Vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are common in multiple myeloma (MM). Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is used to stabilize vertebral collapse and treat the pain. Few studies have been carried out on PVP in MM and follow-up has tended to be short. We have prospectively evaluated the safety and efficacy of PVP in the VCFs resulting from MM or plasmacytomas. Nineteen PVP were performed in 12 consecutive patients. We monitored their pain and functional status using visual analog (VAS) and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) scale, respectively. For a subjective assessment, every patient was asked about his/her degree of satisfaction. The mean age of the participants was 66 yr. Significant improvement occurred 1 d after PVP according to the VAS score (7.5 pre-PVP to 3.7, P < 0.0001) and ECOG assessment (3.1 to 2.5, P = 0.002). This significant improvement was maintained after 3.2 yr of follow-up. Sixty-three percent of patients were highly satisfied with the result of the PVP and 37% were satisfied. The peri-operative mortality was 0%. Leakage of the cement outside of the vertebral body was noted in 16 of 19 injected vertebrae (84%) but none of the patients developed any clinical or neurological symptoms. At the last follow-up, no further collapse in the treated or neighboring vertebrae was noted. VCFs caused by MM or plasmacytomas can be effectively treated by vertebroplasty. PVP is associated with early clinical improvement of pain and function and can be maintained after a long follow-up without major procedure-related complications.

Background and Aim In Spain, one out of every four births is a cesarean delivery and in most cases complications occur such as adhesions. Adhesions may cause functional problems, as well as psychological and esthetic problems, such as pain and itchiness.A correct scarring restores connections and replaces the lost tissue, preserving esthetics and functionality. The final change in tissue tone will be responsible for the correct reestablishment of the vascular network. If this does not occur correctly, we may encounter situations with a high level of hypervascularization (hypothermic areas) and the probability of generating fibrosis. Infrared thermography (IT) is a complementary imaging test which is able to capture the infrared radiation emitted by the human body and transform this information into a thermal image. There is proportionality between skin temperature and skin blood flow, therefore, the thermal images provide us with information on skin blood flow. These data are then used to identify the areas of hypervascularization or local inflammation. Aims The aim of this study was to evaluate whether scar tissue has a different temperature to the surrounding tissue, also to detect areas of hyperthermia (hipervascularization) and apply percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) using thermography as a tool for assessment and monitoring. Material and Methods A case study of a woman aged 34 years with two cesarean section scars, the last of which took place 6 months before.Four sessions of PNE were performed using IT as a method to identify treatment points, with a time interval of 21 days between each application. Via infrared thermography, the scar area was assessed and the points where a greater temperature was registered were marked. Subsequently, the PNE technique was applied, performing 3 impacts with a duration of 3 seconds and with an intensity of 4 mA in each point marked. The intervention procedure was performed under ultrasound guidance, based on a transverse section of the scar and positioning the needle on the long axis, at a 45° tilt from the skin. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was registered in the first and last session. Results After the performance of PNE on the hyperthermic points of the scar, the VAS decreased from 5 points to 0 and both the mean scar temperature in relation to the surrounding tissue improved, also, there was a reduction of the hyperthermic points. Conclusion Infrared thermography may be a complementary imaging tool for finding alterations in the mean temperature of a scar tissue and identifying hyperthermic points which are a therapeutic target in the treatment with PNE. Besides, it could become a follow-up tool to monitor the evolution of the temperature of the scar, and therefore the effectiveness of the treatment applied. Despite the results obtained in this case, further studies are required.