Electrical stimulation for idiopathic scoliosis

To evaluate the effectiveness of lateral electrical spinal stimulation for idiopathic scoliosis, 87 patients treated with this modality were reviewed retrospectively. All patients had no prior treatment, had a documented progression of more than 5 degrees, and were skeletally immature. Forty-seven patients were compliant and followed until skeletal maturity or institution of other treatment. Fifty percent of patients with a high probability of progression required surgery. For compliant patients, 51% progressed 5 degrees or more and 36% progressed 10 degrees or more or required a change to another treatment modality. Statistical analysis demonstrated no significant difference in the probability of progression between this group of treated patients and previously published groups of untreated patients.

Poly(anhydride) administration in high doses in vivo: studies of biocompatibility and toxicology

Poly(anhydrides) proposed for use as vehicles for controlled drug delivery were administered subcutaneously in Sprague-Dawley rats at two dosage levels (800 mg/kg rat and 2400 mg/kg rat) for a period of eight weeks. Biocompatibility was assessed using a number of methods. Thirty-six clinical chemistry and hematology parameters were monitored throughout the study. Blood values were statistically analyzed for any possible effects due to the implanted polymer. After 8 weeks, rats were sacrificed and complete necropsies were performed. Histological evaluations of 33 organ sites including heart, lung, liver, kidney, and brain were performed. In addition, subcutaneous implant sites were excised and examined both grossly and microscopically. Results from evaluations of blood chemistry and hematology data, organ analyses and local implant site analyses overall demonstrated that the poly(anhydride) biomaterial possessed excellent in vivo biocompatibility.

A computerized patient registration and treatment randomization system for multi-institutional clinical trials

Computerized registration and randomization for a cooperative clinical trials group is a useful addition to its data gathering and managing process. An automated system eliminates unnecessary paperwork, allows more sophisticated randomization algorithms to be implemented, and makes available a variety of computer-generated reports such as confirmation of registration forms, accrual results, and other statistical tables. This paper describes the design and implementation of such a system for a relatively large cooperative group, the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), as well as gives general recommendations for conversion of a manual registration and randomization process to an automated one. Our general interactive system, known as PRS for Patient Randomization System, was designed to be easily expandable as its functions increase over time, and transportable to other clinical trials settings.