The Clinical journal of pain
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effect of buprenorphine and fentanyl on descending pain modulation: a human experimental study.
The descending pain inhibitory system is impaired in chronic pain and it is important to know how analgesics interact with this system. The aim of this human experimental pain, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 3 way cross-over study was to investigate the effect of 2 different opioids on descending pain inhibition using conditioning pain modulation (CPM) as a screening tool. ⋯ The opioids buprenorphine and fentanyl significantly potentiate the effect of descending pain inhibition in healthy volunteers.
-
With the exception of interdigital neuromas, cutaneous neuromas are relatively rare and often present a diagnostic challenge. ⋯ The diagnosis of cutaneous neuroma should be considered in all patients who have intractable pain and allodynia at unusual locations and in atypical patterns. In addition, ultrasonography can prove very useful in the detection of small cutaneous neuromas if the site of symptoms can be precisely localized.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Perioperative intravenous lidocaine decreases the incidence of persistent pain after breast surgery.
Perioperative lidocaine (1.5 mg/kg bolus then 1.5 mg/kg/h until 1 h after skin closure) reduces the incidence of persistent post-surgical pain after breast cancer surgery at 3 months.
summary -
To evaluate if sensory, motor, and psychological factors are different in severe lateral epicondylalgia compared with less severe cases and control. ⋯ Lateral epicondylalgia patients presenting with severe pain and disability could be distinguished by hypersensitivity to thermal stimuli, notably bilateral cold hyperalgesia. Findings may implicate a combination of central, peripheral, and sympathetic nervous system processes and may help explain the poorer outcomes found in this subpopulation.
-
To perform a topical review of the published literature on painful neuromas. ⋯ Neuromas develop as part of a normal reparative process following peripheral nerve injury. Painful neuromas can induce intense pain resulting in immense suffering and disability. MRI aids the diagnosis, but, ultrasound imaging allows cost effective accurate diagnosis and localization of neuromas by demonstrating their direct contiguity with the nerve of origin. Management options for painful neuromas include pharmacotherapy, prosthetic adjustments, steroid injection, chemical neurolysis, cryoablation, and radiofrequency ablation. Ultrasound imaging guidance has improved the success in localizing and targeting the neuromas. This review discusses the patho-physiology and accumulated evidence for various therapies and the current percutaneous interventional management options for painful neuromas.