Articles: neuralgia.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Jun 2021
Review Case ReportsThe Diagnosis and Management of Posttraumatic Headache with Associated Painful Cranial Neuralgias: a Review and Case Series.
Cranial neuralgias are common in the setting of posttraumatic headache. They may exacerbate underlying primary headache disorders and therefore may be overlooked in clinical practice. Frequently, cranial neuralgias generate neuropathic symptoms such as lancinating pain and sensory dysesthesias. Cranial neuralgias are identified based on a clinical history of focal neuropathic pain and physical exam findings including tenderness with palpation and percussion, at times eliciting radiating pain or paresthesias in the corresponding sensory nerve distribution. ⋯ Two patients presented with headaches that met criteria for posttraumatic headache, but their history and physical examination suggested the presence of a focal painful cranial neuralgia. One patient was diagnosed with auriculotemporal neuralgia, which was exquisitely responsive to an auriculotemporal nerve block. The second patient was diagnosed with supratrochlear neuralgia, which was effectively treated with a supratrochlear nerve block. In both cases, adequate treatment of the painful cranial neuralgia resulted in significant improvement of the baseline PTH. Painful cranial neuralgias frequently occur within the clinical spectrum of posttraumatic headache, but are often undiagnosed. Treatment options for painful cranial neuralgias are often different than those traditionally employed for posttraumatic headache without cranial neuralgias, which can include peripheral nerve blockade, neuropathic medications, and in refractory cases, peripheral nerve decompression surgery.
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Transverse myelitis (TM) is a spinal cord inflammatory myelopathy that causes motor/sensory loss and urinary retention below the level of the affected spinal cord. Although a few case reports have described the control of neuropathic pain in patients with TM via spinal cord stimulation, no documented case regarding the control of severe allodynia following TM via intrathecal pump has been described. ⋯ Neuropathic pain due to Sjögren's syndrome-related TM could be controlled effectively using the intrathecal morphine pump.
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Generator site pain is a relatively common phenomenon in patients undergoing spinal cord stimulation (SCS) that complicates management and effective pain relief. This pain may be managed conservatively, with repositioning of the battery and, in some cases, with explant. Here we explore our experience with management of generator site pain ("pocket pain") in a large single-center study. ⋯ In our institutional experience, pocket pain was inadequately managed with conservative treatments. Being female and having SCS filed under WC increased risk of pocket pain. Future work will explore the nuances in device placement based on body shape and manual activity responsibilities.
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The bone & joint journal · Jun 2021
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyChronic pain with neuropathic characteristics after surgery for major trauma to the lower limb: prevalence, predictors, and association with pain severity, disability, and quality of life in the UK WHiST trial.
To identify the prevalence of neuropathic pain after lower limb fracture surgery, assess associations with pain severity, quality of life and disability, and determine baseline predictors of chronic neuropathic pain at three and at six months post-injury. ⋯ Pain with neuropathic characteristics is common after lower limb fracture surgery and persists to six months post-injury. Persistent neuropathic pain is associated with substantially poorer recovery. Further attention to identify neuropathic pain post-lower limb injury, predicting patients at risk, and targeting interventions, is indicated. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(6):1047-1054.
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Observational Study
Phenotyping peripheral neuropathic pain in male and female adolescents: pain descriptors, somatosensory profiles, conditioned pain modulation and child-parent reported disability.
Neuropathic pain (NeuP) can be difficult to diagnose and manage in children. Data regarding prevalence and sex-dependent differences are limited, and more detailed phenotyping is needed. This observational cohort study recruited adolescents (10-17 years) with NeuP or complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). ⋯ Child-parent QoL scores correlated, but catastrophizing scores were discordant when parents or adolescents reported higher anxiety/depression. NeuP in adolescents is associated with significant pain, physical impairment, and psychosocial impairment. Quantifying alterations in somatosensory profiles, descending modulation, child and parent psychological function will inform individualized therapy and stratification for future clinical trials.