Pain physician
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Cervical interlaminar epidural injections are performed frequently in managing chronic neck and upper extremity pain, although less commonly than lumbar interlaminar epidural injections. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration warnings and safeguards to prevent neurologic complications. These were developed by the Multi-Society Pain Workgroup have taken center stage for all types of epidural injections, including cervical interlaminar epidural injections. The recommendations of safeguards to prevent neurologic complications after epidural steroid injections include that cervical interlaminar epidural injections must be performed utilizing fluoroscopy with anteroposterior, lateral, or oblique views with injection of contrast medium and that entry be limited to the C7-T1 epidural space or occasionally the C6-C7 with requirements for magnetic resonance imaging assessment of the epidural space. ⋯ This study illustrates that dural puncture is equally prevalent, though very rare, irrespective of the needle entry level into the epidural space, with an overall dural puncture rate of 1.4%, with 1.8% at the C5-C6 level, 0.87% at the C6-C7 level, and 1.71% at the C7-T1 level. Based on the present literature, it appears that performing the procedure by inserting the needle into the cephalic portion of the intervertebral space rather than the caudal portion may be safer.
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Review Meta Analysis Comparative Study
Comparison of Percutaneous Vertebroplasty and Balloon Kyphoplasty for the Treatment of Single Level Vertebral Compression Fractures: A Meta-analysis of the Literature.
Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) and percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty (PKP) can increase bone strength as well as alleviate the pain caused by vertebral compression fractures (VCFs), and both procedures rely on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement injected into the fractured vertebra for mechanical stabilization of the VCFs. However, there is debate over which of these 2 surgical procedures can give better short-term and long-term outcomes. A lot of studies and meta-analysis were designed to assess the advantages and drawbacks of PKP and PVP in the treatment of VCFs, but most of them didn't consider the effect of VCF levels on the treatment outcome, which can influence the results. ⋯ PKP and PVP are both safe and effective surgical procedures in treating OVCF. PKP has a similar long-term pain relief, function outcome (short-term ODI scores, short-and long-term SF-36 scores), and new adjacent VCFs in comparison to PVP. PKP is superior to PVP for the injected cement volume, the short-term pain relief, the improvement of short- and long-term kyphotic angle, and lower cement leakage rate. However, PKP has a longer operation time and higher material cost than PVP. To confirm this evaluation, a large multi-center randomized controlled trial (RCT) should be conducted.
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Available data have shown steady increases of drug overdose deaths between 1992 and 2011. We review evidenced-based recommendations provided by a few prominent North American pain societies and suggest ways on how health providers might help reduce opioid analgesic deaths by implementing these practices. ⋯ Providers should be aware of all associated factors with opiate analgesic deaths and apply the available evidence in reducing opioid analgesic deaths.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A New Transmucous-Buccal Formulation of Acetaminophen for Acute Traumatic Pain: A Non-inferiority, Randomized, Double-Blind, Clinical Trial.
Acetaminophen (APAP) consumption is large and sometimes excessive, and guidelines suggest to diminish the dosage prescription. In emergency situations of mild/moderate pain intravenous (iv) APAP is recommended, but the route of administration is invasive. ⋯ For acute traumatic pain of moderate intensity, B-APAP has a non-inferior analgesic effect compared to iv-APAP for 2 hours. Such a pharmaceutical form would be useful in emergency situations and breakthrough moderate pain episodes. It would diminish APAP consumption per dosage unit, limit the risk of adverse events and toxicity, and adhere to actual guidelines of APAP prescription. It must be now studied in a larger population and with repeated doses.
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Case Reports
Sphenopalatine ganglion electrical nerve stimulation implant for intractable facial pain.
Persistent idiopathic facial pain can be extremely difficult and significantly challenging to manage for the patient and the clinician. Pharmacological treatment of these painful conditions is not always successful. It has been suggested that the autonomic reflex plays an important role in the pathophysiology of headaches and facial neuralgia. ⋯ The pterygoplatine fossa is an easily accessible location. This case report will be encouraging for physicians treating intractable facial pain by demonstrating a novel therapeutic option. This report shows a minimally invasive approach to the SPG.