Neuromodulation : journal of the International Neuromodulation Society
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This report details the course of a 77-year-old patient suffering mild pain from operated tongue cancer and excruciating, intractable pain from thoracic (T6-T8) post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), The mouth pain was treated with nonopioid analgesics, as the patient had personal objections to opioid treatment. All the components of the pain from his PHN (continuous burning pain, intermittent lancinating stabbing pain, and tactile allodynia) were successfully treated with an Intrathecal Infusion of buprenorphine (0.03 mg/ml) and bupivacaine (4.75 mg/ml) administered via an externalized intrathecal catheter with the tip located at T9-T10 intervertebral disc. The treatment started three months after the appearance of the herpetic eruption and lasted 294 days until the patient died of malnutrition and the progression of his tongue cancer. ⋯ The patient could ambulate without support while on 90-100 mg/day of intrathecal bupivacaine. During a series of high-pressure oxygen treatments in a pressure chamber to treat an infection at the site of his tumor, the intrathecal infusion was interrupted. Thus, repeated observation of the intervals of severe pain and of analgesia were possible.
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Study Design. This is a prospective study designed to identify psychological factors associated with response to spinal cord stimulation (SCS) trial. Summary of Background Data. ⋯ Conclusions. Patient mood state is an important predictor of trial outcome. Specific indicators of SCS trial outcome are the MMPI depression and mania subscale scores with successful trials being associated with individuals who are less depressed and have higher energy levels.
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Study Design. This is a retrospective study on 102 patients subjected to implantation of a spinal cord stimulation system for nonmalignant chronic pain management. The study was conducted through an extensive questionnaire and telephone interviews by a neutral third party. ⋯ Psychological screening contributed to the success of the procedure. Conclusions. With proper medical and psychological screening and with demonstrated initial pain relief, spinal cord stimulation remains an effective modality in the long-term management of severe chronic pain.
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Objective. To evaluate the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation using multiple independent programmable electrode selections compared to simple continuous stimulation. Design. ⋯ Conclusions. Continuous stimulation was not selected by any patient in favor of multi-stimulation or patient-controlled stimulation. This study indicates that in spinal cord stimulation the use of multiple electrodes together with advanced programmability increases paresthesia overlap, reduces pain scores, reduces revision rates, and improves patient satisfaction with spinal cord stimulation therapy.
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Objectives. To test the efficacy and safety of intraspinal opioids for patients with nonmalignant pain. Design. ⋯ Conclusions. Long-term intrathecal opioids are efficacious, practical, and safe for the treatment of nonmalignant pain syndromes. FBSS patients respond similarly to intraspinal analgesia as the patients with neuropathic pain, while the group with mixed pain from other non-FBSS causes respond similarly to the nociceptive pain patients.