Ann Acad Med Singap
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Nov 2009
ReviewThe role of interventional therapies in cancer pain management.
Cancer pain is complex and multifactorial. Most cancer pain can be effectively controlled using analgesics in accordance to the WHO analgesic ladder. However, in a small but significant percentage of cancer patients, systemic analgesics fail to provide adequate control of cancer pain. ⋯ These interventions can be used as sole agents or as useful adjuncts to supplement analgesics. This review will discuss interventional procedures such as epidural and intrathecal drug infusions, intrathecal neurolysis, sympathetic nervous system blockade, nerve blocks, vertebroplasty and the more invasive neurosurgical procedures. Intrathecal medications including opioids, local anaesthetics, clonidine, and ziconotide will also be discussed.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Nov 2009
Abnormal progesterone and corticotropin releasing hormone levels are associated with preterm labour.
This study examined whether maternal plasma progesterone and corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) concentrations can predict the likelihood of preterm labour. ⋯ Maternal progesterone and CRH measurements taken early in the third trimester may be of use as biochemical markers of pregnancies at high risk of premature labour.
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Ann Acad Med Singap · Nov 2009
Case ReportsEfficacy of limited-duration spinal cord stimulation for subacute postherpetic neuralgia.
Excellent outcomes were achieved with spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for 7 to 10 days on 2 patients who developed postherpetic neuralgia. Both patients were within 2 to 3 months of the onset of the condition, and nerve blocks provided only temporary pain relief and drug therapies had poor efficacy. The authors believe that limited-duration SCS for subacute postherpetic neuralgia is a useful treatment approach that may prevent the pain from progressing to chronic postherpetic neuralgia.
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The use of opioids for the treatment of chronic non-cancer pain has become more widespread recently. Available data support the short-term use of opioids in clearly defined nociceptive and neuropathic pain states. Their use in 'pathological' pain states without a clear diagnosis, such as chronic low back pain, is more contentious. ⋯ Treatment should be initiated by a trial period with defined endpoints using slow-release or transdermal opioids. Ongoing management of the patient requires ideally a multi-disciplinary setting. Treatment should not be regarded as life-long and can be discontinued by tapering the dose.
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There is a high prevalence of chronic pain disorders in the population and the individual and societal costs are large. Antidepressants have been used in the treatment of chronic pain and the pain-relieving effects are independent of the mood-elevating properties. We reviewed randomised-controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses of antidepressants in the treatment of chronic pain disorders which were identified through searches of MEDLINE and EMBASE. ⋯ There is emerging evidence that newer dual-action antidepressants are equally efficacious. Antidepressants provide a viable option in the management of chronic pain disorders. Further research into novel antidepressants will aid the pain clinician in optimising treatment for patients.