Articles: neuralgia.
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J Pain Palliat Care Pharmacother · Jun 2023
ReviewAnalgesic Treatment Approach for Postherpetic Neuralgia: A Narrative Review.
Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is an entity derived from peripheral nerve damage that occurs during the reactivation of the Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV), which manifests itself through pain with neuropathic characteristics. This can prove to be very difficult to manage in the chronic stages of disease reappearance. There currently exists a multitude of treatment alternatives for PHN, however, prevention through the early initiation of antiviral regimens is vital. ⋯ Interventional procedures have become a cornerstone in difficult-to-manage cases, and have shown promising outcomes when used in a multimodal approach by experienced specialists. It is necessary to make an objective diagnosis of PHN and start early treatment. Additionally there is current evidence that vouches for interventional therapies as well as individualization, with a clear establishment of therapeutic objectives according to the needs of each patient.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · May 2023
ReviewEvidence-Based Treatment of Pain in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a debilitating and often painful condition that occurs after administration of chemotherapeutic agents. The primary objective of this systematic review was to appraise the literature on conservative, pharmacological, and interventional treatment options for CIPN pain. ⋯ There is level I evidence supporting modest to moderate improvement in CIPN pain from duloxetine treatment, as well as short-term modest improvement from physical therapy and acupuncture. Although opioid and cannabis administration may provide short-term modest improvement, administration is commonly limited by side effects. Generally, most studies reported no clinical benefit from yoga, topical neuropathic agents, gabapentinoids, and tricyclic antidepressants. Evidence is currently equivocal for scrambler therapy and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Finally, evidence on neuromodulation options is limited to mostly case reports/series and one observational study highlighting moderate improvement with auricular nerve stimulation. This systematic review provides an overview of conservative, pharmacologic, and interventional treatment modalities for CIPN pain. Furthermore, it provides a level of evidence and degree of recommendation based on the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) criteria for each specific treatment modality.
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Comment Meta Analysis
In patients with chronic neuropathic pain, cannabinoids improve sleep and reduce pain vs. placebo.
McParland AL, Bhatia A, Matelski J, et al. Evaluating the impact of cannabinoids on sleep health and pain in patients with chronic neuropathic pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2022;48:180-190. 36598058.
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The main aim was to determine the effects of percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (PENS) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on endogenous pain mechanisms in patients with musculoskeletal pain. ⋯ PENS and TENS have a mild-moderate immediate effect on local mechanical hyperalgesia in patients with musculoskeletal pain. It appears that these effects are not sustained over time. Analyses suggest an effect on central pain mechanisms producing a moderate increase in remote PPT, an increase in conditioned pain modulation, but further studies are needed to draw clearer conclusions.
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Cluneal neuropathy is encompassed by three distinct clinical entities. Superior, middle, and inferior cluneal neuralgia make up the constellation of symptoms associated with cluneal neuropathy. Each has its own variable anatomy. ⋯ Adjusted incidence rates of superior cluneal neuropathy are 1.6%-11.7%. Accurate diagnosis remains challenging due to the lack of standardized criteria and the aforementioned variability. Treatment may include therapeutic nerve blocks, ablative techniques, neuromodulation, and surgical decompression. Gaps including those related to true incidence and work up exist. Outcomes from interventional studies are limited and mixed due to significant population heterogeneity and non-standardized treatment approaches coupled with very small sample sizes.