Pain physician
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Epidural corticosteroid injection is a commonly used approach for managing back pain of several etiologies. The risk of clinical complications from systemic absorption is felt to be rare. Ritonavir is a protease inhibitor whose potent cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition is exploited for pharmacologic boosting in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. ⋯ The preponderance of reported cases of iatrogenic hypercortisolism following injectable corticosteroids has involved triamcinolone acetonide, which may be due to the relatively rapid absorption characteristics and high serum levels of this compound compared with other preparations. For individuals on ritonavir-containing HIV therapy, we recommend close coordination with the involved HIV clinicians prior to use of injectable corticosteroids, and avoidance of injections with triamcinolone acetonide whenever possible. Choosing an alternative corticosteroid preparation to triamcinolone acetonide may reduce the risk of systemic absorption, though more research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
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Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) has been touted as a radiologic adjunct to interventional neuraxial procedures where it is imperative to identify vascular compromise during the injection. Transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI) are commonly performed interventions for treating acute and chronic radicular spine pain. We present a case of instantaneous and irreversible paraplegia following lumbar TFESI wherein a local anesthetic test dose, as well as DSA, were used as adjuncts to fluoroscopy. ⋯ We believe that this report should open further discussion regarding adding the possibility of these catastrophic events in the informed consent process for lumbar TFESIs, as it has for cervical TFESI. Utilizing blunt needles or larger bevel needles in place of sharp, cutting needles may minimize the chances of this event occurring. Considering eliminating use of particulate steroids for TFESI should be evaluated, although the use of nonparticulate agents remains controversial due to the perception that their respective duration of action is less than that of particulate steroids.
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Neuropathic pain is a relatively common outcome of Lyme disease. Pain management options for these patients have been limited to pharmaceutical treatments. ⋯ Spinal cord stimulation may be an effective option for relieving chronic pain originating from Lyme disease.
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Case Reports
Use of eptifibatide as a bridge antiplatelet agent for intrathecal drug delivery system placement.
Use of antiplatelet agents is becoming increasingly common, and their management may require new strategies if neuroaxial techniques are to be employed in patients who will not tolerate discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy. The patient was a 46-year-old man with a past medical history significant for coronary artery disease and who had undergone 14 stents. He developed stent thrombosis (ST) while on clopidogrel. ⋯ Patients requiring antiplatelet therapy in need of neuroaxial pain management procedures present challenging problems to pain management physicians. Current guidelines from the American Society of Regional Anesthesia have not identified any bridging agent suitable for patients who may not tolerate prolonged withdrawal from their antiplatelet therapy. In this case, eptifibatide was successfully utilized to bridge a patient whose comorbid conditions necessitated continuous antiplatelet therapy without the prolonged washout common to irreversible antiplatelet agents.
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To accurately assess the effect of any therapy for treating discogenic low back pain, the natural history of such pain should be known beforehand. However, until now, no pathological characteristic could be used to predict the disease course of low back pain. ⋯ The present study indicated that the natural history of discogenic low back pain was chronic but persistent, and that the pain and disability in most patients did not improve over time.