Der Schmerz
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Systems for and methods of quality management are increasingly being implemented in public health services. The aim of our study was to analyze the current state of the integrated quality management concept "quality management acute pain therapy" of the TÜV Rheinland® (TÜV) after a 5-year project period. ⋯ Certification by the TÜV leads to sustainable implementation of quality management principles. Future efforts should focus on better integration of physicians in acute pain therapy and the development of an integrated tool to measure patients' outcome.
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Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS; formerly known as Morbus Sudeck/reflex dystrophy) is diagnosed in children and adolescents, but the clinical presentation is often atypical. Unfortunately, potentially harmful, invasive treatments are used in pediatric patients. ⋯ Despite a lack of evidence for invasive procedures, these continue to be used in children and adolescents with CRPS, who later respond positively to conventional treatment. The English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink (under "Supplemental").
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The aim of this study was to conduct an audit of a university inpatient pain consultation service and to examine the quality and the implementation of the recommended therapeutic measures. Factors that influenced the implementation should be identified. ⋯ Many different pain states are seen in an inpatient pain consultation service. The recommendations given are implemented in most cases especially concerning the medication.
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We report the case of a 39-year-old female patient who suffered from trigeminal neuralgia of the left lingual nerve for 6 years. The previous therapy according to the guidelines including a Jannetta operation was unsuccessful. Only after beginning with daily mastication and consumption of very hot chilli peppers has the patient become reliably pain-free.
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Increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure is often accompanied by headache. The term idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) describes an increase in CSF pressure without a space-occupying intracranial lesion or hydrocephalus. After headaches, visual field defects are the second most common feature. ⋯ In contrast, the CSF passage is blocked outside the ventricles in communicating hydrocephalus. Symptoms include diffuse headache worsening in the morning and with the Valsalva-like maneuver. Treatment is guided by etiology whenever possible; otherwise, drainage of CSF by ventriculostomy or shunt is necessary.