Pain physician
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Twelfth rib syndrome, or slipping of the 12th rib, is an often overlooked cause for chronic chest, back, flank, and abdominal pain from irritation of the 12th intercostal nerve. Diagnosis is clinical and follows the exclusion of other causes of pain. This syndrome is usually accompanied by long-suffering, consequent psychiatric comorbidities, and increased health care costs, which are secondary to the delayed diagnosis. ⋯ Twelfth rib syndrome is usually diagnosed late and causes significant morbidity and suffering. The actual epidemiology is unclear given the difficulty of diagnosis. Nerve blocks and surgical rib resection appear to be effective in treating this syndrome, however, further evidence is required to properly evaluate them. Familiarity with this syndrome is crucial in reaching a prompter diagnosis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Morphine Versus Loperamide with Intrasite Gel in the Treatment of Painful Dermal Ulcers: A Randomized, Crossover Study.
Topical morphine along with intrasite gel has been proven to be a simple and effective method to relieve pain. However, morphine is still not freely available in developing countries due to drug restrictions and stringent laws governing it. Loperamide has been reported to relieve pain caused by stomatitis effectively when given topically. Loperamide, being an mu receptor agonist with no systemic absorption, can serve a dual purpose here. Also loperamide being freely available as an over-the-counter drug can be a surrogate drug for topical application. ⋯ Topical loperamide can be an efficacious and novel intervention to treat painful ulcers while avoiding systemic effects.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The Effect of ShotBlocker on Pain and Patient Satisfaction for Spinal Anesthesia: A Randomized Trial.
During spinal anesthesia, patients may experience pain and discomfort associated with dermal puncture. It may also cause involuntary movement, which often disturbs the patient's posture thus affecting the success of spinal anesthesia. Different methods have been studied to cope with needle-related pain. "ShotBlocker" is a flexible, plastic, U-shaped device, which has several blunt points. It is suggested that blunt points provide a nonnoxious physical stimulation and inhibit the transmission of injection pain. ⋯ ShotBlocker did not show any advantage on VAS scores but decreased the incidence of unintentional movement during dermal puncture.
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Long-term opioid therapy was prescribed with increasing frequency over the past decade. However, factors surrounding long-term use of opioids in older adults remains poorly understood, probably because older people are not at the center stage of the national opioid crisis. ⋯ Using a national sample of elderly Medicare beneficiaries, we observed that from 2013 to 2016 the use of new prescription opioids increased from 2013 to 2014 and peaked in 2015. The use of new long-term prescription opioids peaked in 2014 and started to decrease from 2015 and 2016. Future research needs to evaluate the impact of the changes in new and long-term prescription opioid use on population health outcomes.
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Observational Study
Evaluation of Contralateral Oblique and Lateral Views for Mid-Thoracic Epidural Access: A Prospective Observational Study.
The mid-thoracic region has been known to be the most difficult area when accessing epidural space despite using fluoroscopy. Contralateral oblique (CLO) view has been considered for use; however, it has not been evaluated in the mid-thoracic region. ⋯ A CLO view at 60 degrees and CLO measured angle view can provide clearer visualization and more consistent needle tip location than the lateral and other CLO angle views for mid-TEA. A CLO view at 60 degrees and CLO measured angle views could be used to identify the needle location and achieve success in mid-TEA.