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Osteoid osteoma is a tumour of bone characterised by pain which is relieved by aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Very high levels of prostaglandins have been found in the lesion. In five patients with osteoid osteoma, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and prostacyclin (PGI2) synthesis in the nidus yielded 1155.6 +/- 496.5 (mean +/- SD) and 245.2 +/- 89.8 pg/mg respectively, values which are 33 and 26 times higher than in fragments of normal bone. The sclerotic bone around the nidus produced both prostaglandins at the same rate as normal bone. In three patients the excretion rate of the major urinary metabolite of systemic PGI1 was reduced to 50% one month after removal of the tumour. The urinary excretion rate of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, reflecting intrarenal PGI2 synthesis, was not changed after operation. These results offer new insight into the pain mechanism in osteoid osteoma.

Psychometric evaluation before TIPS is able to identify most of the patients who will develop HE after a TIPS and can be used to select patients in order to have the lowest incidence of this important complication.

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This preliminary experience suggests that the method is able to detect dosimetric errors in quasi real time at the end of the therapy session. The authors intend to extend this procedure to other pathologies with the integration of in-room imaging verification by cone beam CT.

Objectives Diabetic neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes. The idea of alterations in energy metabolism in diabetes is emerging. The biogenic antioxidant R(+)-thioctic acid has been successfully used in the treatment of diabetic polyneuropathic (DPN) patients. Methods The effects of R(+)-thioctic acid (1 tablet, 1.6 g) administration were evaluated in 12 DPN patients at baseline and at 15, 30, 60, and 120 administration days throughout the assessment of oxidative stress (OxS); ROS production rate by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique; and oxidative damage biomarkers (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and protein carbonyls (PC)), electroneurography (ENG) and visual analogue scale. Results Supplementation induced significant changes (p < 0.05) at 30 and 60 days. ROS production rate up to −16%; TBARS (−31%), PC (−38%), and TAC up to +48%. Motor nerve conduction velocity in SPE and ulnar nerves (+22% and +16%) and sensor conduction velocity in sural and median nerves (+22% and +5%). Patients reported a general wellness sensation improvement (+35%) at 30 days: lower limb pain sensation (−40%) and upper limbs (−23%). Conclusion The results strongly indicate that an increased antioxidant capacity plays an important role in OxS, nerve conduction velocity, pain, and general wellness improvement. Nevertheless, the effects of the antioxidant compound were found positive up to 60 days. Then, a hormesis effect was observed. Novelty of the research would be a challenge for investigators to carefully address issues, including dose range factors, appropriate administration time, and targeting population to counteract possible “boomerang effects.” The great number of monitored parameters would firmly stress these conclusions.