Pain physician
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Neuropathic pain following brachial plexus avulsion injury (BPAI) induces plastic changes in multiple brain regions associated with somatosensory function, pain, or cognition at the group level. The alternation of the whole pattern of resting-state brain activity and the feasibility of a brain imaging, information-based diagnosis of pain following BPAI is poorly investigated. ⋯ Our study indicated that MVPA based on the PET scans of rats' brains could successfully identify neuropathic pain from health condition at the individual level and predictive regions could potentially be provided as neuroimaging biomarkers for the neuropathic pain following BPAI.
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Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an accepted treatment for certain chronic pain syndromes. It is imperative that patients undergo a stimulation screening trial. For trial stimulation, typically patients undergo a percutaneous lead placement. Due to technical considerations, there exists a subset of patients who are not candidates for a percutaneous trial. ⋯ Patients, who have either failed or are deemed suboptimal for percutaneous trialing for spinal cord stimulation, should be considered for open paddle lead trialing. A multidisciplinary approach improves communication and helps to identify that subset of patients who otherwise may be left to pursue conservative measures only.