Pain physician
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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.
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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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Meta Analysis
Do Regenerative Medicine Therapies Provide Long-Term Relief in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis.
Several cell-based therapies have been proposed in recent years the management of low back pain, including the injection of medicinal signaling cells or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). However, there is only emerging clinical evidence to support their use at this time. ⋯ Chronic low back pain, regenerative therapy, medicinal signaling or mesenchymal stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, disc injection, lumbar facet joint injections, sacroiliac joint injections.
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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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Randomized Controlled Trial
Percutaneous Epidural Adhesiolysis Using Inflatable Balloon Catheter and Balloon-less Catheter in Central Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Neurogenic Claudication: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
When conventional interventional procedures fail, percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis (PEA), which has moderate evidence for successful treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), has been recommended over surgical treatments. In a previous study, we demonstrated the efficacy of a newly developed inflatable balloon catheter for overcoming the access limitations of pre-existing catheters for patients with severe stenosis or adhesions. ⋯ Balloon decompression, central, chronic pain, epidural adhesiolysis, lumbar, percutaneous, radiculopathy, spinal stenosis.