Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Selection of deep brain stimulation candidates in private neurology practices: referral may be simpler than a computerized triage system.
The objective of this study is to compare a computerized deep brain stimulation (DBS) screening module (Comparing Private Practice vs. Academic Centers in Selection of DBS Candidates [COMPRESS], NeuroTrax Corp., Bellaire, TX, USA) with traditional triage by a movement disorders specialized neurologist as the gold standard. ⋯ The COMPRESS agreed with an in-person evaluation by a movement disorders neurologist approximately 80% of the time. The computerized COMPRESS did not provide any screening advantage over the short FLASQ-PD paper questionnaire. Larger studies will be needed to assess the utility and cost effectiveness of this computerized triage method for DBS.
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Comparative Study
Sufentanil versus fentanyl: efficacy and patient satisfaction with intrathecal pain management.
This study compared fentanyl vs. sufentanil in intrathecal pain pumps. H1: both reduce patient subjective pain ratings. H2: sufentanil is more effective than fentanyl. H3: overall satisfaction with pain control is greater with sufentanil. ⋯ Sufentanil was found to be marginally more effective, but both medications controlled a significant degree of variance in pain reduction over time. A significantly greater number of patients maintained on sufentanil were satisfied with care than patients on fentanyl.
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Long-term studies of subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with Parkinson's disease have shown potential cognitive and linguistic side-effects. In this pilot study, we examined whether direct monopolar stimulation in the ventral, associative STN would result in language effects. ⋯ Our data support previous findings implicating STN stimulation in cognitive-linguistic effects. A larger patient group with a blinded methodology is warranted.
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We report a retrospective case study of combined treatment of cancer-related pain and chronic low back and lower extremity pain related to postlaminectomy syndrome (PLS) with one spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system. ⋯ SCS provides an effective, alternative treatment for select patients with cancer-related chest wall pain and pain related to PLS who have failed conservative treatment.