Pain physician
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Insomnia is highly prevalent among people with chronic pain conditions. Because insomnia has been shown to worsen pain, mood, and physical functioning, it could negatively impact the clinical outcomes of patients with chronic pain. ⋯ This study is a retrospective analysis. IRB No: 4-2014-0801.
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Chronic pain may be associated with diabetes mellitus and/or depression. Use of therapies that target both comorbidities is encouraged. ⋯ Co-administration of pioglitazone or metformin with low-dose fluoxetine improved mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, and neurohistopathological changes while co-administration of pioglitazone, but not metformin, improved the depressive-like behavior in the peripheral nerve injury model of neuropathic pain in rats. Extrapolation of the current results to clinical reality could be beneficial for pain patients with diabetes and/or depression, however this needs further confirmatory studies.
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Review Meta Analysis
Invasive Management for Pediatric Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Literature Review of Evidence.
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a multifactorial condition with complex pathogenesis characterized by spontaneous or stimulus-induced pain that is disproportionate to the inciting event. It is also commonly accompanied by a myriad of autonomic and motor disturbances in highly variable combinations. This condition has been underreported in children until recently. Consequently, the management of CRPS in the pediatric population presents an even greater challenge than in adults, partly because there is a lack of clinical data concerning the efficacy of the diverse treatment methods available, and partly because successful treatment of CRPS involves a multidisciplinary approach. There is a variety of invasive methods to the treatment of CRPS, but scarce pediatric-focused trials have been published to date. ⋯ Invasive techniques have been used to treat CRPS over the last few decades; however, the evidence for their use is still very weak. Invasive management should be contemplated only when high-standard conservative management has failed to work.
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Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) has been proven as an effective, minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of Kummell's disease in the early stages. However, a risk of cement leakage and further neurological damage remains during and after PKP, especially in chronic osteoporotic stage III Kummell's disease with severe spinal canal stenosis. ⋯ PKP is an effective, minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of chronic osteoporotic stage III Kummell's disease with severe spinal stenosis, leading to a significant relief of symptoms and improvement of functional status. INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board.
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Radiation therapy (RT) is the current gold standard for palliation of painful vertebral metastases. However, other percutaneous modalities such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryoablation, and vertebral augmentation have also been shown to be effective in alleviating symptoms. Combined RT and ablation may be more effective than either therapy alone in palliating painful metastatic disease to the spine. ⋯ Percutaneous ablation and concurrent RT is safe and effective in palliating painful spinal metastases and can be effective in those who have radiation resistant tumor histology.