Pain physician
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Chronic pain often results in cognitive impairment. Our previous study showed that trigeminal neuralgia induced by cobra venom leads to spatial learning and memory deficits, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. However, recent evidence indicates that the c-AMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB)/brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) pathway plays a critical role in various etiologies of cognitive deficits. ⋯ The findings suggest that cognitive impairment caused by cobra venom-induced trigeminal neuralgia is associated with downregulation of the CREB/BDNF pathway in the hippocampus and PFC.Key words: Cognitive impairment, the CREB/BDNF pathway, cobra venom, trigeminal neuralgia, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, free behavior, Morris water maze.
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Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) technique is becoming the standard tissue sparing approach for decompression of lumbar central and lateral recess stenosis, intervertebral disc herniation, or any situation that would have required extensive open decompression laminectomy. Full-endoscopic or arthroscopic assisted surgery is arguably the "ultra-MIS" approach to lumbar spinal pathology. Age and body mass index (BMI) are significant risk factors to be considered in full-endoscopic assisted ultra-MIS. With limited medical literature published on complication rates for MIS, reports on the ultra-MIS approach are even scarcer for free-standing, outpatient ambulatory settings. ⋯ Full-endoscopic assisted ultra-MIS technique is a viable option for lumbar decompressive surgery in a free-standing, outpatient ambulatory facility. The patient population in this study demonstrates its safety, efficacy, and effectiveness for treatment of various lumbar pathologies. It is particularly relevant that age and obesity are not contra-indications.Key words: Full-endoscopic, minimally invasive spine surgery, postoperative complications, lumbar discectomy, lumbar decompression, lumbar disc herniation, spinal stenosis, endoscopic discectomy, ultra-MIS, arthroscopic.
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Although percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) could achieve rapid pain relief for the elderly with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF), some patients still had risks of suffering vertebrae delayed union which led to persisting pain and vertebral collapse. Preventing the delayed vertebral union could reduce the further morbidities and medical costs for patients with OVCF after PKP. ⋯ Preoperative BMD, intravertebral cleft, and restoration rate of vertebral height could be factors independently associated with delayed union of vertebrae after PKP in patients with OVCF.Key words: Percutaneous kyphoplasty, delayed union, osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.
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The association of paroxysmal hemicrania with trigeminal neuralgia (TN) has been described and called paroxysmal hemicrania-tic syndrome (PH-tic). We report the case of a patient diagnosed as having chronic PH-tic (CPH-tic) syndrome as a clinically isolated syndrome of the central nervous system (CNS) (CIS). A forty year old woman was admitted to our hospital suffering from right facial pain for the last 2 years. ⋯ When dealing with symptomatic cases, like the one described here, when causal therapy is not possible due to the nature of the primary pathological process, a therapeutic approach, although symptomatic, can be fully effective in controlling this painful syndrome. The case report could be a contribution to the pathophysiological and clinical understanding of the association of CPH and TN. Key words: Paroxysmal hemicrania, trigeminal neuralgia, clinically isolated syndrome.
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Nonmedical use of opioid medications constitutes a serious health threat as the rates of addiction, overdoses, and deaths have risen in recent years. Increasingly, inappropriate and excessively liberal prescribing of opioids by physicians is understood to be a central part of the crisis. Public health officials, hospital systems, and legislators are developing programs and regulations to address the problem in sustained and systematic ways that both insures effective treatment of pain and appropriate limits on the availability of opioids. ⋯ Academic detailing has successfully affected the management of health conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and recently, has targeted physicians who prescribe opioids. This article discusses the approach as a potentially effective preventative intervention to address the epidemic of opioid overuse. Key words: Opioid abuse, opioid misuse, academic detailing, health policy, interactive education,prevention.