Anesthesia and analgesia
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2011
Comparative StudyEnhancing the relative safety of intentional or unintentional intrathecal methylprednisolone administration by removing polyethylene glycol.
Previous studies have shown that intrathecal methylprednisolone is a very effective treatment for postherpetic neuralgia. However, widespread use of intrathecal methylprednisolone is limited by the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a preservative in the commercial formulation. In this study, we are proposing a method to reduce the concentration of PEG in the methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) suspension by inverting a vial before sterilely aspirating the contents into a syringe for subsequent injection. The purpose of this brief study was to precisely quantify the concentration of PEG in the MPA suspension. ⋯ We believe that by decreasing the PEG concentration using our method, MPA-related complications will potentially be reduced, and this should be considered in patients with postherpetic neuralgia refractory to other treatments who might be candidates for repeated intrathecal injections.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2011
Comparative StudyIntrathecal ultra-low dose naloxone enhances the antinociceptive effect of morphine by enhancing the reuptake of excitatory amino acids from the synaptic cleft in the spinal cord of partial sciatic nerve-transected rats.
In this study, we examined the effects of ultra-low dose naloxone on the antinociceptive effect of morphine and on spinal cord dorsal horn glutamate transporter expression in rats with neuropathic pain. ⋯ Ultra-low dose naloxone enhanced the antinociceptive effect of morphine in PST rats, possibly by restoration of GLAST and GLT-1 expression in astrocytes, which inhibited the accumulation of EAAs in the synapses, resulting in a neuroprotective effect.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2011
Review Comparative StudyWhen right is right and when it's not: laterality in cardiac structures.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2011
Case ReportsHigh thoracic/cervical epidural blood patch for spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak: a new challenge for anesthesiologists.
Spontaneous cerebral spinal fluid leakage is increasingly recognized as a cause of headache due to low intracranial pressure. The site of leakage can be identified with radionuclide cisternography, and anesthesiologists are increasingly requested to provide epidural blood patch for their management. This series of case reports demonstrates some of the issues relating to the management of this condition.
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Anesthesia and analgesia · Dec 2011
Comparative StudyAutomatic computerized endotracheal tube position verification: an animal model evaluation.
Improper endotracheal tube positioning carries a high risk for morbidity and mortality; verification and confirmation of correct placement is necessary. We propose a computer-automated identification of endotracheal tube positioning using image analysis. The end product will not retain a monitor; rather, the acquired image will be automatically analyzed by a mini electronic processor. ⋯ A potential tube position verification system was assessed. High accuracy of the analysis algorithm was shown using nonperfused biological tissue, justifying further research.