Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Dec 2024
ReviewLiterature review of spinal hematoma case reports: causes and outcomes in pediatric, obstetric, neuraxial and pain medicine cases.
The risk of spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) has been described in the literature but the impact in various patient populations has not been assessed in the same study. We identified the risk factors for SEH and calculated the OR for recovery in the pediatric, adult and obstetric (OB) patients based on the degree of neurological deficit before surgery. ⋯ Our data show a preponderance of spontaneous SEH in all patient populations. SEH developed even though the ASRA guidelines were followed, especially in patients on multiple anticoagulants. Patients with less impairment prior to surgery had a higher likelihood of complete recovery, regardless of the interval between surgery and onset of symptoms.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Dec 2024
Comparative StudyCorrelation between epidural space depth measured with ultrasound and MRI compared to clinical loss of resistance when performing lumbar epidural steroid injection.
This prospective study assessed the accuracy of MRI and ultrasound (US) measurements as a preprocedural assessment tool for predicting clinical loss of resistance depth (CLORD) during fluoroscopy-guided lumbar epidural steroid injections (ESIs). ⋯ MRI measurements are preferable over US for preprocedural assessment of patients receiving lumbar ESIs for predicting CLORD.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Dec 2024
Observational StudyUltrasound estimates of the epidural depth in the paramedian sagittal oblique and transverse median planes: the correlation between estimated and actual depth to the epidural space in children with scoliosis.
The present study aimed to compare the correlation and agreement of epidural depth estimation using ultrasound in the paramedian sagittal oblique (PSO) versus the transverse median (TM) plane relative to the actual epidural depth observed during midline epidural punctures in children with scoliosis. ⋯ The PSO view can be a reliable guide to facilitate epidural puncture in children with scoliosis with better visualization.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Dec 2024
Cost of sterility: probe covers should not be mandated for single-shot peripheral nerve blocks.
Ultrasound guidance has become ubiquitous with regional anesthesia, but little consistency exists on necessary ultrasound probe hygiene and sterility barriers. Fear of possible infection has led to calls for universal use of sterile ultrasound probe covers. ⋯ While various parties have labeled single-shot nerve blocks as a sterile procedure, in practice, it is a clean technique. In this article, we argue that mandating the use of probe covers is unnecessary and that it should be left to the anesthesiologist to determine what type of anti-infection equipment is necessary for single-shot nerve blocks based on their practice situation and expertize.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Dec 2024
ReviewApproaches to neuropathic amputation-related pain: narrative review of surgical, interventional, and medical treatments.
Neuropathic amputation-related pain can consist of phantom limb pain (PLP), residual limb pain (RLP), or a combination of both pathologies. Estimated of lifetime prevalence of pain and after amputation ranges between 8% and 72%. ⋯ Multimodal approaches combining pharmacotherapy, surgery and invasive neuromodulation procedures would appear to be the most promising strategy for preventive and treating PLP and RLP. Future efforts should focus on cross-disciplinary education to increase awareness of treatment options exploring best practices for preventing pain at the time of amputation and enhancing treatment of chronic postamputation pain.