Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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Review Comparative Study
Longevity and Utilization Cost of Rechargeable and Non-Rechargeable Spinal Cord Stimulation Implants: A Comparative Study.
Despite major advancements in features and capabilities of the implantable pulse generator (IPG), real-life longevity and cost-effectiveness studies to guide pain specialists to make the appropriate choice between rechargeable and non-rechargeable IPG are limited. Our study aimed to compare the longevity and cost effectiveness of rechargeable vs. non-rechargeable IPG and SCS systems. ⋯ Rechargeable IPG had increased longevity compared to their non-rechargeable counterparts, yet there was no significant difference in the actual longevity due to premature revisions or explantations between both SCS systems. Furthermore, non-rechargeable SCS systems were found to be the more cost-effective option when compared with rechargeable SCS systems.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Randomized pragmatic pilot trial comparing perpendicular thin electrodes versus parallel thick electrodes approaches for lumbar medial branch neurotomy in facetogenic low back pain.
Although there are different ways of performing medial branch neurotomy on facetogenic low back pain, few studies have compared clinical outcomes of a parallel technique over the medial branch vs. a perpendicular technique. We investigated differences in pain outcome with both techniques. ⋯ There were differences at 6 months in the categorical analysis of the evolution of pain, Oswestry Disability Index score, Roland Morris Questionnaire score, and some functional Likert scale scores, all in favor of the parallel group.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Local Administration of Methylcobalamin for Subacute Ophthalmic Herpetic Neuralgia: A Randomized, Phase III Clinical Trial.
The ophthalmic branch of the trigeminal nerve is one of the most frequently involved sites of postherpetic neuralgia. A single-center randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of local methylcobalamin injection for subacute ophthalmic herpetic neuralgia (SOHN). ⋯ This study indicates that local injection of methylcobalamin produces significant pain relief from SOHN and is superior to systemic administration.
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The effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) as pain-relieving treatment for failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) has already been demonstrated. However, potential structural and functional brain alterations resulting from subsensory SCS are less clear. The aim of this study was to test structural volumetric changes in a priori chosen regions of interest related to chronic pain after 1 month and 3 months of high-frequency SCS in patients with FBSS. ⋯ In patients with FBSS, high-frequency SCS influences structural brain regions over time. The volume of the hippocampus was decreased bilaterally after 3 months of high-frequency SCS with a positive correlation with back pain intensity.
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Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
10 kHz SCS for chronic postsurgical pain: Results from a 12-month prospective, multicenter study.
Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) can be caused by peripheral nerve injury (PNI) resulting from surgical procedures and has a significant neuropathic component. This prospective, single-arm study was conducted to document the effectiveness of 10-kHz spinal cord stimulation (10-kHz SCS) as a treatment for patients with CPSP. ⋯ 10-kHz SCS is effective and tolerated in patients with CPSP, and further study of its clinical application in this population is warranted.