Pain physician
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The Effects of Radiofrequency Neurotomy Using a Strip-Lesioning Device on Patients with Sacroiliac Joint Pain: Results from a Single-Center, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial.
Radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) is a therapy aimed at providing lasting back pain relief for sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain. A recent advancement in RFN is a strip lesioning technique that involves placement of a single curved electrode and a 3-pole design that facilitates the creation of 5 overlapping lesions. These lesions form one long strip lesion accessible through a single entry point, without the need for multiple punctures. Although the early case series data looks promising, there is lack of long-term, randomized, controlled study evaluating the strip-lesioning system for SIJ pain. ⋯ Radiofrequency, sacroiliac joint pain, low back pain, neurotomy, randomized controlled trial, simplicity.
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Review
Clinical Benefits of Direct-to-Definitive Testing for Monitoring Compliance in Pain Management.
The technical advantages of direct-to-definitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) urine testing for monitoring patient compliance in pain management are well known. However, the design and implementation of LC-MS/MS methods are more controversial, including factors such as determining appropriate cutoffs, specimen processing (e.g., specimen hydrolysis), reporting of qualitative and/or quantitative results, and test menu. ⋯ Direct-to-definitive, LC-MS/MS, immunoassay, sensitivity, cost, pain management, turnaround time, patient compliance.
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Chronic pain has been considered as a biopsychosocial condition in which cognitive and emotional factors as well as biological factors significantly affect perception of pain. Race, ethnicity and culture have a crucial impact on illness beliefs, health care preferences, help-seeking behaviors, and acceptance of medical interventions. ⋯ Chronic pain, musculoskeletal pain, pain beliefs, pain cognitions, pain behaviors, race, ethnicity, culture.
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The management of chronic pain is complex and often involves the integration of multiple clinical, humanistic, and economic factors. Primary care physicians (PCPs) are often at the forefront of managing chronic pain and often initiate pharmacological pain management therapy. To date little is known surrounding the pain management practices of PCPs. ⋯ Chronic pain, primary care physician, pain management, survey questionnaire.
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Meta Analysis
A Network Meta-Analysis to Compare the Efficacy of Steroid and Antiviral Medications for Facial Paralysis from Bell´s Palsy.
Facial paralysis is the most common cranial nerve injury. Bell's palsy is the name commonly used to describe an acute peripheral facial paralysis of unknown origin. The annual incidence of Bell's palsy is 20-30 cases per 100,000 persons, regardless of age and gender. ⋯ Facial paralysis, Bell´s palsy, steroids, antiviral drugs, efficacy, overall recovery, network meta-analysis, SUCRA.