Pain physician
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The safety of neuraxial anesthetic techniques in the setting of oral and parenteral anticoagulation is an area of growing interest and clinical inquiry as the multitude of anticoagulant medications rapidly increases. Additionally, the indications for spinal cord stimulation therapy are evolving as both technique and technology in the field continue to advance. The estimated incidence of spinal hematoma following epidural injection has been estimated to be 1 in 150,000-200,000. ⋯ We would like to report a recent case for consideration in which a spinal cord stimulator trial was successful and led to permanent spinal cord stimulator implantation in a patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy taking life-long aspirin and clopidogrel therapy secondary to extensive coronary and carotid atherosclerosis. The report serves as a novel case to encourage exploration into the topic of anticoagulation therapy with indwelling spinal cord stimulator leads. The case brings up a number of critical questions that cannot clearly be answered with the current literature and some interesting topics for discussion including the need for acute systemic anticoagulation in the future for vascular interventions and risk stratification for those patients selected for spinal cord stimulation.
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Lumbar sympathetic block (LSB) is an effective method for relief of sympathetically mediated pain in the lower extremities. To prolong the sympathetic blockade, sympathetic destruction with alcohol or radiofrequency has been used. The pre-ganglionic sympathetic nerves are cholinergic, and botulinum toxin (BTX) has been found to inhibit the release of acetylcholine at the cholinergic nerve terminals. ⋯ Two months after LSB with BTX-B, pain intensity and the Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS) score were significantly reduced. Allodynia and coldness disappeared and skin color came back to normal. In conclusion, BTX-B can produce an efficacious and durable sympathetic blocking effect on patients with CRPS.
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Genicular nerve block has recently emerged as a novel alternative treatment in chronic knee pain. The needle placement for genicular nerve injection is made under fluoroscopic guidance with reference to bony landmarks. ⋯ The result of this cadaveric study suggests that ultrasound-guided medial genicular nerve branch block can be performed accurately using the above-stated anatomic landmarks.
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Perioperative use of opioids is associated with the risk of opioid-induced respiratory depression. Naloxone is a competitive opioid antagonist typically administered to reverse opioid-induced respiratory depression. Postoperative administration of naloxone may be considered a proxy for significant postoperative opioid-induced respiratory depression and data regarding its use may be utilized as a quality measure. Few large studies have been done to characterize the population and define an incidence of naloxone recipients in the postoperative inpatient setting. ⋯ The overall incidence of postoperative naloxone administration over a 13 year period in approximately 450,000 patients was 0.1%. Demographics of this group were older, ASA 3 women, qualifying as overweight, but not obese, undergoing elective surgery with a general anesthetic technique. Average time to administration was 21 hours postoperatively.
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Case Reports
Treatment of Abdominal Segmental Hernia, Constipation, and Pain Following Herpes Zoster with Paravertebral Block.
Herpes zoster (HZ) most commonly occurs in elderly patients and involves sensory neurons resulting in pain and sensory changes. Clinically significant motor deficits and visceral neuropathies are thought to be relatively rare. A 72-year-old man presented with abdominal segmental hernia, constipation, and pain following HZ in the left T9-10 dermatome. ⋯ One day after the procedure, the abdominal pain disappeared. In addition, 5 days after the intervention, the abdominal protrusion and constipation were resolved. He currently remains symptom free at a 6 month follow-up.