Pain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain
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Pain is a highly prevalent and distressing symptom in patients with cancer but at the same time inadequately treated in many of these patients. The major reason for such imbalance is inappropriate pain assessment. To overcome such a barrier, the use of a valid and reliable pain assessment tool in the language the patient understands is invaluable. Unfortunately, until now, no such standardized tool has been utilized in Ethiopian patients with cancer for both clinical and research purposes. ⋯ The BPI-Am is a valid and reliable tool for use in Ethiopian patients with cancer. The inadequacy of cancer pain management in these groups of patients is high, which calls for needed attention.
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Pain is one of the most common symptoms in patients with cancer. The aim of this review is to summarize the most recent literature regarding tapentadol use in oncology patients and moderate or severe pain. ⋯ Tapentadol is seemingly an effective, well-tolerated alternative for moderate or severe cancer pain. Most prospective cohort studies have relatively small samples, are restricted to few research centers, and lack detailed subgroup information. More experience is required to draw valid generalizable conclusions.
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Case Reports
Ultrasound-Guided Diagnosis and Injection of the Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve with an Anatomical Variation.
Meralgia paresthetica (MP) is an entrapment neuropathy of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). There are many variations in the course of the LFCN. A 55-year-old woman presented with pain and tingling sensations on the anterolateral aspect of her left thigh. ⋯ In conclusion, the course of the LFCN is quite variable. We present a relatively rare anatomical variation of the LFCN, crossing lateral to the ASIS, diagnosed with ultrasonography. Ultrasonography can be performed to visualize the LFCN, especially a nerve with an anatomical variation.
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To determine the best regional pain score cutoff value that corresponds with patient-reported improvement in lumbosacral radiculopathy (LSR). ⋯ Region-specific pain cutoff ratings predicted clinical improvement for patients with LSR. Cutoff points using newly identified, smaller reductions of 1.75 points and 23.5% more accurately predicted clinical improvement for LSR than conventionally used cutoffs (2 points and 30%). LSR patients report meaningful clinical improvement with smaller reductions in pain compared to other chronic pain diagnoses, suggesting LSR patients may have different expectations.