Pain medicine : the official journal of the American Academy of Pain Medicine
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Facial pain: a possible therapy with stellate ganglion block.
The goal of the present study is to verify the efficacy of stellate ganglion block (SGB) in the treatment of facial pain that can be found in different pathological syndromes, and also to examine whether the efficacy is dependent upon when this therapy is administered. ⋯ Our results indicate that patients must be treated with SGB therapy precociously to receive its full benefits.
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Clinical Trial
Experience of methadone therapy in 100 consecutive chronic pain patients in a multidisciplinary pain center.
The objective of the study was to describe the experience of methadone use in 100 consecutive chronic pain patients managed in a single multidisciplinary center. ⋯ From our experience, methadone is an effective alternative to conventional opioids for chronic pain management when used by experienced clinicians in a setting that allows for close monitoring and careful dose initiation and adjustment.
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Regional anesthesia simulation manikins with phantom skeletal structures are commercially available. Unfortunately, they are quite expensive. This article introduces our handmade, low cost, phantom for training of nerve block with fluoroscopic guidance. ⋯ Although it might lack radiographic fidelity, our inexpensive phantom can be used for basic training of nerve block with fluoroscopic guidance.
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To report a case in which pain preceded computer axial tomography (CT) and scintigraphic findings in an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. ⋯ The patient's pain preceded CT and scintigraphic evidence of the osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. It is possible that pain is an early sign of impending osteoporotic compression fracture, or microtrabecular fracture, prior to anatomic and physiologic changes. Magnetic resonance imaging may be the imaging study of choice rather than bone scintigraphy in identification of noncollapsed osteoporotic compression fracture. Earlier identification and treatment of vertebral compression fractures may reduce kyphosis and associated sequelae.
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Pain represents one of the most important predictors of quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Prior studies were conducted in hospital settings and/or failed to control important factors such as depression, obesity, or physical activity. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine factors associated with pain intensity in a large sample of OA patients in primary care. ⋯ A variety of physical and psychological factors were associated with pain intensity. Appropriate pain treatment of OA patients in primary care should consider as many of these factors as possible. Further research is needed to assess if a more comprehensive and proactive approach will result in less pain and in increased quality of life.