Current pain and headache reports
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · May 2024
ReviewApplications of Cryoneurolysis in Chronic Pain Management: a Review of the Current Literature.
The purpose of this review is to evaluate and summarize the literature investigating cryoneurolysis in the treatment of various chronic pain pathologies. ⋯ There is an increasing amount of interest in the use of cryoneurolysis in chronic pain, and various studies have investigated its use in lumbar facet joint pain, SI joint pain, post-thoracotomy syndrome, temporomandibular joint pain, chronic knee pain, phantom limb pain, neuropathic pain, and abdominal pain. Numerous retrospective studies and a more limited number of prospective, sham-controlled prospective studies suggest the efficacy of cryoneurolysis in managing these chronic pain pathologies with a low complication rate. However, more blinded, controlled, prospective studies comparing cryoneurolysis to other techniques are needed to clarify its relative risks and advantages.
-
Rebound intracranial hypertension (RIH) is a post-procedural treatment complication in patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) characterized by transient high-pressure headache symptoms. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical features, risk factors, and treatment options for RIH. ⋯ This article discusses how changes in underlying venous pressure and craniospinal elastance can explain symptoms of RIH, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), and SIH. The pathophysiology of RIH provides a clue for how high and low intracranial pressure disorders, such as IIH and SIH, are connected on a shared spectrum.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · May 2024
ReviewNeuraxial Anesthesia and Analgesia During Cardiothoracic Surgery: A Narrative Review.
The purpose of this review is to synthesize and examine the literature on the use of neuraxial anesthesia and analgesia during cardiothoracic surgery. As cardiothoracic procedures often require systemic anticoagulation, neuraxial techniques are quite often underutilized due to the theoretical risk of epidural hematoma. In this review, we seek to examine the literature to review the indications and contraindications and to explore if neuraxial anesthesia and analgesia has a role in cardiothoracic surgery. ⋯ Neuraxial techniques have multiple advantages during cardiothoracic surgery including coronary vasodilation, decreased sympathetic surge, and a decreased cortisol level leading to overall reduction in stress response. Multiple studies have shown an improvement in pain scores, reduction in pulmonary complications, faster extubation times, with minimal complications when neuraxial techniques are utilized in cardiothoracic surgeries. Given the numerous advantages and minimal complications of neuraxial techniques in cardiothoracic surgeries, we hope its utilization continues to increase. Moving forward, we hope additional studies continue to reaffirm the benefits of neuraxial anesthesia and analgesia for cardiothoracic surgeries to improve its utilization.
-
Postcraniotomy headache (PCH) is a common adverse event and can lead to various complications and decreased quality of life. ⋯ To reduce postcraniotomy pain and associated complications, a multimodal pain therapy including analgesics, analgesic adjuncts, and regional anesthesia is essential. The use of opioids should be minimized to facilitate prompt postoperative neurosurgical assessment. Here, we provide an update on the latest evidence regarding the role of scalp nerve blocks in the pain management of patients undergoing craniotomy procedure. Nerve blocks are effective in alleviating postoperative pain after craniotomy. Scalp blocks contribute to lower pain levels and less opioid consumption in the first 48 h following surgery. Moreover, there is a significant decrease in patients suffering from PONV among patients who receive scalp block.
-
Curr Pain Headache Rep · May 2024
ReviewRecent Advances in Management of Neuropathic, Nociceptive, and Chronic Pain: A Narrative Review with Focus on Nanomedicine, Gene Therapy, Stem Cell Therapy, and Newer Therapeutic Options.
This manuscript summarizes novel clinical and interventional approaches in the management of chronic, nociceptive, and neuropathic pain. ⋯ Pain can be defined as a feeling of physical or emotional distress caused by an external stimulus. Pain can be grouped into distinct types according to characteristics including neuropathic pain, which is a pain caused by disease or lesion in the sensory nervous system; nociceptive pain, which is pain that can be sharp, aching, or throbbing and is caused by injury to bodily tissues; and chronic pain, which is long lasting or persisting beyond 6 months. With improved understanding of different signaling systems for pain in recent years, there has been an upscale of methods of analgesia to counteract these pathological processes. Novel treatment methods such as use of cannabinoids, stem cells, gene therapy, nanoparticles, monoclonal antibodies, and platelet-rich plasma have played a significant role in improved strategies for therapeutic interventions. Although many management options appear to be promising, extensive additional clinical research is warranted to determine best practice strategies in the future for clinicians.