Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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We analyzed application and match rates for pain medicine training in the United States and hypothesized that there would be (1) greater growth in the number of training positions than applicants, (2) higher match rates among US allopathic graduates relative to non-US allopathic graduates, and (3) greater number of unfilled training positions over time. ⋯ Stagnant annual applicant volume and increasing number of available training positions have led to increasing match rates for pain medicine fellowship training. Fewer US allopathic graduates are pursuing pain medicine training. The increasing percentage of unfilled training positions warrants ongoing surveillance.
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The aims of this study were to (1) evaluate the time between onset of occipital neuralgia symptoms and nerve decompression surgery, (2) perform a cost comparison analysis between surgical and nonsurgical treatment of occipital neuralgia, and (3) report postoperative results of nerve decompression for occipital neuralgia. ⋯ This study demonstrates that patients suffer from occipital neuralgia for an average of 19 years before undergoing surgery. Nerve decompression reduces symptom severity significantly and should be considered earlier in the treatment course of occipital neuralgia that is refractory to conservative treatment to prevent patient morbidity and decrease direct and indirect health care costs.
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Although the presence of neuropathic pain (NP) components has been reported in whiplash-associated disorders (WAD), no studies have analyzed the usefulness of NP screening questionnaires to detect NP components in WAD. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of 3 NP screening tools (Douleur Neuropathique 4 [DN4], self-administered Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs [S-LANSS], and painDETECT questionnaire [PDQ]) to detect the presence of NP components in acute WAD. ⋯ The DN4, S-LANSS, and PDQ show excellent discriminant validity to detect the presence of NP components in acute WAD, especially S-LANSS. Initial screening with these tools might improve management of WAD.