Amyloidosis presents with proteinuria usually in the nephrotic range, and has a more chronic course. GMN associated with rheumatoid arthritis characteristically alters the sediment, and renal failure due to NSAIDs has a more chronic course, with papillary necrosis. Thus, given the course and the alterations described, interstitial nephritis due to methotrexate is more likely, which is more directly toxic than allergic, hence the absence of pyuria, eosinophilia, fever or other hypersensitivity data.

Amyloidosis presents with proteinuria usually in the nephrotic range, and has a more chronic course. GMN associated with rheumatoid arthritis characteristically alters the sediment, and renal failure due to NSAIDs has a more chronic course, with papillary necrosis. Thus, given the course and the alterations described, interstitial nephritis due to methotrexate is [HIDDEN], which is more directly toxic than allergic, hence the absence of pyuria, eosinophilia, fever or other hypersensitivity data.

In a patient with rheumatoid arthritis on methotrexate, prednisone and indomethacin who acutely presents with edema and increased plasma creatinine with poorly expressive urine sediment and proteinuria less than 100 mg/24 h the most likely cause is:

Glomerulonephritis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis.

Renal failure due to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Interstitial nephritis due to methotrexate.

[Chronic interstitial nephritis caused by analgesics].

Interstitial nephritis secondary to analgesic ingestion is apparently an uncommon subject in pediatric literature. Two cases are reported in this article: case 1 is a girl followed for the last fifteen years when she had lipoid nephrosis which was treated initially with corticosteroids; she responded satisfactorily, but presented frequent relapses. After 8 years, she was given cyclophosphamide plus prednisone and lately, she responded and has remained well. Further on, her urinalysis showed specific gravity of 1,033 and no proteinuria. Five years ago, because of protracted headache due to psychological disturbance, she started to ingest a variety of analgesics in progressively increasing doses. For the last 2 years, abdominal pains, paleness, polydipsia and polyuria have been observed; at present, her blood pressure, serum chemistry, and urine sediment are normal, but there is a marked failure in the renal concentration capacity, as well as marked sodium urinary losses. A percutaneous renal biopsy showed tubulo-interstitial fibrosis and edema with normal glomeruli. Case 2 is a girl with rheumatoid arthritis which appeared 3 years ago; for over one year, the patient was given 15 mg/day prednisone plus 1.5 g. acetylsalycilic acid. She was admitted to the hospital because her osteoarticular problem did not improve. Her blood pressure, blood chemistries and urinary sediment were also normal. LE tests were negative. Renal concentrating capacity was reduced and the renal biopsy showed tubular atrophy; there was intestinal edema and mononuclear infiltration. Chronic interstitial nephritis, secondary to analgesics is supported in both cases; polyuria and a marked defect of renal concentrating capacity are the earliest and most characteristic features. Normal urinary sediment is a common finding leading to erroneous assessment of a lack of renal involvement. Pathological lesions are located in the interstice of the renal medulla and sometimes in the papilla. Early arrest of analgesic ingestion may stop and even reverse the renal lesion and the renal insufficiency.

Spectrum of glomerulonephritis in Egyptian patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A University Hospital experience.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is accompanied by a variety of nephropathies. It is often difficult to distinguish between disease-associated and drug-associated renal diseases. Three hundred and seventy-six RA patients with renal involvement were included in our study; they were subjected to full history and clinical examination, kidney function, 24-h urinary protein, and kidney biopsy. All our patients were on methotrexate, low dose steroids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, in addition to the previous medications. About 79.3%, 20.7%, 6.9%, and 5.9% of our patients were on leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine, etanercept, and infliximab, respectively. Renal presentation was in the form of nephrotic syndrome (33.5%), persistent subnephrotic proteinuria (12.2%), persistent proteinuria and recurrent hematuria (13.3%), acute nephritis (23.9), recurrent hematuria (7.4%), and creatinine >1.5 mg/dL (10.6%). Renal biopsies were glomerular amyloidosis (28.1%), mesangioproliferative (19.1%), membranous (6.1%), crescent (16.8%), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (18.6%), and minimal changes (11.7%). There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of membranous nephritis between patients who took leflunomide, and hydroxychloroquine and those did not. Etanercept in our study seems not to be related to any form of renal involvement, while infliximab is related to focal segmental sclerosis and amyloidosis of tubulointerstitial type. Kidney involvement in RA is not a rare complication. Any type of histopathological changes can be present, with amyloidosis on top of the list. Hydroxychloroquine and leflunomide are accused in membranous nephropathy. Infliximab is associated with focal segmental sclerosis and amyloidosis of tubulointerstial type, and etanercept appear to be safe as regards kidney affection.

Proliferative glomerulonephritis with acute renal failure-a rare manifestation in seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.

A 55 years old lady with advanced rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presented with severe acute renal failure with significant proteinuria preceded by fever for 14 days. She had no history of taking drugs usually responsible for glomerulonephritis, neither had she any clinico-biochemical evidence of peri-infectious glomerulonephritis. Acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) was excluded by absence of eosinophilia and eosinophils in urine. Renal biopsy reveled absence of amyloidosis and showed Focal segmental proliferative glomerulonephritis (FSGN). Patient was successfully managed with methyl-prednisolone followed by steroid and immunosuppressive and patient came over renal failure. So FSGN should be considered as one of the causes of acute renal failure in a patient with seronegative RA which may respond to immune-therapy like rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis.

[Renal involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) kidney is commonly affected organ with clinical presentation characterised by proteinuria (often nephrotic range) and microhematuria followed by chronic renal failure. This condition is well recognized as a rheumatoid nephropathy (rheumatoid glomerulonephritis), which is mediated by an immunological inflammation and by nephrotoxic effects of numerous drugs usually used in rheumatoid arthiritis treatment, such as NSAID, DMARD. In the patohistological examination various kinds of associated renal lesions could be seen. The most often are amyloidosis, glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis. In this study, we presented 15 patients, 10 women and 5 men, mean age of 60.2 with average rheumatoid arthritis duration of 19.4 years and signs of rheumatoid nephropathy. In all patients renal biopsy was performed with frequency of histopathological findings as follows: amyloidosis in 5 patients, IgA nephropathy in 3 patients, FSGS in 3 patients, mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in 3 patients, minimal change disease, pauci-immune glomerulonephritis and thin membrane disease in 1 patient. In all patients (except patient with thin membrane nephropathy) we started immunossuppresive therapy with glucocorticoids in combination with cyclophosphamide or cyclosporin or azatioprine. In conclusion, in all patients with rheumatoid arthritis, parameters of renal function should be monitored and in the case of patologic results, renal biopsy should be be performed. In the treatment of RA patients with related renal disorder, suspected causal drug should be removed from the treatment and specific immunosuppressive therapy initiated.

[Kidney involvement in rheumatoid arthritis].

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a widespread disease and its renal involvement, relatively common, is clinically significant because worsens course and mortality of the primary disease. There is still no agreement on the prevalence of renal disorders in RA: data analysis originates from different sources, as death certificates, autopsies, clinical and laboratory findings and kidney biopsies, each with its limitations. Histoimmunological studies on bioptical specimens of patients with RA and kidney damage, led to clarify prevalent pathologies. In order of frequency: glomerulonephritis and amyloidosis (60-65% and 20-30% respectively), followed by acute or chronic interstitial nephritis. Kidney injury during RA includes secondary renal amyloidosis, nephrotoxic effects of antirheumatic drugs and nephropathies as extra-articular manifestations (rheumatoid nephropathy). Amyloidosis affects survival, increases morbidity and is the main cause of end stage renal disease in patients with RA and nephropathy. Strong association between RA activity and amyloidosis needs the use of immunosuppressive and combined therapies, to prevent this complication and reduce risk of dialysis. Long-lasting and combined RA pharmacotherapy involves various renal side effects. In this review we describe NSAIDs and DMARDs (Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs) nephrotoxicity, particularly by gold compounds, D-penicillamine, cyclosporine A and methotrexate. Rare cases of IgA glomerulonephritis during immunomodulating therapy with leflunomide and TNF blocking receptor (etanercept) are reported; real clinical significance of this drug-related nephropathy will be established by development of RA treatment. In RA nephropathies, mesangial glomerulonephritis is the most frequent histological lesion (35-60 % out of biopsies from patients with urinary abnormalities and/or kidney impairment), followed by minimal change glomerulopathy (3-14%) and p-ANCA positive necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis.

[Renal tubular dysfunction in patients with rheumatoid arthritis starting with low dose of methotrexate].

The elevation of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) in urine has been shown to be associated with reversible renal tubular damage. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of first oral low dose methotrexate (MTX) on urinary excretion of NAG comparing with MTX concentration in serum and urine in a cohort of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Urinary NAG to urinary creatinine ratio (NAG index) determined in 43 patients (5 males, 38 females) with RA who started taking the first oral dose of 10 mg of MTX. Urinary NAG index was observed at 24 h and 48 h after the first MTX dose. MTX concentration was measured in blood at 90 minutes and in blood and urine at 24 h after the drug administration. NAG-enzymuria was increased in 72.1% of the patients before administration of MTX therapy (10.8 UI/g creatinine). There was no change in NAG index at 24 and 48 h after first dose of MTX (9.1 and 10.7 UI/g of creatinine). No differences of NAG-enzymuria in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-treated patients and NSAID-free patients before and after MTX administration were revealed. The patients with decreased creatinine clearance had before treatment higher NAG index than those with normal creatinine clearance but there was not any significant increase of NAG activity after first dose of MTX in the patients with decreased creatinine clearance. Continued treatment with MTX resulted in a decrease in NAG activity accompanied by serum C-reactive protein concentration. The use of low dose MTX with or without NSAIDs does not influence the renal tubular function in patients with RA.

A Case Report Describing a Rare Presentation of Simultaneous Occurrence of MPO-ANCA-Associated Vasculitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

<iBackground</i. Renal-limited myeloperoxidase vasculitis with simultaneous rheumatoid arthritis is reported as a rare occurrence. Review of literature suggests that most patients had a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis for several years prior to presenting with renal failure from myeloperoxidase vasculitis. <iCase Presentation</i. A 58-year-old Caucasian male presented to the hospital experiencing malaise, fevers, decreased oral intake, nausea, and vomiting for one week duration. His past medical history consisted of newly diagnosed but untreated rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. He was found to have acute renal failure, proteinuria, and hypoglycemia. Standard therapy, including intravenous fluids, did not improve his acute renal failure. A vasculitis workup resulted in a positive myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA). Renal biopsy revealed crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN) pauci-immune type, suggestive of MPO-ANCA-associated vasculitis (MPO-AAV). Treatment consisted of prednisone, cyclophosphamide, and seven cycles of plasmapheresis, in addition to hemodialysis for uremia. Upon discharge, he received hemodialysis for another week and continued treatment with cyclophosphamide and prednisone. <iConclusion</i. Patients with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis may develop renal failure due to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication use and AA type amyloidosis; however, necrotizing glomerulonephritis with crescent formation has been rarely reported. This stresses the importance of early recognition and swift initiation of treatment.

Remission of the nephrotic syndrome in a patient with renal amyloidosis due to rheumatoid arthritis treated with prednisolone and methotrexate.

A 46-year-old woman developed nephrotic syndrome secondary to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A renal biopsy showed deposition of amyloid fibrils in the subendothelial space of the glomerular capillary walls. After treatment with prednisolone (PSL, 40 mg/day), the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid A decreased to within normal limits for 2 weeks. However, the nephrotic syndrome persisted for 6 months after the therapy. To maintain the suppression of disease activity and to reduce PSL, methotrexate (5 mg/week) was added. The nephrotic syndrome resolved gradually, and the level of serum albumin returned to normal. Although renal prognosis of patients with nephrotic syndrome due to amyloidosis caused by RA has been considered poor, adequate and long-term treatment of RA with antiinflammatory drugs, including PSL and methotrexate, is useful for patients with secondary amyloidosis complicated by RA.

[Clinico-immunological aspects of renal lesions in rheumatoid arthritis].

The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of different renal lesions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to determine their relationships with the type of previous drug therapy and with the specific features of immune disorders. Ninety four patients, 84 (89.9%) females and 10 (10.6%) males) with RA whose mean age was 45.2 +/- 11.9 years and duration of the disease 7.5 +/- 6.5 years were examined. Most of them had degrees 2 and 3 PA (62.7 and 24.4%, respectively). Systemic manifestations were encountered in 60 (63.8%) patients. Eighty one patients took nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) continuously: 18 patients for a year, 32 for 5 years, 14 for 6 to 10 years, and 17 for over 10 years. All the patients underwent clinical, laboratory, and instrumental study of partial functions of the kidney. Immunological study involved solid-phase immunoassay of IgA and IgM rheumatoid factor, von Willebrand factor antigens (WF:Ag), C-reactive protein. The serum concentrations were measured by the Mancini method. Changes in urinalysis and/or signs of decreased glomerular and tubular functions were found in 69 (73.%) patients, 25 (26.6%) had arterial hypertension. Tubular dysfunctions were more common [31 (32.9%) patients]. Signs of early renal failure were detected in 20 (21.2%) patients. There were no cases of acute renal failure. Amyloidosis, glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis were diagnosed in 5 (5.3%), 16 (17%), and 13 (13.8%) patients, respectively. The above renal lesions were concurrent in some patients. Renal lesion correlated with the progression and severity of RA, the presence of systemic manifestations, and age. There was no relationship of both 5- and 10-year use of NSAID to the symptoms of renal disease. The use of these drugs for over 10 years was concurrent with the signs of chronic renal failure and arterial hypertension. Analyzing immunological disorders showed an association of increased erythrocytic sedimentation rates and WF:Ag with amyloidosis, that of higher IgA concentrations with proteinuria and tubular dysfunctions. It is concluded that renal lesion is common in RA, there is a predominance of tubular interstitial changes. In rare cases nephropathy is characterized by a benign course and fails to result in uremia. The symptoms of renal diseases are largely associated with RA progression and severity and the patients' age. Prolonged continuous use of NSAID may contribute to the development of renal failure. Different immune mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of glomerular and tubular nephropathy in RA.

[Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis presenting nephrotic syndrome and acute renal failure in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis].

A 45-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis(RA) who developed nephrotic syndrome and acute renal failure was reported. She first noticed polyarthritis in June 1990, and was diagnosed as RA. Since her RA was not controlled with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), she started taking prednisolone 10 mg daily and received 100 mg of D-penicillamine from October 1990 with improvement of the RA. In March 1991, she noticed edema of the face and legs, at which time massive proteinuria and hematuria were first noted. Because of her nephrosis, she was referred to our hospital for further evaluation. Laboratory investigations revealed 24-hour urine proteinuria of 37 g, serum creatinine, 2.7 mg/dl, blood urea nitrogen, 43.5 mg/dl, total protein, 4.1 g/dl, albumin, 1.5 mg/dl, and total cholesterol, 600 mg/dl. The rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibody were positive. Renal biopsy showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Her nephrotic syndrome and renal dysfunction recovered after the administration of prednisolone at 60 mg/day. The possible pathogenesis of FSGS in patients with RA was discussed.

Renal involvement in rheumatoid arthritis: analysis of renal biopsy specimens from 100 patients.

Abstract  We analyzed renal biopsy specimens from 100 patients to evaluate the characteristics of renal involvement in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Membranous nephropathy (MN) was the most common renal histological pattern (31%). Mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (GN) was found in 21% of cases (IgA nephropathy 12%, non-IgA GN 9%), minor changes in 17%, renal amyloidosis in 11%, interstitial nephritis in 9%, sclerotic GN in 4%, and crescentic GN in 2%. MN was relatively more frequent in men than in women, and most developed nephrotic syndrome, while a few developed renal failure. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) correlated with MN in 26 of 31 cases. Mesangial proliferative GN showed high-grade hematuria. Amyloidosis correlated with long duration of RA; approximately half of the cases with amyloidosis also had nephrotic syndrome, and 82% developed renal failure. Of the 100 patients, 82% showed some tubulo-interstitial changes, which might be related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Because renal lesions in RA are very diverse, and early stage cases of MN and amyloidosis can be detected only by histological examinations, renal biopsy should be performed in cases with continuous urinary abnormalities or progressive renal failure.

[Clinicopathological study of nephropathy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

We carried out a retrospective study to investigate the clinical and pathological findings in 31 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In clinical findings, 17 patients showed nephrotic syndrome, five had isolated proteinuria, two had proteinuria and hematuria and seven had renal failure. In pathological findings, there were 16 patients with membranous nephropathy (MN), two with proliferative glomerulonephritis (DPGN), two with minor glomerular abnormality (MGA), six with amyloidosis, 2 with tubulointerstitial nephritis, and three patients had accompanying lupus nephritis. Eleven of 16 with MGN had been treated with gold, bucillamine or D-penicillamine, so they were diagnosed as drug induced MGN. In the other five patients, we could not decide which drugs induced the nephropathy. The 2 cases of MGA were associated with nephrotic syndrome and acute renal failure, which were caused by non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs. There were two cases of non-Ig A DPGN, which was regarded as the native nephropathy in RA. The three cases with lupus nephritis were diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus by the criteria of the American Rheumatism Association (ARA). In conclusion, the nephropathy in patients with RA was varied and renal biopsy was a useful examination.

Renal function in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate and infliximab.

This study was aimed at monitoring the early and late effects of infliximab on renal proximal function in RA patients treated with methotrexate. N-acetyl-3-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity in urine served as an indicator of proximal tubular damage NAG activity was estimated in 21 patients during the course of treatment with infliximab and methotrexate. In every patient NAG-enzymuria was estimated directly before and 60 min after infliximab infusions and 62 weeks after starting the therapy. The total of mean NAG activities observed before each infusion of infliximab was significantly lower (p < 0.02) than NAG-enzymuria before the start of infliximab treatment (7.4 UI/g vs 11.8 UI/g). The proportion of patients in whom NAG activity rose by more than 50% during treatment ranged from 5.3% to 25%. Administration of infliximab did not significantly change the mean serum creatinine levels or creatinine clearance. No significant differences were observed in the mean values of NAG values before and 60 min after infliximab infusion. Patients who demonstrated elevated NAG activities during the course of the whole treatment demonstrated significantly more pronounced NAG enzymuria before treatment and one hour after the first infusion (p < 0.0005), as well as higher RA activity (p < 0.05). There was no observed influence of NSAIDs or prednisone on the frequency of elevated NAG activities. Raised creatinine concentrations (> 1.3 mg/dL) were noted before and during the course of infliximab treatment in 3 patients. In 16 patients abdominal fat aspiration biopsy was performed and in 3 the presence of amyloid deposits was demonstrated. In these patients NAG activity exceeded twice the upper normal limit. The introduction of infliximab during methotrexate therapy demonstrated no early or delayed nephrotoxicity of the drug in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Severe reversible renal failure due to naproxen-associated acute interstitial nephritis.

Acute interstitial nephritis is uncommon in children and has very rarely been described with naproxen treatment. We report the occurrence of severe acute renal failure in a 10-year-old girl with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis after 1 month of naproxen therapy. Renal biopsy showed severe acute interstitial nephritis. The patient recovered completely after discontinuation of naproxen and administration of methylprednisolone. A review of the literature regarding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated acute interstitial nephritis is provided. In an era of increasing popularity of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for use in children, paediatricians should be aware of the potential renal complications of this class of drugs.

Use of biologic agents and methotrexate improves renal manifestation and outcome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a retrospective analysis.

We examined whether advances in treatment strategies from older disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to new biologic agents and methotrexate improved renal complications and outcome in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We reviewed records of 156 patients with RA who underwent kidney biopsy at our institute between January 1990 and December 2019. All patients were assigned to one of three periods: period 1, 1990-1999 (n = 48); period 2, 2000-2009(n = 57); period 3, 2010-2019 (n = 51). Membranous nephropathy, nephrosclerosis, AA-amyloidosis, and IgA nephropathy were the four major renal manifestations of RA. AA-amyloidosis was diagnosed by kidney biopsy in 21 patients: period 1, 7 patients (15%); period 2, 10 patients (18%); and period 3, 4 patients (8%). The 4 patients in period 3 were in the years 2010-2014, and no new case of AA-amyloidosis was recorded from 2015 to 2019. In all 21 of the patients with AA-amyloidosis, neither a biologic agent nor methotrexate was administered. Fifteen of the 21 patients required dialysis, and 13 died in periods 1-3 because of amyloid-related cardiac dysfunction less than 2 years after the initiation of dialysis. Two of them are doing well using biologic agent despite dialysis. The remaining three patients who received a biologic agent or methotrexate does not progress to end-stage renal failure. In addition, the other renal complications showing progression to dialysis also decreased over time. Advances in treatment strategies have improved renal outcome and reduced mortality in patients with RA.

Acute interstitial nephritis with membranous nephropathy in bucillamine-treated rheumatoid arthritis.

In bucillamine-treated patients, persistent proteinuria caused by membranous nephropathy (MN) is a major adverse effect affecting the kidneys. We experienced a case of acute interstitial nephritis (AIN) with MN caused by bucillamine. An 81-year-old Japanese woman with a past medical history of rheumatoid arthritis and hypertension presented with a fever, epigastric pain, and nausea of 1 week's duration. She had commenced bucillamine 4 months earlier. At the time of admission, her baseline creatinine (0.8 mg/dl) had risen to 6.8 mg/dl. A renal biopsy revealed AIN with concomitant MN. Renal function gradually improved after bucillamine administration was stopped. In addition to MN, bucillamine can cause AIN, which requires a renal biopsy for definitive diagnosis. Given the host of pathological findings that tend to develop in patients using bucillamine, patients receiving the drug who present with symptoms of acute kidney injury should undergo a renal biopsy to determine the presence of AIN.

[A patient with rheumatoid arthritis presenting a nephrotic syndrome: A case report].

A fifty-one years-old patient with a history of rheumatoid arthritis of recent diagnosis is hospitalized for exploration of a rapidly progressive anasarca state. First analysis discovered an impure nephrotic syndrome (acute renal failure, hematuria) and massive glomerular proteinuria. Auto-medication by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug was revealed. Renal biopsy showed minimal glomerular disease and acute tubular necrosis. Corticosteroid use permitted a normalization of proteinuria and renal recovery was obtained. Literature review showed renal impairment occurring in rheumatoid polyarthritis. Minimal glomerular disease is rare but can be associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This disease, associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, may be responsible of the patient condition.

[Methotrexate treatment of amyloidosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis].

Amyloidosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis is a complication with a poor prognosis and as yet an undefined medical therapy. In the last decades the use of different cytostatics has been advocated to avoid renal function deterioration. The clinical characteristics and course in eight patients with amyloidosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis are here reported after therapy with low dosage methotrexate. In twelve patients who followed a 12-month therapy a clinical improvement was observed, with a marked decrease in proteinuria; in one of them proteinuria disappeared. These results suggest that methotrexate at low doses might be an alternative in the early treatment of amyloidosis secondary to rheumatoid arthritis in patients with preserved renal function.

Necrotizing glomerulonephritis in rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis may be associated with several glomerular lesions including amyloidosis, mesangial proliferation and membranous glomerulonephritis. Systemic vasculitis is a well-recognized extra-articular complication of rheumatoid arthritis, but necrotizing glomerulonephritis, the glomerular expression of vasculitis, has been described infrequently. This report comprises four patients with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent renal biopsy for declining renal function, proteinuria and active urine sediments. Pathology revealed that three patients had segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis without significant glomerular immunoglobulin deposition. The fourth had segmental necrosis associated with diffuse membranous glomerulonephritis. We conclude that necrotizing glomerulonephritis is part of the spectrum of glomerular lesions seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Because of therapeutic considerations involving the use of cyclophosphamide, necrotizing glomerulonephritis should be a diagnostic consideration in the rheumatoid arthritis patient with signs of glomerulonephritis and rapidly deteriorating renal function.

Naproxen nephrotoxicity in a 2-year-old child.

The development of acute renal failure and interstitial nephritis due to therapeutic doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has been documented repeatedly in adult patients but is rare in children. We report the occurrence of this complication in a child. Acute renal failure and hyperkalemia developed in a 2-year-old boy with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis after one month of naproxen sodium therapy. The evidence of renal toxic effects became manifest after an episode of dehydration. A percutaneous renal biopsy specimen revealed interstitial nephritis. The patient recovered promptly after withdrawal of the drug.

Effect of indomethacin and selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors on proteinuria and renal function in patients with AA type renal amyloidosis.

Because the cardiovascular system (CVS) side-effects of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective inhibitors have recently been questioned, we aimed to compare the renal and haemodynamic effects of cyclooxygenase selective (celecoxib and rofecoxib) and non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (indomethacin) in patients with renal amyloidosis secondary to rheumatological diseases who required anti-inflammatory agents and are taking maximum tolerable dose of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. The present study was performed on 11 patients with stable proteinuria who were diagnosed as AA amyloidosis secondary to rheumatological diseases confirmed by renal biopsies. The study had three consecutive stages (celecoxib 200 mg/day; indomethacin 100 mg/day; rofecoxib 25 mg/day.) Each was given for 4 weeks and a wash-out phase of 3 weeks was allowed between consecutive stages. Although the decrease of proteinuria in the celecoxib period was higher than in the rofecoxib and indomethacin periods, the difference was not statistically significant. No statistically significant differences were found between serum urea, creatinine, creatinine clearance and urinary sodium excretion. In this study, no differences were found between indomethacin and the two selective COX-2 inhibitors in respect to proteinuria and renal functions in 11 patients with renal amyloidosis secondary to rheumatological diseases with varying degrees of proteinuria. Routine doses of NSAIDs brought no additional benefit to the ACE inhibitor use in terms of proteinuria and renal functions. The use of selective COX-2 inhibitors should be limited to their anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in this population.

Chemotherapy

Some chemotherapy drugs are used in diseases other than cancer, such as in autoimmune disorders, and noncancerous plasma cell dyscrasia. In some cases they are often used at lower doses, which means that the side effects are minimized, while in other cases doses similar to ones used to treat cancer are used. Methotrexate is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriasis, ankylosing spondylitis and multiple sclerosis. The anti-inflammatory response seen in RA is thought to be due to increases in adenosine, which causes immunosuppression; effects on immuno-regulatory cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme pathways; reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines; and anti-proliferative properties. Although methotrexate is used to treat both multiple sclerosis and ankylosing spondylitis, its efficacy in these diseases is still uncertain. Cyclophosphamide is sometimes used to treat lupus nephritis, a common symptom of systemic lupus erythematosus. Dexamethasone along with either bortezomib or

[Rheumatoid arthritis and the kidney. Pinpointing an aspect of confusing contours].

In literature there are only a few papers about renal involvement in rheumatoid arthritis. The scarcity of reports is due to the difficulties of pinpointing this subject; in fact a bloody investigation like kidney biopsy is necessary to obtain an exact diagnosis. Moreover it is often clinically hard to distinguish renal injury provoked by rheumatoid arthritis from nephropathy caused by drugs, either non steroidal antiinflammatory drugs or disease modifying antirheumatic drugs. This topic is perhaps neglected because primary renal involvement in rheumatoid arthritis is not considered to influence the survival, with the exception of renal amyloidosis. Pathologic examination of kidney biopsy shows in order of frequency: mesangial nephritis, renal amyloidosis, membranous nephritis, focal proliferative nephritis, minimal nephritis, interstitial nephritis. Both immune complexes and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies may play a pathogenetic role. The mesangial nephritis with IgA or IgM deposits is linked to high levels of rheumatoid factor of IgA or IgM class; it has been hypothesized that the ability of mesangium to remove circulating immune complexes provokes the mesangial damage. Moreover it has been observed that rheumatoid arthritis with renal involvement shows positivity for perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies more frequently than rheumatoid arthritis without nephropathy. Also in the former cases the title of these autoantibodies is higher. The aim of this paper is to bring the terms of the problem into focus by the revision of the literature. Further and wider studies are necessary to obtain more available data.

Should a patient with rheumatoid arthritis be a kidney donor?

We cared for a woman with sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA), in clinical remission on oral methotrexate (MTX) and hydroxychloroquine, who wished to donate a kidney to a brother with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We could find scant literature about this unusual clinical circumstance, and therefore review pertinent aspects of renal disease in RA, perioperative medical management, maintenance of disease remission, outcomes for RA patients who have donated kidneys, and relevant ethical issues. Renal complications in RA are not uncommon, with as many as 50% of patients at risk of reduced eGFR. This reflects anti-rheumatic and analgetic medication use (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, DMARDs [cyclosporine and, historically, D-penicillamine and gold compounds], and others), glomerulitis, interstitial nephritis, complicating Sjogren's syndrome, vasculitis, or amyloidosis, and/or emergence of an "overlap" syndrome or other rheumatic disorder. The literature suggests that MTX need not be interrupted for surgery. The risk of perioperative infection to our patient would be low and remission should be sustained. We are aware of one study of six patients with RA who donated kidneys; they experienced no complications, ESRD, or deaths after a median follow-up of 8.2 years. Our ethical responsibilities are to balance patient autonomy of decision-making while assuring clinical beneficence and minimizing potential maleficence. Our perspective was that it would not be unreasonable to support this patient donating a kidney if, when fully informed, that remained her wish.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

Common ADRs associated with altered kidney function include: Sodium and fluid retention Hypertension (high blood pressure) These agents may also cause kidney impairment, especially in combination with other nephrotoxic agents. Kidney failure is especially a risk if the patient is also concomitantly taking an ACE inhibitor (which removes angiotensin II's vasoconstriction of the efferent arteriole) and a diuretic (which drops plasma volume, and thereby RPF)—the so-called "triple whammy" effect. In rarer instances NSAIDs may also cause more severe kidney conditions: Interstitial nephritis Nephrotic syndrome Acute kidney injury Acute tubular necrosis Renal papillary necrosis NSAIDs in combination with excessive use of phenacetin or paracetamol (acetaminophen) may lead to analgesic nephropathy. Photosensitivity

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

Use of methotrexate together with NSAIDs in rheumatoid arthritis is safe, if adequate monitoring is done. Cardiovascular NSAIDs, aside from aspirin, increase the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. This occurs at least within a week of use. They are not recommended in those who have had a previous heart attack as they increase the risk of death or recurrent MI. Evidence indicates that naproxen may be the least harmful out of these.

Crescentic glomerular nephritis associated with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disorder where clinically significant renal involvement is relatively common. However, crescentic glomerular nephritis is a rarely described entity among the rheumatoid nephropathies. We report a case of a patient with rheumatoid arthritis presenting with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-negative crescentic glomerular nephritis. A 54-year-old Sri Lankan woman who had recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis was being treated with methotrexate 10 mg weekly and infrequent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. She presented to our hospital with worsening generalized body swelling and oliguria of 1 month's duration. Her physical examination revealed that she had bilateral pitting leg edema and periorbital edema. She was not pale or icteric. She had evidence of mild synovitis of the small joints of the hand bilaterally with no deformities. No evidence of systemic vasculitis was seen. Her blood pressure was 170/100 mmHg, and her jugular venous pressure was elevated to 7 cm with an undisplaced cardiac apex. Her urine full report revealed 2+ proteinuria with active sediment (dysmorphic red blood cells [17%] and granular casts). Her 24-hour urinary protein excretion was 2 g. Her serum creatinine level was 388 μmol/L. Abdominal ultrasound revealed normal-sized kidneys with acute parenchymal changes and mild ascites. Her renal biopsy showed renal parenchyma containing 20 glomeruli showing diffuse proliferative glomerular nephritis, with 14 of 20 glomeruli showing cellular crescents, and the result of Congo red staining was negative. Her rheumatoid factor was positive with a high titer (120 IU/ml), but results for antinuclear antibody, double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (perinuclear and cytoplasmic) were negative. Antistreptolysin O titer <200 U/ml and cryoglobulins were not detected. The results of her hepatitis serology, retroviral screening, and malignancy screening were negative. Her erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 110 mm in the first hour, and her C-reactive protein level was 45 mg/dl. Her liver profile showed hypoalbuminemia of 28 g/dl. She was treated with immunomodulators and had a good recovery of her renal function. This case illustrates a rare presentation of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-negative crescentic glomerular nephritis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, awareness of which would facilitate early appropriate investigations and treatment.

Pulmonary-renal syndrome

Other causes include systemic lupus erythematosus, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis, dermatomyositis, polymyositis, mixed connective tissue disease, poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic sclerosis. Less common causes also include IgA vasculitis and cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. Other etiologies include toxic injury such as paraquat poisoning, infection with hantavirus, leptospirosis, or legionella, or vascular, as seen in nephrotic syndrome when a renal vein thrombosis embolizes to the lungs. Diagnosis Differential diagnosis Cardiogenic shock can mimic a pulmonary renal syndrome and lead to coughing up blood due to pulmonary edema and kidney failure from inadequate blood flow. Treatment Treatment is primarily by corticosteroids and immunosuppressive medications like cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and azathioprine. Plasmapheresis can be used in some circumstances. References Lung disorders Syndromes

Rheumatoid nodule

Treatment Treatment for rheumatoid nodules may be tricky as some treatments for rheumatoid arthritis can act against the nodules. Common drug therapies for rheumatoid arthritis may show no benefits towards the treatment for rheumatoid nodules. Common drug therapies, such as anti TNF treatment or other immunosuppressive drugs, for rheumatoid arthritis has shown little effect on the nodules. In fact, it has been shown that Methotrexate, a drug often used in rheumatoid arthritis, is actually correlated with the increased risk of nodule formation. Because rheumatoid nodules also cause pain or nerve entrapment, treatment for these symptoms with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be sufficient. Other drug therapies, such as corticosteroids, have shown to decrease nodular size, however, it can increase the risk of infection as well. Local corticosteroid injections seems to be the most studied treatment for rheumatoid nodules as of now.

A survey of renal function in outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The acute renal side-effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are well documented. These include interstitial nephritis, hyperkalaemia, renal tubular acidosis, fluid retention, hypertension and nephrotic syndrome. The long-term effects are less well known. We have carried out a cross-sectional survey of an unselected out-patient population with definite or classical rheumatoid arthritis to determine the prevalence of renal problems in this group. Thirty-four patients (20%) were shown to have an abnormality as defined by our criteria but in the majority this was transient or had been previously recognised. Thirteen patients (8%) had a persistent unexplained abnormality but only 1 had merited renal biopsy using established criteria (Patient 1). We conclude that the long-term use of NSAID's is associated with relatively few renal side-effects.

Interaction of cyclosporine A and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on renal function in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

To determine the additive renal effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and cyclosporine A (CYA) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to determine the effects of CYA on active RA. Eleven patients with RA refractory to other agents were treated separately for 2-week periods with an NSAID (sulindac or naproxen), CYA (5 mg/kg/d), and NSAID plus CYA in combination (NSAID/CYA). The NSAID/CYA combination was continued for an additional 20 weeks. Clinical parameters of RA, electrolytes, renal function, and the renin-aldosterone system were evaluated at each interval to determine the potential interaction of these two agents. Combined therapy was effective in suppressing many measures of active RA in 9 of the 11 patients. Adverse drug reactions were common, but withdrawals were limited to hirsutism (one) and peripheral neuropathy (one). In about half of the patients, CYA or NSAID resulted in a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF), with a mild reduction in the filtration fraction. With NSAID or CYA, early morning renin-aldosterone system values were mildly suppressed, and their response to ambulation/intravenous (IV) furosemide was not blunted. When combined, NSAID/CYA caused more marked reductions of GFR and ERPF at 2 weeks, and this persisted at 20 weeks. The morning renin-aldosterone system values during administration of NSAID/CYA were suppressed, with an added blunted response to ambulation/IV furosemide. As previously suspected, the impairment of renal function when CYA and NSAID are combined is greater than that obtained with either agent alone. This hemodynamic effect was reversible and appeared to be, at least in part, due to renal vasoconstriction.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

Medical uses NSAIDs are often suggested for the treatment of acute or chronic conditions where pain and inflammation are present. NSAIDs are generally used for the symptomatic relief of the following conditions: Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis Mild-to-moderate pain due to inflammation and tissue injury Low back pain Inflammatory arthropathies (e.g., ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis) Tennis elbow Headache Migraine Acute gout Dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) Metastatic bone pain Postoperative pain Muscle stiffness and pain due to Parkinson's disease Pyrexia (fever) Ileus Renal colic Macular edema Traumatic injury Chronic pain and cancer-related pain The effectiveness of NSAIDs for treating non-cancer chronic pain and cancer-related pain in children and adolescents is not clear. There have not been sufficient numbers of high-quality randomised controlled trials conducted.


A first episode of acute low back pain (less than 6 weeks duration), does not require imaging tests in the absence of "red flags" that may indicate an underlying process, such as a fracture, infection or malignant tumor.

A 45-year-old patient who presents with a first episode of low back pain of 3 weeks' evolution that prevents him from carrying out his normal life. She does not refer trauma or other underlying pathology. In the physical examination there is no neurological deficit. Which imaging test would be indicated?

As this is the first episode of low back pain, only a simple X-ray of the lumbar spine.

MRI, which provides more information on soft tissue and possible herniations.

CT scan, to better assess the bone structure and possible fractures.

Back injury

Diagnosis Diagnosis of a back injury begins with a physical examination and thorough medical history by health-care personnel. Some injuries, such as sprains and strains or herniated discs, can be diagnosed in this manner. To confirm these diagnoses, or to rule out other injuries or pathology, imaging of the injured region can be ordered. X-rays are often used to visualize pathology of bones and can be ordered when a vertebral fracture is suspected. CT scans produce higher resolution images when compared to x-rays and can be used to view more subtle fractures which may otherwise go undetected on x-ray. MRI is commonly referred to as the gold standard for visualizing soft tissue and can be used to assist with diagnosing many back injuries, including herniated discs and neurological disorders, bleeding, and edema.

Physical examination for lumbar radiculopathy due to disc herniation in patients with low-back pain.

Low-back pain with leg pain (sciatica) may be caused by a herniated intervertebral disc exerting pressure on the nerve root. Most patients will respond to conservative treatment, but in carefully selected patients, surgical discectomy may provide faster relief of symptoms. Primary care clinicians use patient history and physical examination to evaluate the likelihood of disc herniation and select patients for further imaging and possible surgery. (1) To assess the performance of tests performed during physical examination (alone or in combination) to identify radiculopathy due to lower lumbar disc herniation in patients with low-back pain and sciatica;(2) To assess the influence of sources of heterogeneity on diagnostic performance. We searched electronic databases for primary studies: PubMed (includes MEDLINE), EMBASE, and CINAHL, and (systematic) reviews: PubMed and Medion (all from earliest until 30 April 2008), and checked references of retrieved articles. We considered studies if they compared the results of tests performed during physical examination on patients with back pain with those of diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT, myelography) or findings at surgery. Two review authors assessed the quality of each publication with the QUADAS tool, and extracted details on patient and study design characteristics, index tests and reference standard, and the diagnostic two-by-two table. We presented information on sensitivities and specificities with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for all aspects of physical examination. Pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity were computed for subsets of studies showing sufficient clinical and statistical homogeneity. We included 16 cohort studies (median N = 126, range 71 to 2504) and three case control studies (38 to100 cases). Only one study was carried out in a primary care population. When used in isolation, diagnostic performance of most physical tests (scoliosis, paresis or muscle weakness, muscle wasting, impaired reflexes, sensory deficits) was poor. Some tests (forward flexion, hyper-extension test, and slump test) performed slightly better, but the number of studies was small. In the one primary care study, most tests showed higher specificity and lower sensitivity compared to other settings.Most studies assessed the Straight Leg Raising (SLR) test. In surgical populations, characterized by a high prevalence of disc herniation (58% to 98%), the SLR showed high sensitivity (pooled estimate 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87 to 0.95) with widely varying specificity (0.10 to 1.00, pooled estimate 0.28, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.40). Results of studies using imaging showed more heterogeneity and poorer sensitivity. The crossed SLR showed high specificity (pooled estimate 0.90, 95% CI: 0.85 to 0.94) with consistently low sensitivity (pooled estimate 0.28, 95% CI: 0.22 to 0.35).Combining positive test results increased the specificity of physical tests, but few studies presented data on test combinations. When used in isolation, current evidence indicates poor diagnostic performance of most physical tests used to identify lumbar disc herniation. However, most findings arise from surgical populations and may not apply to primary care or non-selected populations. Better performance may be obtained when tests are combined.

Back pain

Imaging of the spine and laboratory tests is not recommended during the acute phase. This assumes that there is no reason to expect that the person has an underlying problem. In most cases, the pain goes away naturally after a few weeks. Typically, people who do seek diagnosis through imaging are not likely to have a better outcome than those who wait for the condition to resolve. Imaging Magnetic resonance imaging is the preferred modality for the evaluation of back pain and visualize bone, soft tissue, nerves, and ligaments. X-rays are a less costly initial option offered to patients with a low clinical suspicion of infection or malignancy and is combined with laboratory studies for interpretation.

Low back pain

Complaints of low back pain are one of the most common reasons people visit doctors. For pain that has lasted only a few weeks, the pain is likely to subside on its own. Thus, if a person's medical history and physical examination do not suggest a specific disease as the cause, medical societies advise against imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. Individuals may want such tests but, unless red flags are present, they are unnecessary health care. Routine imaging increases costs, is associated with higher rates of surgery with no overall benefit, and the radiation used may be harmful to one's health. Fewer than 1% of imaging tests identify the cause of the problem. Imaging may also detect harmless abnormalities, encouraging people to request further unnecessary testing or to worry. Even so, MRI scans of the lumbar region increased by more than 300% among United States Medicare beneficiaries from 1994 to 2006.

The sensitivity and specificity of the Slump and the Straight Leg Raising tests in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

An accurate and specific diagnosis prevents the recurrences of low back pain and chronic spinal pain. The physical examination is the most useful tool to diagnosis. The examiner must aim to determine the exact tissue that pain arises from to make the specific diagnosis. Lumbar disc herniation is 1 disease that physical examination, symptoms, and findings on imaging technique do not always correlate with each other. The Straight Leg Raising (SLR) test has been used as the primary test to diagnosis lumbar disc herniations and found to have high correlation with findings on operation since its sensitivity is high in only disc herniations leading to root compression that may eventually need operation. More sensitive test, like the Slump, might be used in herniations in which the SLR is negative. The Slump test is really a variant of the SLR and the Lasègue's tests performed in the seated position and is a progressive series of maneuvers designed to place the sciatic nerve roots under increasing tension. At each step in the procedure, the patient informs the examiner what is being felt and whether radicular pain is produced. As a result, the Slump test applies traction to the nerve roots by incorporating spinal and hip joint flexion into the leg raising and would warn the examiner of the presence of nerve root compression when there is a negative SLR test. This study measured the sensitivity and specificity of the Slump test and compare it with the SLR test in patients with and without lumbar disc herniations. A prospective case control study of 75 patients with complaints suggestive of lumbar disc herniation was carried out in the outpatient clinics of the neurosurgery department of a state teaching hospital. Seventy-five referred or self-admitted patients with low back, leg, or low back and leg pain who had results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbar spine were included in the study. Thirty-eight patients had signs of herniation demonstrated by MRI. Control patients (n = 37) had no disc bulges or herniations on MRI. Both the Slump and SLR tests were performed during the assessment of all the patients by the second author. The MRI results were assessed and recorded by the first author. The Slump test was found to be more sensitive (0.84) than the SLR (0.52) in the patients with lumbar disc herniations. However, the SLR was found to be a slightly more specific test (0.89) than the Slump test (0.83). The Slump test might be used more frequently as a sensitive physical examination tool in patients with symptoms of lumbar disc herniations. In contrast, owing to its higher specificity, the SLR test may especially help identify patients who have herniations with root compression requiring surgery.

[Problems of diagnostic assessment in low back patients].

Many different diagnostic procedures are used in patients with low back pain. Medical history and clinical examination, X-rays, computed tomography (CT)-scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diagnostic nerve root blocks and facet injections, functional tests in physiotherapy, strength tests of trunk muscles and work-related performance, and psychological and social evaluation including psychometric tests are only some of them. Despite this large number of procedures available, the scientific literature has not changed its conclusion that in about 80% of all back pain episodes the cause remains unknown. During the course of back pain episodes the relevant factors may change. The cause of the problem or the triggering factor of the pain episode may no longer be important during subacute stages, while others may be decisive for the transition to chronic stages. Thus, assessment of the cause is different from that of prognostic factors. There seems to be no consistent distribution of causes or ongoing factors in the population(s) of patients. While individual social factors may be the one important factor in one patient, functional and structural factors may be significant in another patient. Clinical examination is important, but several problems occur in the evaluation of patients with low back pain. Due to their anatomical location, important bony structures of the lumbar spine, e.g., disks or facet joints, are difficult to access by clinical examination. Additionally, there are only few diagnostic tests during clinical examination that do not rely on the patient's cooperation or communication. The term "unspecific back pain" for the majority of patients is scientifically sound, because it reflects the fact that the cause is unknown. It must be taken into consideration that this term enjoys only limited acceptance by both patients and physicians. Physicians are in charge of certifying work disability by assessing the interference of the patient's illness/disease with the specific requirements of his daily life or job. However, in clinical practice both the job tasks and the patient's abilities to perform these tasks with the given symptoms and signs is still difficult to evaluate and requires further definition.

Radiography for low back pain: a randomised controlled trial and observational study in primary care.

Lumbar spine radiography has limited use in diagnosing the cause of acute low back pain. Consensus-based guidelines recommend that lumbar spine x-rays are not used routinely. However there have been no studies of the effect of referral for radiography at first presentation with low back pain in primary care. To compare short and long-term physical, social, and psychiatric outcomes for patients with low back pain who are referred or not referred for lumbar spine x-ray at first presentation in general practice. A randomised unblinded controlled trial with an observational arm to enable comparisons to be made with patients not recruited to the trial. Ninety-four general practices in south London and the South Thames region. Patients consulting their general practitioner (GP) with low back pain at first presentation were recruited to a randomised controlled trial (RCT) or to an observational group. Patients in the trial were randomly allocated to immediate referral for x-ray or to no referral. All patients were asked to complete questionnaires initially, and then at six weeks and one year after recruitment. Six hundred and fifty-nine patients were recruited over 26 months: 153 to the randomised trial and 506 to the observational arm. In the RCT referral for x-ray had no effect on physical functioning, pain or disability, but was associated with a small improvement in psychological wellbeing at six weeks and one year. These findings were supported by the observational study in which there were no differences between the groups in physical outcomes after adjusting for length of episode at presentation; however, those referred for x-ray had lower depression scores. Referral for lumbar spine radiography for first presentation of low back pain in primary care is not associated with improved physical functioning, pain or disability. The possibility of minor psychological improvement should be balanced against the high radiation dose involved.

Spinal disc herniation

Straight leg raise The straight leg raise is often used as a preliminary test for possible disc herniation in the lumbar region. A variation is to lift the leg while the patient is sitting. However, this reduces the sensitivity of the test. A Cochrane review published in 2010 found that individual diagnostic tests including the straight leg raising test, absence of tendon reflexes, or muscle weakness were not very accurate when conducted in isolation. Spinal imaging Projectional radiography (X-ray imaging). Traditional plain X-rays are limited in their ability to image soft tissues such as discs, muscles, and nerves, but they are still used to confirm or exclude other possibilities such as tumors, infections, fractures, etc. In spite of their limitations, X-rays play a relatively inexpensive role in confirming the suspicion of the presence of a herniated disc. If a suspicion is thus strengthened, other methods may be used to provide final confirmation.

Failed back syndrome

of a failed back syndrome is caused from recurrent disc herniation at the same level originally operated. A rapid removal in a second surgery can be curative. The clinical picture of a recurrent disc herniation usually involves a significant pain-free interval. However, physical findings may be lacking, and a good history is necessary. The time period for the emergence of new symptoms can be short or long. Diagnostic signs such as the straight leg raise test may be negative even if real pathology is present. The presence of a positive myelogram may represent a new disc herniation, but can also be indicative of a post operative scarring situation simply mimicking a new disc. Newer MRI imaging techniques have clarified this dilemma somewhat. Conversely, a recurrent disc can be difficult to detect in the presence of post op scarring. Myelography is inadequate to completely evaluate the patient for recurrent disc disease, and CT or MRI scanning is necessary. Measurement of tissue

Cervical fracture

Diagnosis Physical examination A medical history and physical examination can be sufficient in clearing the cervical spine. Notable clinical prediction rules to determine which patients need medical imaging are Canadian C-spine rule and the National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS). Choice of medical imaging In children, a CT scan of the neck is indicated in more severe cases such as neurologic deficits, whereas X-ray is preferable in milder cases, by both US and UK guidelines. Swedish guidelines recommend CT rather than X-ray in all children over the age of 5. In adults, UK guidelines are largely similar as in children. US guidelines, on the other hand, recommend CT in all cases where medical imaging is indicated, and that X-ray is only acceptable where CT is not readily available.

Low back pain

Imaging is indicated when there are red flags, ongoing neurological symptoms that do not resolve, or ongoing or worsening pain. In particular, early use of imaging (either MRI or CT) is recommended for suspected cancer, infection, or cauda equina syndrome. MRI is slightly better than CT for identifying disc disease; the two technologies are equally useful for diagnosing spinal stenosis. Only a few physical diagnostic tests are helpful. The straight leg raise test is almost always positive in those with disc herniation. Lumbar provocative discography may be useful to identify a specific disc causing pain in those with chronic high levels of low back pain. Similarly, therapeutic procedures such as nerve blocks can be used to determine a specific source of pain. Some evidence supports the use of facet joint injections, transforminal epidural injections and sacroiliac injections as diagnostic tests. Most other physical tests, such as evaluating for scoliosis, muscle weakness or wasting,

Spondylolisthesis

In adults with non-specific low back pain, strong evidence suggests medical imaging should not be done within the first six weeks. It is also suggested to avoid advanced imaging, such as CT or MRI, for adults without neurological symptoms or "red flags" in the patient's history. General recommendations for initial low back pain treatment is remaining active, avoiding twisting and bending, avoiding activities that worsen pain, avoiding bed rest, and possibly initiating a trial of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs after consulting a physician. Children and adolescents with persistent low back pain may require earlier imaging and should be seen by physician. Once imaging is deemed necessary, a combination of plain radiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging may be used. Images are most often taken of the lumbar spine due to spondylolisthesis most commonly involving the lumbar region. Images of the thoracic spine can be taken if a patient's history and physical

[Indications for magnetic resonance imaging for low back pain in adults].

Low back pain is a common disorder that generates many medical consultations. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is commonly used in the clinical management of some of these patients. However, the cost of inappropriate MRI use is high, so there is a need to develop guidelines to help physicians make correct decisions and optimize available resources. To determine the main clinical indications for MRI scanning in adults with low back pain. The RAND/UCLA appropriateness method was used: After a systematic review (May 2012), a list of the clinical indications for MRI scanning in patients with low back pain was prepared. A multidisciplinary expert panel scored each indication from 1, «totally inappropriate» to 9, «totally appropriate». A first on-line round, an in-person panel meeting, where results of the first round were discussed, and a final second on-line round were arranged. A clinical indication was considered appropriate if the median score was 6.5 or higher, and there was agreement between experts (IPRAS index was used). An MRI test is considered appropriate if cancer, spinal infection or a fracture, even with a negative X-ray test is suspected.; if there is inflammatory back pain; severe/progressive neurological deficit; severe and progressive low back pain; subacute or chronic low back pain with radicular involvement unresponsive to conservative therapy. Clinical indications for a MRI scanning are based on the suspicion of a secondary serious pathology. This methodology helps to set clinical indications for MRI, and may be of great value for both clinicians and health managers.

Clearing the cervical spine

Medical imaging Choice of method In children, a CT scan of the neck is indicated in more severe cases such as neurologic deficits, whereas X-ray is preferable in milder cases, by both US and UK guidelines. Swedish guidelines recommend CT rather than X-ray in all children over the age of 5. In adults, UK guidelines are largely similar as in children. US guidelines, on the other hand, recommend CT in all cases where medical imaging is indicated, and that X-ray is only acceptable where CT is not readily available. Magnetic resonance imaging may be useful if it is necessary to exclude a ligament injury. The indication for MR spine is a focal neurological deficit. Another indication for MR of the cervical spine is persistent mid-line neck pain or tenderness despite a normal CT in the awake patient. Imaging settings X-ray consists of a three view cervical x-ray series, adding a swimmer's view if the lateral doesn't include the C7/T1 interface.

Spinal disc herniation

Magnetic resonance imaging is the gold standard study for confirming a suspected LDH. With a diagnostic accuracy of 97%, it is the most sensitive study to visualize a herniated disc due to its significant ability in soft tissue visualization. MRI also has higher inter-observer reliability than other imaging modalities. It suggests disc herniation when it shows an increased T2-weighted signal at the posterior 10% of the disc. Degenerative disc diseases have shown a correlation with Modic type 1 changes. When evaluating for postoperative lumbar radiculopathies, the recommendation is that the MRI is performed with contrast unless otherwise contraindicated. MRI is more effective than CT in distinguishing inflammatory, malignant, or inflammatory etiologies of LDH. It is indicated relatively early in the course of evaluation (<8 weeks) when the patient presents with relative indications like significant pain, neurological motor deficits, and cauda equina syndrome. Diffusion tensor imaging

[The clinical history and physical examination in patients with chronic lumbar pain. Patient classification by a decision tree].

To analyze the correlation between clinical symptoms and physical examination signs in diagnostic groups of low back pain patients; making a spanning tree. A prospective longitudinal study of 485 low back pain patients was carried. We assess the type of pain and its irradiation, evolution in time, duration of the episodes, timetable, intensity and morning stiffness. A complete physical examination with specific tests for sacroiliac joints and neurologic examination was carried. We carried out a study of absolute and relative frequencies; calculating the rates with the chi 2 Pearson test and having a confidence of 95%. We found a significant relation (p < 0.0001) between the type of pain and the diagnosis groups. Proximal irradiation with functional disorders (p < 0.01) and metabolic bone diseases (p < 0.0001); the radicular irradiation and the disorders by physical agents (p < 0.001). The flare-up back pain with disorders by physical agents and metabolic bone diseases (p < 0.001). The morning stiffness was exclusive in the inflammatory diseases. In the physical examination, was found a significant relation (p < 0.0001) between the different tests with the diagnostic groups. The history and the physical examination provide us symptoms and signs which let us direct towards the above diagnostic. The type of pain with its characteristics and the referred pain as a main symptoms, give us some information, which complemented with the physical examination tests, providing the base on which we support our diagnostic hypothesis, allow us the first classification of the patients; at the same time we understand as a low back pain patients suffer its problem.

InternalMed_Harrison

LABORATORY, IMAgINg, AND EMg STuDIES Laboratory studies are rarely needed for the initial evaluation of nonspecific acute (<3 months in duration) low back pain (ALBP). Risk factors for a serious underlying cause and for infection, tumor, or fracture, in particular, should be sought by history and exam. If risk factors are present (Table 22-1), then laboratory studies (complete blood count [CBC], erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], urinalysis) are indicated. If risk factors are absent, then management is conservative (see “Treatment,” below) Computed tomography (CT) scanning is superior to routine x-rays for the detection of fractures involving posterior spine structures, craniocervical and cervicothoracic junctions, C1 and C2 aReverse straight leg–raising sign present—see “Examination of the Back.” bThese muscles receive the majority of innervation from this root.

Hip fracture

Diagnosis Physical examination Displaced fractures of the trochanter or femoral neck will classically cause external rotation and shortening of the leg when the patient is laying supine. Imaging Typically, radiographs are taken of the hip from the front (AP view), and side (lateral view). Frog leg views are to be avoided, as they may cause severe pain and further displace the fracture. In situations where a hip fracture is suspected but not obvious on x-ray, an MRI is the next test of choice. If an MRI is not available or the patient can not be placed into the scanner a CT may be used as a substitute. MRI sensitivity for radiographically occult fracture is greater than CT. Bone scan is another useful alternative however substantial drawbacks include decreased sensitivity, early false negative results and decreased conspicuity of findings due to age-related metabolic changes in the elderly. A case demonstrating a possible order of imaging in initially subtle findings:

Lumbosacral Radiculopathy -- Evaluation

Given the favorable outcome and often spontaneous resolution of the vast majority of low back pain symptoms, extensive imaging is usually not necessary in patients with low back pain of less than four to six weeks duration. As stated above, work-up begins with a thorough physical exam. Neurologic deficits in a focal distribution warrant further workup. In cases of low back pain that fails to resolve within one to two months, MRI is considered the gold standard in evaluating radicular low back pain. Of note, MRI with contrast is recommended in patients with previous spinal surgeries. For patients unable to undergo MRI, a CT scan is an alternative option. However, CT is not as sensitive in visualizing soft tissue or tumors and is not recommended for routine use. X-rays are simple, readily available in most developed countries, and can reveal gross bony abnormalities such as fractures, disc space narrowing, and other osteodegenerative changes. Often, it is not clinically possible to distinguish lumbosacral radiculopathy from peripheral neuropathy or plexopathy. In these instances, electromyography and nerve conduction studies can be utilized to localize a lesion with relatively high diagnostic specificity. [7]

The role of radiography in primary care patients with low back pain of at least 6 weeks duration: a randomised (unblinded) controlled trial.

To test the hypotheses that: (1) Lumbar spine radiography in primary care patients with low back pain is not associated with improved patient outcomes, including pain, disability, health status, sickness absence, reassurance, and patient satisfaction or belief in the value of radiography. (2) Lumbar spine radiography in primary care patients with low back pain is not associated with changes in patient management, including medication use, and the use of primary and secondary care services, physical therapies and complementary therapies. (3) Participants choosing their treatment group (i.e. radiography or no radiography) do not have better outcomes than those randomised to a treatment group. (4) Lumbar spine radiography is not cost-effective compared with usual care without lumbar spine radiography. A randomised unblinded controlled trial. Seventy-three general practices in Nottingham, North Nottinghamshire, Southern Derbyshire, North Lincolnshire and North Leicestershire. Fifty-two practices recruited participants to the trial. Randomised arm: 421 participants with low back pain, with median duration of 10 weeks. Patient preference arm: 55 participants with low back pain, with median duration of 11 weeks. Lumbar spine radiography and usual care versus usual care without radiography. Roland adaptation of the Sickness Impact Profile, visual analogue pain scale, health status scale, EuroQol, use of primary and secondary care services, and physical and complementary therapies, sickness absence, medication use, patient satisfaction, reassurance and belief in value of radiography at 3 and 9 months post-randomisation. Participants randomised to receive an X-ray were more likely to report low back pain at 3 months (odds ratio (OR) = 1.56; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02 to 2.40) and had a lower overall health status score (p = 0.02). There were no differences in health or functional status at 9 months. A higher proportion of participants consulted the general practitioner (GP) in the 3 months following an X-ray (OR = 2.72; 95% CI, 1.80 to 4.10). There were no differences in use of any other services, medication use or sickness absence at 3 or 9 months. No serious spinal pathology was identified in either group. The commonest X-ray reports were of discovertebral degeneration and normal findings. Many patients did not perceive their information needs were met within the consultation. Satisfaction with care was greater in the group receiving radiography at 9 months. Participants randomised to receive an X-ray were not less worried, or more reassured about serious disease causing their low back pain. Satisfaction was associated with meeting participants' information needs and reduced belief in the necessity for investigations for low back pain, including X-rays and blood tests. In both groups, at 3 and 9 months 80% of participants would choose to have an X-ray if the choice was available. Participants in the patient preference group achieved marginally better outcomes than those randomised to a treatment group, but the clinical significance of these differences is unclear. Lumbar spine radiography was associated with a net economic loss at 3 and 9 months. Lumbar spine radiography in primary care patients with low back pain of at least 6 weeks duration is not associated with improved functioning, severity of pain or overall health status, and is associated with an increase in GP workload. Participants receiving X-rays are more satisfied with their care, but are not less worried or more reassured about serious disease causing their low back pain. CONCLUSIONS - RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Further work is required to develop and test an educational package that educates patients and GPs about the utility of radiography and provides strategies for identifying and meeting the information needs of patients, and the needs of patients and GPs to be reassured about missing serious disease. Guidelines on the management of low back pain in primary care should be consistent about not recommending lumbar spine radiography in patients with low back pain in the absence of red flags for serious spinal pathology, even if the pain has persisted for at least 6 weeks.

Low back pain

Workers who experience acute low back pain as a result of a work injury may be asked by their employers to have x-rays. As in other cases, testing is not indicated unless red flags are present. An employer's concern about legal liability is not a medical indication and should not be used to justify medical testing when it is not indicated. There should be no legal reason for encouraging people to have tests which a health care provider determines are not indicated. Research Total disc replacement is an experimental option, but no significant evidence supports its use over lumbar fusion. Researchers are investigating the possibility of growing new intervertebral structures through the use of injected human growth factors, implanted substances, cell therapy, and tissue engineering. References External links Back Pain at MedlinePlus.gov

X-rays and scans can fail to differentiate hip pathology from lumbar spinal stenosis: Two case reports.

Occasionally, hip pathologies may present alone or combined with lumbar spine pathology, especially lumbar stenosis. Although the history and clinical examination may help differentiate between the two, hip X-rays alone without accompanying magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies may prove unreliable. Case 1 - A 72-year-old male presented with the sudden onset of severe back and left posterior thigh pain. Straight leg raising test was positive at 70° (right) and 60° (left), and he had left lower extremity numbness and weakness. The lumbar MRI showed L5-S1 spinal stenosis. Although X-rays of both hips were negative, the MRI showed bilateral femoral neck fractures. He underwent screw fixation of the hip fractures and later underwent endoscopic decompression of the spinal stenosis. Case 2 - A 35-year-old male presented with low backache and right hip pain of 1 month's duration. The neurological examination was normal, except for positive straight leg raising bilaterally at 60°. The spine MRI was normal. However, despite negative X-ray of both hips, the hip MRI revealed avascular necrosis (AVN) of both femoral heads requiring subsequent orthopedic management. Hip pathology may mimic lumbar spinal stenosis. In the two cases presented, plain X-rays failed to document hip fractures (case 1) and AVN (case 2), respectively, both of which were later diagnosed on MRI studies.

Computed tomography as the primary radiological examination of lumbar spine.

A series of 235 patients examined by lumbar CT because of sciatica or other low back disorder was studied. The need of additional examinations and correlations to surgical findings were evaluated. Inadequate information was the cause of additional examination, mostly myelography in 20 patients (8.5%). It was concluded that lumbar CT is a suitable first examination of the lumbar spine in sciatica and low back pain. The indications to complementary myelography and its benefit are discussed.

The effect of restricting the indications for lumbosacral spine radiography in patients with acute back symptoms.

A prospective study was performed to evaluate the effect of using a special requisition form on the utilization of lumbosacral spine radiography for patients presenting in the emergency room with acute lower back complaints. Over a 1-year period, emergency room house officers were encouraged to complete a special form that listed only three acceptable indications for lumbosacral spine radiographs: history of trauma, evidence of focal neurologic abnormality, and "other." Neurologic abnormalities included hypesthesia, hyperesthesia or anesthesia of lumbar or sacral dermatomes, weakness or hyporeflexia of the lower extremities, and bladder or bowel incontinence. If the indication "other" was chosen, radiographs were done only if the form contained both a one- to two-sentence history and the signed approval of a supervising attending physician. The number and results of lumbosacral spine examinations were compared with those from the previous year, which served as a control. In the control year 1443 examinations were performed, and in the experimental year only 759 were done (a decrease of 47%). The percentage of patients with vertebral fractures increased from 5.1% to 5.8% in the experimental year if only the detection of new fractures was considered positive, and from 9.1% to 13.4% if the detection of fractures of all ages was regarded as significant. The use of the special requisition form appears to be a simple and effective means of reducing unnecessary lumbosacral radiography in the emergency room setting.

[Medical imaging of low back pain].

The indication for a radiological examination of a patient with low back pain by CT or MRI scans is based on age, medical history and clinical findings. The result of morphological (and possibly structural) tests should be consistent with the clinical findings. In fact, the scans often do not provide very powerful evidence. The elderly patient frequently has permanent deformations or primary or secondary malignant bone lesions and therefore requires special tests.

Low back pain

In most episodes of low back pain, a specific underlying cause is not identified or even looked for, with the pain believed to be due to mechanical problems such as muscle or joint strain. If the pain does not go away with conservative treatment or if it is accompanied by "red flags" such as unexplained weight loss, fever, or significant problems with feeling or movement, further testing may be needed to look for a serious underlying problem. In most cases, imaging tools such as X-ray computed tomography are not useful and carry their own risks. Despite this, the use of imaging in low back pain has increased. Some low back pain is caused by damaged intervertebral discs, and the straight leg raise test is useful to identify this cause. In those with chronic pain, the pain processing system may malfunction, causing large amounts of pain in response to non-serious events.

Spinal stenosis

MRI MRI has become the most frequently used study to diagnose spinal stenosis. The MRI uses electromagnetic signals to produce images of the spine. MRIs are helpful because they show more structures, including nerves, muscles, and ligaments, than seen on X-rays or CT scans. MRIs are helpful at showing exactly what is causing spinal nerve compression. CT myelogram A spinal tap is performed in the low back with dye injected into the spinal fluid. X-rays are performed followed by a CT scan of the spine to help see narrowing of the spinal canal. This is a very effective study in cases of lateral recess stenosis. It is also necessary for patients in which MRI is contraindicated, such as those with implanted pacemakers. Red flags Fever Nocturnal pain Gait disturbance Structural deformity Unexplained weight loss Previous carcinoma Severe pain upon lying down Recent trauma with suspicious fracture Presence of severe or progressive neurologic deficit

Lumbar spine films in primary care: current use and effects of selective ordering criteria.

Low back pain (LBP) often prompts radiography, although the diagnostic yield of lumbar spine films is low, and many radiographic abnormalities are unrelated to symptoms. Criteria have been proposed for selective x-ray use, but their value and safety are uncertain. To evaluate these criteria, the authors prospectively studied 621 walk-in patients with LBP. The yield of explanatory x-ray findings was over three times greater among patients with indications for radiography than among those without. Furthermore, an indication for x-rays existed for all patients found to have a malignancy, and for 13 of 14 patients with an identified fracture. Actual physician ordering, however, did not correspond well with the recommended indications. Application of selective criteria appears safe and may improve the yield of useful findings. It may not, however, reduce x-ray utilization from current levels without further refinement in the criteria.

[Clinical evaluation of low back pain].

On the diagnosis of backache, at first ask patients detailed questions about medical history of backache, the situation at the time of onset and process of the pain, intensity and location on the body of the pain, which movement to strengthen them or which posture to moderate them. Following them, check the abnormality of how to walk and the normal curvature of the spine at standing from behind and the side. Examine the movement and flexibility of the lumbar spine in bending forward, backward and twisting. After them, examine the neurological functions on their legs to search paralysis, muscle weakness, reflex changes and sensory changes. Observe lumbar part and check the presence of redness, swelling and hyperthermia, and examine a location of tenderness. X-rays, CT or MRI examination can be performed if necessary, but should not be fascinated by only image findings, and it is necessary to evaluate in total them with the results of physical examinations.

Lumbar Spine Imaging -- Plain Films -- Imaging Modalities

There is a wide array of imaging modalities for evaluating the lumbar spine. The type of test depends on the pathology, the amount of radiation involved, contraindications, and any allergy to contrast. The American College of Radiology considers these and has recommendations on the kind of test based on symptoms. ACR appropriateness criteria can help to select the right imaging modality based on suspected pathology for symptoms such as suspected spine trauma, low back pain, low back pain with fever, etc. [4] [6]

Guideline update: what's the best approach to acute low back pain?

GRADE A RECOMMENDATIONS (based on good-quality patient-oriented evidence): Advise patients to stay active and continue ordinary activity within the limits permitted by pain, avoid bed rest, and return to work early, which is associated with less disability. Consider McKenzie exercises, which are helpful for pain radiating below the knee. Recommend acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) if medication is necessary. COX-2 inhibitors, muscle relaxants, and opiate analgesics have not been shown to be more effective than NSAIDs for acute low back pain. Consider imaging if patients have no improvement after 6 weeks, although diagnostic tests or imaging is not usually required. GRADE B RECOMMENDATIONS (based on inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence): Reassure patients that 90% of episodes resolve within 6 weeks-regardless of treatment. Advise patients that minor flares-ups may occur in the subsequent year. Consider a plain lumbosacral spine x-ray if there is suspicion of spinal fracture or compression. Consider a bone scan after 10 days, if fracture is still suspected or the patient has multiple sites of pain. Suspect cauda equina syndrome or severe or progressive neurological deficit if red flags are present. Obtain complete blood count, urinalysis, and sedimentation rate if cancer or infection are possibilities. If still suspicious, consider referral or perform other studies. Remember that a negative plain film x-ray does not rule out disease. GRADE C RECOMMENDATIONS (based on consensus, usual practice, opinion, disease-oriented evidence, or case series): Recommend ice for painful areas and stretching exercises. Discuss the use of proper body mechanics and safe back exercises for injury prevention. Refer for goal-directed manual physical therapy if there is no improvement in 1 to 2 weeks, not modalities such as heat, traction, ultrasound, or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Do not refer for surgery in the absence of red flags.

[Functional radiography of the lumbar spine. I. History and method of dynamic tests].

The relevancy of functional radiographies of the lumbar spine (extension-flexion; inclinations) was determined by using radiographies of patients (n = 36), radiographed following a standardized technique. As well the total as the segmental movement amplitude of the lumbar spine were examined. As to the segmental mobility, in this first publication the criteria are sought to define hyper- and hypo-mobility. When one handles these criteria, the correlation with the clinical findings will be examined and this is the subject of a second publication in progress.