Regional anesthesia and pain medicine
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Sep 2015
ReviewPercutaneous Balloon Compression for Trigeminal Neuralgia: Imaging and Technical Aspects.
Trigeminal neuralgia attacks are among the most painful conditions known. Trigeminal neuralgias are hypothesized to be caused by neurovascular conflict at the trigeminal root entry zone in the prepontine cistern. A range of therapeutic options is available including open surgical microvascular decompression and several percutaneous ablative techniques (eg, radiofrequency rhizotomy and glycerol gangliolysis). ⋯ This operative approach has proven popular with neurosurgeons as it is considered to be technically easier to perform than other methods. Nevertheless, pain physicians might regard this technique as challenging, relatively risky, and requiring special expertise. Accordingly, in this imaging article, we describe our percutaneous balloon compression procedure, paying particular attention to the technical and radiological details.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Sep 2015
Observational StudyPerioperative Dexamethasone and the Development of Chronic Postmastectomy Pain: A Single-Center Observational Cohort Study.
Perioperative modulation of the surgical inflammatory response has been hypothesized as a viable pharmacological preventive target for the development of chronic pain after surgery. The objective of the current investigation was to evaluate an association between intravenous dexamethasone 4 to 20 mg on the day of surgery with self-reported pain in the breast or axilla 3 months or more after mastectomy. ⋯ Perioperative dexamethasone is not associated with a reduction in the incidence and/or severity of chronic postmastectomy pain. In addition, we did not detect a dose-response effect of dexamethasone on the incidence of chronic postsurgical pain.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Sep 2015
ReviewNeurological Complications Associated With Elective Orthopedic Surgery: Part 2, Common Hip and Knee Procedures.
Many anesthesiologists may not be familiar with the rate of surgical neurological complications of the hip and knee procedures for which they are providing local anesthetic-based anesthesia and/or analgesia. Part 2 of this narrative review series on neurological complications of elective orthopedic surgery describes the mechanisms and likelihood of peripheral nerve injury associated with some of the most common hip and knee procedures, including arthroscopic hip and knee surgery and total hip and knee replacement.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Sep 2015
ReviewAnatomy and Pathophysiology of Spinal Cord Injury Associated With Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine: 2015 Update.
In March 2012, the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine convened its second Practice Advisory on Neurological Complications in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. This update is based on the proceedings of that conference and relevant information published since its conclusion. This article updates previously described information on the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury and adds new material on spinal stenosis, blood pressure control during neuraxial blockade, neuraxial injury subsequent to transforaminal procedures, cauda equina syndrome/local anesthetic neurotoxicity/arachnoiditis, and performing regional anesthetic or pain medicine procedures in patients concomitantly receiving general anesthesia or deep sedation. ⋯ Since publication of initial recommendations in 2008, new information has enhanced our understanding of 5 specific entities: spinal stenosis, blood pressure control during neuraxial anesthesia, neuraxial injury subsequent to transforaminal techniques, cauda equina syndrome/local anesthetic neurotoxicity/arachnoiditis, and performing regional anesthetic or pain procedures in patients concomitantly receiving general anesthesia or deep sedation.
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Reg Anesth Pain Med · Sep 2015
Case ReportsWorsening of Neurologic Symptoms After Spinal Anesthesia in Two Patients With Spinal Stenosis.
Spinal stenosis has been proposed as a previously unrecognized risk factor for neurologic complications after neuraxial techniques. ⋯ We conclude that, until the relative contribution of patient and surgical (eg, positioning, retractors, hypotension) factors is known, the decision to perform neuraxial blockade in patients with severe symptoms of neuroclaudication or recently progressive symptomatic spinal stenosis should be made cautiously. Avoidance of spinal anesthesia is suggested for any procedure with prolonged lordotic positioning or any position that might cause a compromise of the spinal canal because subarachnoid block may contribute to any deterioration suffered by the patient.