In women with established osteoporosis, wearing Spinomed orthosis for at least 2 h/day for 6 months decreased back pain significantly and increased personal isometric trunk muscle strength. All spinal orthoses could be valuable instruments to help all requested rehabilitation programs like spine muscles' strengthening and postural correct behavior, but only when used properly.

We report 2 cases of sacroiliitis in a 13-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy as the sole manifestation of Brucella melitensis infection. This is a rare condition. Throughout the course of the disease, neither the girl nor the boy had other signs of brucellosis. Sacroiliitis was documented by positive results of technetium 99m scintigraphy and magnetic resonance imaging. Isolation of B. melitensis from the blood and positive results of serologic methods established the diagnosis. Treatment consisted of bed rest and a combination of rifampin plus co-trimoxazole with gentamicin. Brucellar sacroiliitis is uncommon in children, and accurate diagnosis is frequently delayed because of nonspecific clinical presentation. In the appropriate clinical setting, we suggest that the index of suspicion for brucellar sacroiliitis be raised in an unusual joint, especially in endemic regions.

Proximal median nerve compression can be seen in association with cubital tunnel syndrome. Careful evaluation of the reported symptoms as well as thorough clinical examination are the keystone of the correct diagnosis. Also, on the basis of this study, we believe that concurrent decompression can be performed through a single medial incision, though extensive dissection may be required.

Objectives To study changes in cytokine levels and radiographic findings (mTSS) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients newly treated with etanercept (ETA). Methods In our 19 pts who started ETA during Nov/2005 - Jan/2007 (2 men; mean age, 62.0 yo; mean disease duration, 8.7 yrs), cytokine (IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, TNFa) levels were determined at baseline, week 4, 24 to assess relationship of RA activity and radiographic findings. Results Mean DAS28 (ESR) at baseline, & week 4, 24: 6.7, 5.0, 3.8 respectively. Compared to baseline, TNFaat week 24 significantly increased (2.3 vs 96.9). IL-6 significantly decreased (37.4 vs 9.73). Mean mTSS was 92±62 at baseline and 94±64 at week 24; 9 pts achieved radiographic remission (ΔmTSS ≤0.5). Analysis of factors affecting radiographic remission showed no significant variable of patient’s background. Cytokine levels in the remission group appeared to be lower at week 24: IL-4 (91 vs 351), IL-6 (6.8 vs 12.4), IL-8 (5.0 vs 10.8), TNFa (91.0 vs 102.2), but no significant difference. Conclusions We evaluated the relationship between radiographic remission and cytokine changes in the course of ETA treatment. Although the remission group had a decreasing tendency of IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, TNFaat week 24, no significant difference was seen. Disclosure of Interest None Declared