Current pain and headache reports
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Sep 2020
ReviewPost Traumatic Headache: Clinical care of athletes vs non athletes with Persistent Post Traumatic Headache after Concussion: Sports Neurologist and Headache Specialist Perspective.
The purpose of this paper is to review and outline the similarities and differences in the treatment of athletes compared with that of other populations with a persistent post-traumatic headache after a concussion. ⋯ After an extensive review of the literature and despite well over 2 million Americans experiencing post-traumatic headache (PTH) each year, a number of which will continue to experience persistent post-traumatic headache (PPTH). There is little evidence on the management of the disorder and essentially no evidence-based research when it comes to the management of athletes. With little evidence available for the treatment of individuals with PPTH, be it athletes or non-athletes, the clinician will need to rely on their experience and the application of existing treatments for migraine and chronic migraine. Clearly, more research is needed, especially with respect to the management of athletes versus non-athletes.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2020
ReviewComplications of Fluoroscopically Guided Cervical Interlaminar Epidural Steroid Injections.
Cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection is a common intervention in the management of cervical radiculitis. Given the large number of injections done annually, it is important to assess the potential complications associated with this procedure. ⋯ Based on current published studies, the overall complication rate varies. The vast majority are minor complications. However, this review also identified potentially catastrophic complications following cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injections. Based upon our review, cervical epidural steroid injection is considered a safe intervention. Nevertheless, catastrophic complications such as spinal cord injuries from needle placement, infections, and epidural hematoma can occur. It is prudent to take appropriate measures to minimize these complications.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2020
ReviewLow-Dose Naltrexone for Chronic Pain: Update and Systemic Review.
The purpose of this review is to evaluate and explain our current understanding of the clinical use of low-dose naltrexone in the treatment of chronic pain. ⋯ Recent pre-clinical uses and clinical studies further elucidate the use of low-dose naltrexone in the treatment of chronic pain. Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has shown promise to reduce symptoms related to chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel conditions, and multiple sclerosis. The mechanism of LDN appears to be modulation of neuro-inflammation, specifically, the modulation of the glial cells and release of inflammatory chemicals in the central nervous system. These effects appear to unique at low dosage compared to dosage for food and drug administration approved use for alcohol and opioid dependence. We review the evidence that LDN has shown more than promise and should be further investigated in clinical practice.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2020
ReviewEpidemiology of Headache in Children and Adolescents-Another Type of Pandemia.
Headaches are not only responsible for restrictions in everyday life in adults. In children and adolescents, regular headaches lead also to reduced life quality and limitations in the social sphere, in school education, and in professional careers. Here, we provide an overview on the frequency of headache in children and adolescents with the aim of increasing awareness about this particular health issue. ⋯ Overall, headache prevalence in children and adolescents has been increasing in recent years. From various regions worldwide, data describing headache, its forms, and consequences are growing. In addition, factors frequently correlated with headache are repeatedly investigated and named: besides genetic factors, psychosocial and behavioral factors are linked to the prevalence of headache. Increasing evidence indicates that headache is underestimated as a common disorder in children and adolescents. Accordingly, too little emphasis is placed by society on its prevention and treatment. Thus, the extent of the social and health economic burden of frequent headaches in children and adolescents needs to be better illustrated, worldwide. Furthermore, the data collected in this review should support the efforts to improve outpatient therapy paths for young headache patients. Factors correlating with headache in pupils can draw our attention to unmet needs of these patients and allow physicians to derive important therapy contents from this data.
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The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the cluneal nerves, present a summary of pain syndromes secondary to clunealgia, and evaluate current literature for diagnostic and treatment modalities. ⋯ Multiple trials and studies have reported success with numerous modalities ranging from nerve blocks, neuroablation, and even peripheral neuromodulation with varying degrees of clinical benefit. Cluneal nerve entrapment or chronic impingement can cause buttock pain or referred pain to nearby areas including the lower back, pelvic area, or even the lower extremities. Clunealgias and associated pain syndromes can often be challenging to diagnose and differentiate. An appreciation of the pathophysiology of clunealgias can assist with patient selection for interventional pain strategies targeted towards the cluneal nerves, including nerve blocks, neuroablation, and peripheral neuromodulation. More research is needed to better delineate the efficacy of these procedures for clunealgias.