Current pain and headache reports
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2022
Review Case ReportsNeuropathic Pain Associated with COVID-19: a Systematic Review of Case Reports.
Researchers suggests that patients with COVID-19 develop neuropathic pain within weeks or months following infection and that patients with neuropathic pain and COVID-19 sometimes present with deterioration of neurologic complications and pain exacerbation. The objective of this systematic review is to discuss the case-reports having neuropathic pain during and after COVID-19 infection. ⋯ Case reports that has described about patients getting neuropathy or neuropathic pain around the disease either immediately or late post COVID were included. The data was extracted and qualitatively synthesised. Literature was searched and 939 articles were found. 12 articles were screened as per the eligibility criteria and finally, 6 case reports on neuropathic pain in Covid-19 were selected from the database and manual search and finalised for analysis. 2 cases of herpes zoster and post herpetic neuralgia, 2 cases of intense burning pain, 1 case of trigeminal neuralgia and 1 of brachial plexopathy included for the review. Covid 19 viral neurogenic invasion is something very newly discovered topic of discussion in the field of research. With the passage of time, more cases will emerge and more data will be available for research. The review is registered in Prospero with no. CRD42021257060.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2022
ReviewSelf-Reported Efficacy of Treatments in Cluster Headache: a Systematic Review of Survey Studies.
The use and efficacy of various substances in the treatment of CH have been studied in several retrospective surveys. The aim of the study is to systematically review published survey studies to evaluate the reported efficacies of both established and unconventional substances in abortive and prophylactic treatment of both episodic and chronic CH, specifically assessing the consistency of the results. ⋯ No systematic review have been conducted of these studies previously. A systematic literature search with a set of search terms was conducted on PubMed. Retrospective surveys that quantified the self-reported efficacy of two or more CH treatments, published in English during 2000-2020, were included. Several key characteristics and results of the studies were extracted. A total of 994 articles were identified of which 9 were found to be eligible based on the selection criteria. In total, 5419 respondents were included. Oxygen and subcutaneous triptan injections were most reported as effective abortive treatments, while psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide were most commonly reported as effective prophylactic treatments. The reported efficacy of most substances was consistent across different studies, and there were marked differences in the reported efficacies of different substances. The reported order of efficacy is generally in agreement with clinical studies. The findings suggest that retrospective surveys can be used to obtain supporting information on the effects of various substances used in the treatment of CH and to form hypotheses about novel treatment methods. The consistently reported efficacy of psilocybin and LSD in prophylactic treatment indicates need for clinical studies.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2022
ReviewCardiovascular Disease and Migraine: Are the New Treatments Safe?
The authors present data on cardiovascular safety for the new acute and preventive migraine treatments including ditans, gepants, and calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies (CGRP mAbs) alongside older medications like triptans and ergotamines. ⋯ The authors conclude that there are no cardiovascular safety concerns for lasmiditan, and that it could be used in those with cardiovascular disease. In fact, the literature even suggests that triptans are safer in cardiovascular disease than their contraindications may suggest. At this time, there is insufficient evidence that gepants and CGRP mAbs should be contraindicated in those with cardiovascular disease including stroke or myocardial infarction, though erenumab has now been associated with hypertension. Vasodilation may be an important CGRP-mediated mechanism mid-ischemia especially in patients with small vessel disease; hence, CGRP antagonists should be use with caution in this context. Long-term data is still needed, and prescribers should ensure patients are aware of the limitations of our knowledge at this time, while still offering these effective and well-tolerated treatment options.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2022
ReviewEvidence-Based Treatment of Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: a Systematic Review.
Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) manifests with pain typically in the distal lower extremities and can be challenging to treat. The authors appraised the literature for evidence on conservative, pharmacological, and neuromodulation treatment options for PDN. ⋯ Intensive glycemic control with insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes may be associated with lower odds of distal symmetric polyneuropathy compared to patients who receive conventional insulin therapy. First-line pharmacologic therapy for PDN includes gabapentinoids (pregabalin and gabapentin) and duloxetine. Additional pharmacologic modalities that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but are considered second-line agents include tapentadol and 8% capsaicin patch, although studies have revealed modest treatment effects from these modalities. There is level I evidence on the use of dorsal column spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for treatment of PDN, delivering either a 10-kHz waveform or tonic waveform. In summary, this review provides an overview of treatment options for PDN. Furthermore, it provides updates on the level of evidence for SCS therapy in cases of PDN refractory to conventional medical therapy.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · Aug 2022
ReviewRecent Advances and Future Directions in Middle Meningeal Artery Embolization for Chronic Subdural Hematomas.
The purpose of this review is to present a brief background on chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH), middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization, and its role in decreasing recurrence of cSDH. A review of the most up-to-date literature should demonstrate the efficacy of this procedure. ⋯ The latest data shows that MMA embolization is a safe procedure, with low complication rates and low recurrence rates. While cSDH managed with surgical evacuation can have a recurrence rate upwards of 30%, MMA embolization alone or as an adjunct to surgery decreases recurrence to less than 5% in most studies. MMA embolization can be especially useful in high-risk populations such as the elderly, patients on anti-platelet medication, and those with coagulopathies. It can also be done awake, done without general anesthesia, and is significantly less invasive than traditional surgical techniques. In reviewing the literature on MMA embolization, it is clear that there are numerous retrospective studies and systematic reviews demonstrating its safety and efficacy, and some prospective dual-arm studies that present novel information. The numerous clinical trials that are currently underway should help to further establish MMA embolization as standard of care in the management of cSDH.