Pain management
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Traditional (40-50 Hz) spinal column stimulation is an efficacious and widely accepted treatment for chronic neuropathic pain conditions. However, there are major challenges including its ineffectiveness for axial back pain, the burden of paresthesia-related discomfort and difficulties producing indisputable research. ⋯ Dorsal root ganglion stimulation may be useful in certain subsets of patients with dermatomal distribution of pain. Other scientific data and technological improvements such as recent research on cost-effectiveness, MRI compatibility and very recent advances in spinal column stimulation are appraised.
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Postoperative pain is a considerable issue in the Gulf region; however, at present there is a lack of comprehensive guidelines addressing postoperative pain management in the region. Therefore, an expert panel of pain specialists convened to address this issue and a set of key recommendations has been developed pertinent to the practice of postoperative pain management in the Gulf region (Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen). These recommendations take into consideration the unique variation in cultural, religious and societal beliefs found in the region, as well as varying accessibility to pain medications, thereby aiming to serve as evidence-based guidance on the best practice management of postoperative pain in the Gulf region.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Flurbiprofen 8.75 mg lozenges for treating sore throat symptoms: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
This study assessed multiple doses of flurbiprofen 8.75 mg lozenges for the relief of three prominent symptoms of acute pharyngitis: pain intensity (primary end point), difficulty swallowing and swollen throat. ⋯ Multiple doses of flurbiprofen lozenges provide effective relief of sore throat pain intensity as well as difficulty swallowing and swollen throat.
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Case Reports
Delayed onset paraparesis complicating epidural steroid injection with underlying spinal dural arteriovenous fistula.
We report a case of a 48-year-old man with chronic back pain attributed to discogenic lumbar radiculopathy who underwent a fluoroscopy-guided L2-3 interlaminar epidural steroid injection. 4 h later, he developed acute paraparesis, sensory loss below T10 level and urinary retention. MRI of the thoracic spine revealed diffuse abnormal T2/FLAIR signal and extensive vascular flow voids. A spinal dural arteriovenous fistula was confirmed on spinal angiography. ⋯ We review previously reported cases and current understanding of the pathophysiology of this complication. All cases had symptom onset several hours after the procedure. There seems to be a trend toward better outcomes with earlier treatment.
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Misuse, abuse and diversion of prescription opioid analgesics represent a global public health concern. The development of abuse-deterrent formulations (ADFs) of prescription opioid analgesics is an important step toward reducing abuse and diversion of these medications, as well as potentially limiting medical consequences when misused or administered in error. ⋯ The science of abuse deterrence and the regulatory landscape are still relatively new and evolving. This paper reviews the current status of opioid ADFs, with particular focus on different approaches that can be used to deter abuse, regulatory considerations and implications for clinical management.