Current pain and headache reports
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Migraine is prevalent in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The purpose of this review is to summarize and interpret studies that examine stress response systems in patients with migraine, focusing on their relevance to the pathologies associated with POTS. Important structural and functional components of the stress response network are also reviewed. ⋯ In patients with migraine, studies examining the autonomic nervous system have demonstrated interictal sympathetic hypofunction and ictal sympathetic hyperfunction, while those focusing on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis have demonstrated elevated responsivity. There is evidence that activation of these stress response systems during a migraine episode may exacerbate vascular dysfunction and play a role in the development of central sensitization. Activation of the stress response systems during an episode of migraine has the potential to exacerbate the pathology of POTS. Treatment approaches for the patient with comorbid episodic migraine and POTS should consider the etiology of POTS.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Nov 2023
ReviewAnalgesia for the Bayesian Brain: How Predictive Coding Offers Insights Into the Subjectivity of Pain.
In order to better treat pain, we must understand its architecture and pathways. Many modulatory approaches of pain management strategies are only poorly understood. This review aims to provide a theoretical framework of pain perception and modulation in order to assist in clinical understanding and research of analgesia and anesthesia. ⋯ Limitations of traditional models for pain have driven the application of new data analysis models. The Bayesian principle of predictive coding has found increasing application in neuroscientific research, providing a promising theoretical background for the principles of consciousness and perception. It can be applied to the subjective perception of pain. Pain perception can be viewed as a continuous hierarchical process of bottom-up sensory inputs colliding with top-down modulations and prior experiences, involving multiple cortical and subcortical hubs of the pain matrix. Predictive coding provides a mathematical model for this interplay.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Nov 2023
ReviewAnalgesic Techniques for Rib Fractures-A Comprehensive Review Article.
Rib fractures are a common traumatic injury that has been traditionally treated with systemic opioids and non-opioid analgesics. Due to the adverse effects of opioid analgesics, regional anesthesia techniques have become an increasingly promising alternative. This review article aims to explore the efficacy, safety, and constraints of medical management and regional anesthesia techniques in alleviating pain related to rib fractures. ⋯ Recently, opioid analgesia, thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA), and paravertebral block (PVB) have been favored options in the pain management of rib fractures. TEA has positive analgesic effects, and many studies vouch for its efficacy; however, it is contraindicated for many patients. PVB is a viable alternative to those with contraindications to TEA and exhibits promising outcomes compared to other regional anesthesia techniques; however, a failure rate of up to 10% and adverse complications challenge its administration in trauma settings. Serratus anterior plane blocks (SAPB) and erector spinae blocks (ESPB) serve as practical alternatives to TEA or PVB with lower incidences of adverse effects while exhibiting similar levels of analgesia. ESPB can be performed by trained emergency physicians, making it a feasible procedure to perform that is low-risk and efficient in pain management. Compared to the other techniques, intercostal nerve block (ICNB) had less analgesic impact and required concurrent intravenous medication to achieve comparable outcomes to the other blocks. The regional anesthesia techniques showed great success in improving pain scores and expediting recovery in many patients. However, choosing the optimal technique may not be so clear and will depend on the patient's case and the team's preferences. The peripheral nerve blocks have impressive potential in the future and may very well surpass neuraxial techniques; however, further research is needed to prove their efficacy and weaknesses.
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Curr Pain Headache Rep · Nov 2023
ReviewCurrent Neurostimulation Therapies for Chronic Pain Conditions.
Neurostimulation treatment options have become more commonly used for chronic pain conditions refractory to these options. In this review, we characterize current neurostimulation therapies for chronic pain conditions and provide an analysis of their effectiveness and clinical adoption. This manuscript will inform clinicians of treatment options for chronic pain. ⋯ Non-invasive neurostimulation includes transcranial direct current stimulation and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, while more invasive options include spinal cord stimulation (SCS), peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), dorsal root ganglion stimulation, motor cortex stimulation, and deep brain stimulation. Developments in transcranial direct current stimulation, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, spinal cord stimulation, and peripheral nerve stimulation render these modalities most promising for the alleviating chronic pain. Neurostimulation for chronic pain involves non-invasive and invasive modalities with varying efficacy. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to delineate the outcomes of neurostimulatory modalities more precisely.
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In this review article, we summarize the most recent findings and observations in patients experiencing primary cough headache. ⋯ Recent studies draw attention to further characterization of patients with primary cough headache in a pulmonology clinic. There have also been recent case studies describing new therapy considerations, including noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation and lumbar punctures. Primary cough headache has been a recognized entity since as early as 1932. Patients generally report a sudden onset, sharp headache lasting a few hours that is precipitated by Valsalva maneuver or coughing. It remains an uncommon diagnosis, and secondary causes are crucial to rule out with imaging studies. Additionally, there can be an overlap with other primary headache disorders such as primary exercise headache and headache associated with sexual activity, thus requiring a detailed history. Many hypotheses exist regarding the pathophysiology including relative pressure gradients and a crowded posterior fossa. Generally, patients are responsive to indomethacin, but more recent case reports have suggested benefits of other medications and procedures that may offer patients an alternative option, including vagus nerve stimulation, lumbar punctures, and beta blockers. Future case series and studies should focus on management of these patients, with a specific focus on individuals who do not tolerate indomethacin.