Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements (Detail) - Assets and Liabilities Not Recorded at Fair Value (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Assets:
Notes receivable carrying value	$ 46,672
Liabilities:
Notes payable carrying value	307,337	409,985
Merus Labs Note Receivable [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Notes receivable fair value	34,999
Merus Labs Note Receivable [Member]
Assets:
Notes receivable carrying value	35,000
Senior Secured Note Receivable [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Notes receivable fair value	9,813
Senior Secured Note Receivable [Member]
Assets:
Notes receivable carrying value	9,922
Other Notes Receivable [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Notes receivable fair value	1,750
Other Notes Receivable [Member]
Assets:
Notes receivable carrying value	1,750
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Series 2012 Notes [Member]
Liabilities:
Notes payable fair value	239,413
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Convertible May 2015 Notes [Member]
Liabilities:
Notes payable fair value	191,152	156,123
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Convertible February 2015 Notes [Member]
Liabilities:
Notes payable fair value	1,338	191,475
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] | Non-Recourse Notes [Member]
Liabilities:
Notes payable fair value		95,237
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Assets:
Notes receivable fair value	44,812
Liabilities:
Notes payable fair value	431,903	442,835
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Assets:
Notes receivable fair value	1,750
Series 2012 Notes [Member]
Liabilities:
Notes payable carrying value	164,065
Convertible May 2015 Notes [Member]
Liabilities:
Notes payable carrying value	142,282	138,952
Convertible February 2015 Notes [Member]
Liabilities:
Notes payable carrying value	990	177,663
Non-Recourse Notes [Member]
Liabilities:
Notes payable carrying value		$ 93,370