Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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Insomnia is a highly prevalent problem among patients with chronic pain. Interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation programs (IPRPs) are a leading treatment option for chronic pain; however, research is limited and existing findings are mixed on the impact of insomnia symptoms on IPRP outcomes and the extent to which insomnia symptoms improve as a result of IPRP treatment. ⋯ These findings suggest that usual IPRP care confers overall treatment benefit for individuals with chronic pain and insomnia. However, insomnia symptoms may negatively impact pain treatment outcomes and usual care appears insufficient to address elevated insomnia symptoms for many patients. Additional insomnia-specific treatment may be warranted for patients with comorbid chronic pain.
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Case Reports
Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha and an Epidural Abscess During a Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial: A Case Report.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is commonly utilized for treatment and management of chronic intractable low back and lower extremity pain. Although SCS is an overall low-risk procedure, there are potential life-threatening complications, including surgical site infections, such as an epidural abscess. Immunosuppression, a risk factor for epidural abscess, is becoming more common as an increasing number of patients are being treated with biologics for a multitude of autoimmune disorders. ⋯ Immunosuppression can be the result of multiple issues including cancer, HIV, and biologic agents, such as anti-TNF alpha for the management of autoimmune diseases. There is limited evidence pertaining to the development of epidural abscesses in patients on anti-TNF alpha medications who undergo SCS. Studies focused on infections in patients undergoing SCS trials and permanent implants while on anti-TNF alpha agents could provide recommendations and guidance.
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Letter Case Reports
Ultrasound-Guided L5/S1 Intradiscal Needle Placement using Biplanar Approach with the Patient in the Lateral Decubitus Position - A Report of Three Cases.
The use of ultrasound (US)-guided intradiscal injection has been described in the literature with the patient lying in the prone position; however, many patients are unable to lie in the prone position. Therefore, we describe an innovative technique of US-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) administration in the lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) of 3 patients with chronic lower back pain who failed to improve with conservative management. ⋯ This report described a novel technique demonstrating that US-guided lumbar intradiscal needle placement for PRP administration in patients lying in the lateral decubitus position is feasible.