Objective:To determine whether specific neuroreflex points exist on the auricles of subjects suffering from idiopathic chronic low back pain(icLBP).Methods:Using the pressure pain test(PPT),we tested both auricles of 100 patients with icLBP[as low back pain(LBP)group]and those of 100 healthy subjects[as healthy control(HC)group].Results:The average number of painful points,in the 17,18,and 19 sectors of ROMOLI M's sectogram,and in the Lumbosacral Vertebrae(AH9),Hip(AH5),and Heart of Posterior Surface(P1)areas according to the Chinese standardized paper,was significantly higher in the LBP group compared to the HC group(P<0.05).In particular,in the LBP group,painful points could be clearly clustered into two main areas based on anatomy,which we called L1 and L2.In all other areas and sectors of the auricle,the average number of painful points did not differ significantly between the two groups.In the LBP group,94.7%of patients had at least one painful point in the two areas.Conclusion:L1 and L2 are two specific points on the auricle that can reflect icLBP.

Objective:To determine whether specific neuroreflex points exist on the auricles of subjects suffering from idiopathic chronic low back pain(icLBP).Methods:Using the pressure pain test(PPT),we tested both auricles of 100 patients with icLBP[as low back pain(LBP)group]and those of 100 healthy subjects[as healthy control(HC)group].Results:The average number of painful points,in the 17,18,and 19 sectors of ROMOLI M's sectogram,and in the Lumbosacral Vertebrae(AH9),Hip(AH5),and Heart of Posterior Surface(P1)areas according to the Chinese standardized paper,was significantly higher in the LBP group compared to the HC group(P<0.05).In particular,in the LBP group,painful points could be clearly clustered into two main areas based on anatomy,which we called L1 and L2.In all other areas and sectors of the auricle,the average number of painful points did not differ significantly between the two groups.In the LBP group,94.7%of patients had at least one painful point in the two areas.Conclusion:L1 and L2 are two specific points on the auricle that can reflect icLBP.

Granulomatous mastitis is a rare benign inflammatory disease of the breast with multiple etiologies such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, foreign body reaction, and mycotic and parasitic infections. In contrast, idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is characterized by the presence of chronic granulomatous lobulitis in the absence of an obvious etiology. Clinically and radiologically it may mimic breast carcinoma and so awareness of surgeons, pathologists, and radiologists is essential to avoid unnecessary mastectomies. Cases of IGM are reported during antidepressant therapy in patients also showing high levels of prolactinemia. In these cases, we believe that surgical excision must be avoided being replaced with a conservative management of the pathological condition based on a corticosteroid treatment.
Breast ; Foreign-Body Reaction ; Granulomatous Mastitis ; Humans ; Hydrazines ; Hyperprolactinemia ; Immunoglobulin M ; Mastectomy ; Sarcoidosis ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors ; Tuberculosis