Current pain and headache reports
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2002
ReviewMyofascial pain syndrome and its suggested role in the pathogenesis and treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome.
Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic muscle pain disorder in one or more muscles or groups of muscles accompanied by local and referred pain, decreased range of motion, weakness, and often autonomic phenomena. Patients are readily recognized by their history of muscle pain and the presence of myofascial trigger points, which are specific areas of hyperirritability in a muscle that cause local and referred pain on palpation. Failure to recognize MPS often leads to over-investigation, unnecessary medical intervention, and iatrogenic harm with serious cost implications. The purpose of this review is to present clinically relevant data regarding myofascial pain syndrome and to discuss its possible role in the pathophysiology and optimal treatment of fibromyalgia syndrome.
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Chronic widespread pain is a primary feature of fibromyalgia and is a symptom that is poorly managed in many patients. In addition, patients often experience fatigue, sleep disturbances, and anxiety. Its etiology is largely unknown. ⋯ Clinical evidence on the symptoms and characteristics of fibromyalgia suggests a central mechanism behind the pathogenesis of this syndrome. It is likely that drugs with central actions will prove to be effective against a number of symptoms. This article aims to outline some of the potential spinal pharmacologic targets that may be used to treat this condition.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2002
ReviewInflammatory mechanisms in cervicogenic headache: an integrative view.
Cervicogenic headache is a relatively common and still controversial form of headache that originates from the neck structures. The pathophysiology probably results from various local pain-producing factors, such as intervertebral dysfunction, but the frequent coexistence of a history of head traumas still plays an important role. This report represents a series of pathophysiologic studies performed for patients with cervicogenic headache and the results achieved by a new pharmacologic treatment for the disease.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2002
ReviewHeadache and Chiari I malformation: clinical presentation, diagnosis, and controversies in management.
The Chiari I malformation is a cerebellar anomaly of uncertain origin, defined in part as tonsillar herniation of at least 3 to 5 mm below the foramen magnum; it is associated with crowding of the craniocervical junction. It is the most frequent of the Chiari malformations and is associated with headaches, syringohydromyelia, and hydrocephalus. The clinical manifestations are related to direct compression of neural tissues and abnormal cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. ⋯ Incidental magnetic resonance imaging discovers Chiari I in one third of patients who do not have clinical symptoms. Headaches in the occipital-suboccipital region or those that are of cough-type suggest symptomatic Chiari I malformation. Suboccipital craniectomy is performed for patients with Chiari I malformation who have neural compression syndromes of the brainstem and spinal cord, select headache types, and other uncommon conditions that are not the topic of this review.
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Myofascial pain is a common cause of regional chronic pain. Myofascial trigger points can refer pain to the head and face in the cervical region, thus contributing to cervicogenic headache. When identified properly, cervical myofascial pain is a treatable component of headache management. This article reviews current literature on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of cervical myofascial pain.