Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2003
Case ReportsApplying ultrasound imaging to interscalene brachial plexus block.
Previous studies have examined ultrasound-assisted brachial plexus blocks, but few have applied this imaging technology to the interscalene region. We report a case of interscalene brachial plexus block using ultrasound guidance to show the clinical usefulness of this technology. ⋯ Advanced ultrasound technology is useful for nerve localization and can generate brachial plexus images of high resolution in the interscalene groove, guide block needle placement and advancement in real time to targeted nerves, and assess adequacy of local anesthetic spread at the time of injection. Ultrasound imaging guidance can potentially improve success during interscalene brachial plexus block.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2003
Clinical TrialPostherpetic neuralgia: a descriptive analysis of patients seen in pain clinics.
Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common ailment that pain specialists must often cope with. The goal of the present survey is to investigate the pain characteristics of 119 PHN patients with persistent pain seen at different pain clinics. Methods information on demographic features, pain characteristics (MPQ-SV, VAS, VRS), and treatment was recorded by means of a standard case report form. ⋯ This study reveals a subset of patients, mostly suffering from long-term PHN, where pain persists. The most frequent qualitative traits of PHN patients are described. Some variables were involved in modulation of pain characteristics in these patients. The effect of study design in interpretation of results is discussed.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Jul 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialTopical amitriptyline in healthy volunteers.
The antidepressant amitriptyline is used as an adjuvant in the treatment of a variety of chronic pain conditions. This drug interacts with many receptors and ion channels, such as Na+ channels. In a randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled trial, we investigated whether amitriptyline also is capable of providing cutaneous analgesia when applied topically in 14 healthy volunteers. ⋯ Topically applied amitriptyline is effective as an analgesic in humans. Different vehicles may improve its efficacy and decrease the skin redness observed.