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Biomedical subjects

G Gallacchi

Publications and source records attributed to G Gallacchi.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Pharmacokinetics of diclofenac hydroxyethylpyrrolidine (DHEP) plasters in patients with monolateral knee joint effusion.

The aim of this study was the assessment of blood and synovial levels of diclofenac after repeated epicutaneous dosing with DHEP plasters in patients with joint effusion. To eight volunteers suffering from monolateral knee joint effusion, DHEP plasters containing 180 mg DHEP each, were applied on the affected knee b.i.d. (at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.) for 4 consecutive days (8 doses) and only at 8 a.m. of the 5th day (9th dose). Plasters were left on the affected area until the following application or for 12h the 5th day. Venous blood samples were collected immediately before the first dosis and 1, 4 and 8 hours after the 9th application, while synovial fluid (SF) from the affected knee joint was collected at the beginning of the study and at 4 hours after the 9th DHEP plaster application. Unchanged diclofenac was measured in plasma and SF by means of a GLC-mass spectrometry technique. Low but durable levels of diclofenac were obtained at each collection after dosing in plasma. Detectable SF concentrations of diclofenac at the 4th hour of the 9th application were obtained, thus indicating the diffusion of diclofenac into the synovial liquid. The authors conclude that the topical application of DHEP plaster b.i.d. for 4 days allows measurable levels of diclofenac to be obtained in the underlying affected joint, without producing elevated circulating blood concentrations of diclofenac, thus greatly reducing the risk of possible systemic side effects.

Administration, Cutaneous↗
PubMed1986

[The place of apatite in rheumatic diseases. Study of 25 cases by x-ray microanalysis and scanning electron microscopy].

The importance of "apatite deposition disease" among the arthropathies has been recognized for some years: it is well known that X-ray microanalysis (XRMA) is an efficient method of determining the elemental constitution of microcrystalline deposits obtained from synovial fluids or from tendon washing solutions during examination in scanning electron microscopy. In all 25 patients studied (11 intraarticular and 14 extraarticular samples), alizarine red S staining was positive and XRMA confirmed the diagnosis of apatite deposition by determination of the phosphorus/calcium (P/Ca) ratio in the deposits. In the 25 patients the mean values obtained for the P/Ca ratios were situated between 0.362 and 0.450, with a general mean value of 0.411, i.e. a ratio clearly lower than the P/Ca ratio of pure hydroxyapatite specimens (0.438) measured in identical conditions. This apparent discrepancy seems to be related to the probable presence of carbonated apatites. The study confirmed the presence of apatite microcrystals in intra- and extraarticular location; in the first condition, these were generally found in patients with severe destructive arthrosis, whereas in the second condition the calcifications derived from supraspinatus tendons.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

[Pigmented villonodular synovitis].

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a comparatively rare disease of which some 2000 case reports are found in the international literature. PVNS should nevertheless be considered in the differential diagnosis of mono- and oligoarthritis. Three further cases of PVNS are presented in which the diagnosis was confirmed histologically. The clinical, X-ray, laboratory and histologic findings in PVNS, and the differential diagnosis and aetiology are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Clinical evaluation of 'Osmosin' versus piroxicam.

A single-blind, randomized trial was carried out in 30 out-patients with osteoarthritis to compare the efficacy and tolerability of the new osmotic-release formulation, 'Osmosin' (7 mg indomethacin per hour over a period of approximately 10 hours), with that of piroxicam. Patients received a single dose of one 'Osmosin' or 20 mg piroxicam per day for 4 weeks. The results of objective and subjective assessments of disease symptoms showed that both treatments produced statistically significant improvements from baseline and no significant differences between the groups were observed. Three patients in the piroxicam group experienced moderate to severe gastro-intestinal problems and 1 patient dropped out after 2 weeks because of lack of efficacy. No side-effects were reported in the group on 'Osmosin' and all 15 patients completed the study. Data on the incidence of indomethacin-related side-effects from two open multi-centre studies involving large numbers of patients with osteoarthritis are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

[Synoviorthese].

Among the various possibilities for local treatment of rheumatoid synovitis, intra-articular injection of corticosteroids has only a very temporary effect. The same can be said of local treatment with cytostatics, though the effect is somewhat longer-lived. After intra-articular treatment with 1% osmic acid, joint effusions in particular remain under control over a lengthy period of time. The most effective conservative local treatment appears to be radionuclide therapy, and in older patients it may be a true alternative to surgical synovectomy. Radionuclides with varying physical properties are administered according to the size of the joint. The dosage of these substances also depends on the size of the joint. If precautions are taken, side effects are rare.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1981

[Acupuncture and laser treatment in cervical and lumbar syndrome].

Eight random groups, each of 15 patients with tendomyotic cervical and lumbar syndrome, underwent acupuncture, one group receiving needle acupuncture at the "correct" sites according to Chinese medicine and another receiving placebo needles at the same sites. In a third group, acupuncture needles were applied at sites which were wholly inconsistent with Chinese practice. The remaining 5 groups took part in a single blind trial involving various types of radiation at the correct acupuncture sites, using an apparatus emitting either laser rays, red light, mixed light, infrared or no radiation at all, without interference from the therapist. All the groups showed improvement, but an analysis according to Kruskal and Wallis revealed no significant differences between type and site of treatment.

Acupuncture Therapy↗