Current pain and headache reports
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jan 2020
ReviewEvaluation of Cost-Utility of Thoracic Interlaminar Epidural Injections.
Chronic thoracic pain, even though not as prevalent as low back and neck pain, appears in approximately 30% of the general population. The severity of thoracic pain and degree of disability seems to be similar to other painful conditions. Despite this severity, interventions in managing chronic thoracic pain are less frequent, and there is a paucity of literature regarding epidural injections and facet joint interventions. ⋯ As with lumbar and cervical spine, a multitude of interventions are offered in managing chronic thoracic pain, including interventional techniques with epidural injections and facet joint interventions. A single randomized controlled trial (RCT) has been published with a 2-year follow-up of clinical effectiveness of the results. However, there have not been any cost-utility analysis studies pertaining to either epidural injections or facet joint interventions in thoracic pain. Based on the results of the RCT, a cost-utility analysis of thoracic interlaminar epidural injections was undertaken. Evaluation of the cost-utility analysis of thoracic interlaminar epidural injections with or without steroids in managing thoracic disc herniation, thoracic spinal stenosis, and thoracic discogenic or axial pain was assessed in 110 patients with a 2-year follow-up. Direct payment data from 2018 was utilized for procedural costs and indirect costs. Costs, including drug costs, were determined by multiplication of direct procedural payment data by a factor of 1.67 or addition of 40% of cost to accommodate for indirect payments and arrive at overall costs. Cost-utility analysis showed direct procedural cost of USD $1943.19, whereas total estimated costs year per QALY were USD $3245.12.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jan 2020
ReviewThe Role of Exparel Plus Meloxicam for Postoperative Pain Management.
Acute postoperative pain reduction is a major target against the opioid crisis. While opioids have traditionally been the mainstay for postoperative analgesia, current practice has focused on a multimodal approach to pain control, including ultrasound-guided blocks with longer acting local anesthetic agents. ⋯ Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as meloxicam, are an important class of medications utilized to manage pain in the perioperative period. An additional treatment used in perioperative or postoperative pain relief is Exparel, a bupivacaine (sodium channel blocker) liposomal injectable suspension with a 3-4-day duration of action. The long-acting mechanism and formulation of Exparel consistently has demonstrated decreased opioid use and pain scores in patients undergoing many different surgical procedures. A concern is that pH negatively alters the efficacy of bupivacaine, as in cases of inflamed tissue and acidic fluid pH. For this reason, a combination medication with both meloxicam and bupivacaine has been developed, which normalizes pH and has anti-inflammatory and anti-pain conduction properties. Clinical studies demonstrate that this combination agent can be extremely beneficial in treating postoperative pain. This manuscript summarizes the newest developments with regard to liposomal bupivacaine and the non-steroidal meloxicam, their roles in effective treatment of postoperative pain, contraindications, special considerations of using these medications, and future considerations. HTX-011 pairs up a new extended-release formulation of the local anesthetic bupivacaine with meloxicam, a well-established non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
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The purpose of this review is to evaluate and explain our current understanding of rhinogenic headache in the pediatric population. ⋯ One study showed that 40 % of pediatric patients with migraine had previously received an incorrect diagnosis of sinus headache. Two studies found that over 50% of pediatric patients with migraines have associated cranial autonomic symptoms, possibly elucidating the reasons for misdiagnosis. Some case reports demonstrate successful treatment of rhinogenic contact point headache with the surgical resection of mucosal contact points, although this diagnosis continues to be debated. Many pediatric patients diagnosed with a sinus-related headache actually meet criteria for primary headache disorders. Primary headache disorders should be considered in pediatric patients with headache and associated rhinologic symptoms. Some literature suggests that mucosal contact point headaches can be surgically treated in children, but the level of evidence is inadequate, and additional robust trials are needed.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jan 2020
ReviewDysphasia and Other Higher Cortical Dysfunctions During the Migraine Aura-a Systematic Review of Literature.
Although visual and somatosensory disturbances are the most common migraine aura (MA) symptoms, patients can also experience other symptoms during their MA. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of studies that report symptoms of dysphasia and other higher cortical dysfunctions (HCDs) during MA, as well as to determine the frequency of HCDs. ⋯ Five studies met the inclusion criteria, corresponding to 697 patients overall. The most frequently reported HCDs were those of the language group (range 10-53%). The occurrence of visual HCDs was noted in 12-40 patients, somatosensory HCDs in 12-20%, and memory disturbances in 10-22% of the patients during MAs. MA is associated with a wide range of neurological symptoms, including symptoms of HCD. A better strategy for investigation of the HCD symptoms is needed to correctly stratify patients thus allowing meaningful studies of aura pathophysiology.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jan 2020
ReviewThe Role of Cannabidiol (CBD) in Chronic Pain Management: An Assessment of Current Evidence.
Given the growing challenges in chronic pain management coupled with the ongoing consequences of the opioid epidemic, pain management practitioners are looking into more effective, innovative, and safer alternatives to treat pain. Cannabis-based medicine had been described for hundreds of years but only recently have we seen the more scientific, evidence-based approach to its use, and ongoing investigations continue to explore its potential medical benefits. While historically more attention has been paid to the psychoactive component of the cannabis plant Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), there have been fewer scientific studies on the medical use of the cannabidiol (CBD) - a non-psychoactive component of the cannabis plant. ⋯ By examining recent literature, we investigated the use of CBD and its potential role in pain management. Since there are currently no approved pharmaceutical products that contain CBD alone for the management of pain, this review focused on nabiximols (which is a combined product of THC/CBD in a 1:1 ratio) as the only pharmaceutical product available that contains CBD and is being used for the management of pain. It is difficult to definitely attribute the therapeutic properties to CBD alone since it is always administered with THC. Based on the available literature, it is difficult to make a recommendation for the use of CBD in chronic pain management. It is also important to note that there are many CBD products currently available as supplements, but these products are non-pharmaceuticals and lack the appropriate clinical studies to support their efficacy claims.