k = 0.95; MRE k = 1). In conclusion, bowel distension was inferior in MRI per OS compared to MRE. However, both methods diagnosed CD with a high diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility.

Patients preferred and experienced less abdominal pain and discomfort with MRI per os than with MRE.

ObjectivesFacial lipoatrophy can be devastating for HIV-infected patients, with negative effects on self-esteem. In this study, we treated facial fat atrophy in the nasogenian area with hyaluronic acid (Restylane SubQ; Q-Med AB, Uppsala, Sweden). MethodsTwenty patients were included in the study. Treatment effects were evaluated at baseline, and at weeks 6, 24 and 52 using ultrasound, the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, the Visual Analogue Scale and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. ResultsMean (AE standard deviation) total cutaneous thickness increased from 6 AE 1 mm at baseline to 15 AE 3 mm at week 6 (Po0.001), and declined to 10 AE 2 mm at week 52 (Po0.001 vs baseline). The response rate (total cutaneous thickness 410 mm) was 100% at week 6, 85% at week 24 and 60% at week 52. At week 6, all of the patients classified their facial appearance as very much improved or moderately improved. They also reported increased satisfaction with their facial appearance and had higher self-esteem scores. At week 52, 15 of 19 patients still classified their facial appearance as very much improved or moderately improved, although the mean total cutaneous thickness had gradually declined. ConclusionsOur results indicate that Restylane SubQ is a useful and well-tolerated dermal filler for treating HIV-positive patients with facial lipoatrophy.

ObjectivesFacial lipoatrophy can be a stigmatizing side effect of antiretroviral (AVR) treatment for HIV-infected patients. We sought to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of a new formulation of hyaluronic acid that can be injected in larger amounts and into deeper skin layers during 3 years of follow-up. Methods Twenty patients received injections of Restylane SubQ 2. Refill treatment was offered at 12 and 24 months. Treatment effects were evaluated using ultrasound, the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale. ResultsSeventeen patients remained at 36 months. Mean (AE standard deviation) total cutaneous thickness increased from 6 AE 1 mm at baseline to 12 AE 1 mm (Po0.001) at 36 months. Response rate (total cutaneous thickness 410 mm) was 70%. Fifteen patients classified their facial appearance as very much or moderately improved. VAS increased from 39 AE 25 to 70 AE 20 (Po0.05) and higher self-esteem scores were reported. Local swelling and tenderness after treatment was common. Persistent papules found in several patients after treatment were removed effectively with hyaluronidase injections. Three patients, treated only at baseline, still had higher total cutaneous thickness scores at 36 months. ConclusionsOur results indicate that a large particle hyaluronic acid formulation is a durable and well-tolerated dermal filler for treating HIV-positive patients with facial lipoatrophy. IntroductionLipoatrophy is a particularly distressing aspect of lipodystrophy evident in HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Facial lipoatrophy can severely affect patients' quality of life and may contribute to reduced antiretroviral (AVR) adherence [1]. Furthermore, the stigmatization affected patients may encounter as a result of facial lipoatrophy can be detrimental for self-esteem [2]. Treatment strategies include switching AVR regimens, prescription of medication, insertion of surgical implants and injection of dermal fillers.While there is evidence that the use of new nonthymidine nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors can prevent the development of lipoatrophy, switching medications, after lipoatrophy has progressed, offers only limited benefit [3,4]. A follow-up study of the Oslo HIV Cohort Study 2000 found that facial atrophy was less reversible than fat atrophy of the extremities [5]. Medications such as pioglitazone [6], uridine [7] and pravastatin [8] have been shown to have some effect on limb lipoatrophy in HIV-infected patients; however, the mechanisms by which they work and their potential side effects are not well documented.In the absence of a therapeutic intervention to reverse lipoatrophy, injection of soft-tissue fillers appears to be the simplest way to correct facial lipoatrophy. Many soft-tissue fillers, both biodegradable and permanent, have been studied in HIV facial lipoatrophy, however, long-term clinical safety and efficacy data are lacking. Biodegradable fillers have a good safety profile, but treatment with s...