The Clinical journal of pain
-
Multiple cortical areas including the primary somatosensory cortex are known to be involved in nociception. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) that modulates the cortical excitability painlessly and noninvasively, over somatosensory cortex on acute pain perception induced with a Tm:YAG laser. ⋯ Our study highlights the antinociceptive effect of this technique and may contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms underlying pain relief. The pharmacologic prolongation of the excitability-diminishing after-effects would render the method applicable to different patient populations with chronic pain.
-
Abdominal pain is one of the most common symptoms in children. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of opioid analgesia in children with abdominal pain presenting to the pediatric Emergency Department (ED) and to identify factors associated with administration of opioids. ⋯ Few pediatric patients with abdominal pain are treated with pain medications. The decision to use opioid analgesia for acute abdominal pain in the pediatric ED is influenced by acuity level, pain score documentation in triage, and location of abdominal pain. Efforts should be made to educate physicians on the appropriate administration and dose of opioids in children with abdominal pain in the ED.
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) for pain relief during suprapubic aspiration in young infants: a randomized, controlled trial.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether a eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream reduce the pain experienced by newborns and young infants undergoing suprapubic aspiration (SPA). ⋯ Newborns and infants undergoing SPA experience pain during the procedure. Application of EMLA cream 1 hour before SPA is effective in reducing the pain associated with SPA. In situations in which an SPA is not emergent, strong consideration should be given to the use of EMLA.
-
Numerous potential complications are associated with the use of programmable intrathecal (IT) drug delivery systems. Radiation is often assumed to cause dysfunctions of the programmable IT device. However, radiation-induced failure of this device and limits of dose exposure have not clinically documented. ⋯ Estimated cumulative doses to the pump were in the range of 28.5 to 36 Gy when the alarm occurred after 20 daily treatments. The IT pump itself exposed to this high-dose radiation did not pose any risk to the patient or the environment. This is the first case description about the pump malfunction secondary to clinical radiotherapy, which is very useful to physicians who manage the pain and radiotherapy for cancer patients.
-
To present different aspects and advantages of the laparoscopic approach to the pelvic nerves aimed at treating intractable pelvic neuralgia. ⋯ Laparoscopic approach to the pelvic nerves opens new possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic neuralgia, and offers new curative surgical techniques.