Pain physician
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Persistent postsurgical pain (PPSP) affects between 10% and 50% of surgical patients, the development of which is a complex and poorly understood process. To date, most studies on PPSP have focused on specific surgical procedures where individuals do not suffer from chronic pain before the surgical intervention. Individuals who have a chronic nerve injury are likely to have established peripheral and central sensitization which may increase the risk of developing PPSP. Concurrent analyses of the possible factors contributing to the development of PPSP following lumbar discectomy have not been examined. ⋯ We demonstrated that the occurrence of PPSP can be predicted using a small set of variables easily obtained at the preoperative visit. This a prediction rule that could further optimize perioperative pain treatment and reduce attendant complications by allowing the preoperative classification of surgical patients according to their risk of developing PPSP.
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Sensory and motor system dysfunctions have been documented in a proportion of patients with acute whiplash associated disorders (WAD). Sensorimotor incongruence may occur and hence, may explain pain and other sensations in the acute stage after the trauma. ⋯ Patients with acute WAD present an exacerbation of symptoms and additional sensations in response to visually mediated changes during action. These results indicate an altered perception of distorted visual feedback and suggest altered central sensorimotor nervous system processing in patients with acute WAD.
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Case Reports
Utility of intercostal nerve conventional thermal radiofrequency ablations in the injured worker after blunt trauma.
Intercostal nerve blocks offer short-term therapeutic relief and serve as a diagnostic test for intercostal neuralgia. This original case report demonstrates the efficacy of radiofrequency ablations for long-term pain relief of intercostal neuralgia. To date, there have been no studies that demonstrate the efficacy of thermal conventional intercostal nerve radiofrequency ablations for intercostal neuralgia. ⋯ Following conventional thermal radiofrequency ablations of the intercostal nerves, 5 of the 6 patients experienced either long-term pain relief or required no additional care. The treatment has potential efficacy for injuries, including rib fractures or intercostal neuralgia, stemming from blunt trauma to the chest wall. In addition, there may be a potential for this treatment to help patients suffering from postthoracotomy pain.
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Owing to the anatomical difference between the far lateral herniation of the lumbar disc (FHLD) and the intraspinal herniation of lumbar disc (iHLD), the outcome of transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESI) in patients with FHLD seems to be different from that in patients with iHLD. However, few studies have evaluated the efficacy of TFESI in FHLD. ⋯ The current study suggests that an alternative needle placement technique for TFESI appears to be necessary for FHLD patients.
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Case Reports
Radiofrequency ablation of the supra-orbital nerve in the treatment algorithm of hemicrania continua.
Hemicrania continua (HC) is an uncommon primary headache disorder in which the diagnosis centers on unilaterality and its absolute responsiveness to indomethacin. We describe 3 patients with a long standing history of headache diagnosed as hemicrania continua. There was profound response to indomethacin which was limited by side effects. ⋯ After the RFA medical management was minimal to none in both patients. Though the utility and cost efficacy of RFA of peripheral nerves needs to be confirmed in well-designed trials we present these cases as an example of how this minimally invasive technique can safely provide analgesia in a difficult to treat cephalgia. Moreover if precise anatomical localization of the headache is possible then diagnostic blockade of the appropriate peripheral nerve may be performed followed by radiofrequency ablation to provide potentially more sustained analgesia in patients where medical management is ineffective or poorly tolerated.