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Minimal Discomfort (minimal + discomfort)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Medical Sciences	83%

Selected Abstracts

Nonablative Acne Scar Reduction after a Series of Treatments with a Short-Pulsed 1,064-nm Neodymium:YAG Laser

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 8 2006
GRAEME M. LIPPER MD
BACKGROUND Effective treatment of facial acne scarring presents a major challenge. Nonablative lasers and radiofrequency devices work by thermally stimulating dermal collagen remodeling, thereby softening acne scars in a minimally invasive fashion. One such laser, a 1,064-nm short-pulsed Nd:YAG, uses rapidly scanned low-energy infrared pulses to heat the dermis selectively through the normal dermal microvasculature. OBJECTIVE In this pilot study, the safety and efficacy of a novel short-pulsed Nd:YAG laser were investigated for the treatment of moderate to severe facial acne scarring. MATERIALS AND METHODS Nine of 10 enrolled patients with moderate to severe facial acne scarring received eight sequential 1,064-nm Nd:YAG treatments (laser parameters 14 J/cm2, 0.3 milliseconds, 5-mm spot size, 7-Hz pulse rate, 2,000 pulses per side of face). Patients were graded for the presence and severity of three scar morphologies: superficial (rolling), medium-depth (boxcar), and deep (ice pick). Outcome measures included blinded evaluation of before and after photographs by three physician observers (scar severity score) and patient self-assessment. RESULTS Acne scarring improved in 100% of the nine patients completing the study. Scar severity scores improved by a mean of 29.36% (95% confidence interval, 16.93%,41.79%; p=.006); 89% of patients noted greater than 10% scar improvement. No treatment-related adverse events were seen. CONCLUSION Our findings support the use of a short-pulsed, low-fluence 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser as a safe, effective treatment for facial acne scarring. Scar improvement was noted in all treated subjects with minimal discomfort and no downtime. This protocol appears to be most effective at reducing scar depth and softening scar contours. [source]

Imaging the large bowel in the elderly

GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 4 2004
Aza Abdulla
Diseases of the large bowel are common in older patients and many of these, notably polyps, cancer, diverticular disease and ischemia, increase in incidence with age. A variety of imaging modalities are available in clinical practice but the choice of investigation should take into consideration not only its diagnostic yield but also the ability of the older patient to undergo the procedure with minimal discomfort. Perhaps more important is whether that investigation is likely to have an effect on the overall management of the patient. [source]

Successful treatment of cutaneous sarcoid by photodynamic therapy with minimal discomfort using a fractionated dosing regime

PHOTODERMATOLOGY, PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE, Issue 5 2009
Clare Patterson
We report the case of a 42-year-old lady with an 8-year history of a persistent tumid plaque on her forehead. Investigations and presentation were consistent with cutaneous sarcoid with no systemic involvement. Multiple topical and oral treatments had been ineffective. She received seven sessions of 5-aminolaevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (PDT) over the course of 16 months. Each treatment was delivered in discontinuous and fractionated time intervals. Improvement was seen after the first treatment and continued with subsequent treatments. She found the treatment almost painless and was pleased with the cosmetic outcome. We conclude that PDT is a useful therapy in the treatment of facial cutaneous sarcoid. Fractionated exposure may allow the treatment to be less painful and therefore better tolerated. [source]

Acute changes in carbon dioxide levels alter the electroencephalogram without affecting cognitive function

PSYCHOPHYSIOLOGY, Issue 4 2000
Elisabeth Bloch-Salisbury
The partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the arterial blood (PaCO2) is usually tightly regulated, yet it varies among healthy people at rest (range ,32,44 mmHg) as well as within an individual during many natural life situations. The present study examined whether modest changes in end-tidal PCO2 (PetCO2; a noninvasive measure of PaCO2) affect electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, cognitive function, and vigilance. Nine adults were ventilated mechanically using a mouthpiece; respiratory rate and breath size were held constant while PetCO2 was set to levels that produced minimal discomfort. Despite discrete changes in EEG, neither acute PetCO2 increases (mean = 47 mmHg) nor decreases (mean = 30 mmHg) from resting levels (mean = 38 mmHg) affected performance on cognitive tasks, latency or amplitude of the N1, P2, or P3 event-related potential, or alertness. Modest changes in PetCO2 may cause significant alterations in the EEG without disturbing cognitive function. [source]

Minimally Invasive Antral Membrane Balloon Elevation , Results of a Multicenter Registry

CLINICAL IMPLANT DENTISTRY AND RELATED RESEARCH, Issue 2009
Efraim Kfir DMD
ABSTRACT Background and Purpose: Frequently, the posterior maxilla lacks sufficient bone mass to support dental implants. This multiphysician registry assessed the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive antral membrane balloon elevation (MIAMBE), followed by bone augmentation and implant fixation. Materials and Methods: One hundred twelve consecutive patients were referred for MIAMBE. Following pre-procedural assessment and informed consent, patients underwent alveolar crest exposure, and 3 mm osteotomy followed by MIAMBE. Platelet-rich fibrin and bone substitutes were injected under the antral membrane; implant placement and primary closure were executed at the same sitting. Implant loading was carried out 6 to 9 months later. Results: One hundred nine (97.3%) patients successfully concluded the initial procedure. Three patients had membrane tear requiring procedure abortion. One case of infection was documented at 4 weeks. Procedure time was 58 ± 23 minutes. Incremental bone height consistently exceeded 10 mm, and implant survival of 95% was observed at 6 to 9 months. Conclusion: MIAMBE can be applied to all patients in need of posterior maxilla bone augmentation with high procedural success, low complication rate, and satisfactory bone augmentation and implant survival. As it is minimally invasive and associated with minimal discomfort, MIAMBE should be an alternative to the currently employed methods of maxillary bone augmentation. [source]

Topical anaesthesia before nasendoscopy: a randomized controlled trial of co-phenylcaine compared with lignocaine

CLINICAL OTOLARYNGOLOGY, Issue 1 2006
R. Douglas
Objective:, To evaluate the relative effectiveness of co-phenylcaine (lignocaine 5% with phenylephrine) and lignocaine 5% sprays when administered prior to rigid nasendoscopy. Design:, Randomized, double blind controlled study. Setting:, Teaching hospital otolaryngology unit. Participants:, Thirty patients requiring routine outpatient rigid nasendoscopy were administered five puffs of either co-phenylcaine or lignocaine 5% spray which had been randomly assigned to either the first or the second visit. Ten minutes later nasendoscopy was performed. Immediately after nasendoscopy the ease of performance of the procedure and the quality of the view achieved was rated on a visual analogue scale by the endoscopist and the patients recorded the level of pain experienced on a visual analogue scale. Two weeks later, the patients returned for a repeat nasendoscopy, receiving the alternate spray. Main outcomes measures:, Ease of performance and quality of view of achieved by endoscopists and pain experienced by patients, both measured with visual analogue scales. Results:, The ease of passage of the endoscope and quality of the view obtained was found to be greater after the administration of co-phenylcaine [visual analogue scores 84 (95% CI: 80,89) than after lignocaine and 77 (95% CI: 73,81) (P < 0.01)]. The two sprays produced similar levels of topical anaesthesia. Conclusions:, Nasendoscopy can be performed with minimal discomfort after the administration of either co-phenylcaine or lignocaine 5% sprays. The vasoconstricting action of co-phenylcaine increases the ease of passage of the endoscope and quality of the view obtained by the endoscopist. [source]