Articles: neuralgia.
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Neuropathic pain, a maladaptive and chronic condition that can develop after a lesion or disease affecting the somatosensory system, is characterized by allodynia, hyperalgesia and spontaneous pain, and comorbidities such as sleep deprivation, depression and anxiety. The activation of microglial cells in response to nerve injury has been implicated in the development of neuropathic pain. Mediators such as Neuregulin-1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, The chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and fractalkine are released after nerve injury and are involved in the activation of microglial cells. ⋯ It is becoming increasingly apparent that an intricate network of cytokines and cellular signalling mechanisms underpin the complex relationship between microglia and various cell types including neurones, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, mast cells and T-cells. Although the precise mechanism of action of microglial cells in producing neuropathic pain has not been completely elucidated, research into these different activating factors and cytokines is providing further insight into the role of microglial cells in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain. Further studies also are required to elucidate how "pain" mediators act on neurones and how the interactions between these mediators, or between neurones and glia in the presence of these mediators occur, in order to develop effective therapies for the management of neuropathic pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Safety and Efficacy of a Topical Sodium Channel Inhibitor (TV-45070) in Patients With Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN): A Randomized, Controlled, Proof-of-Concept, Crossover Study, With a Subgroup Analysis of the Nav1.7 R1150W Genotype.
The objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of TV-45070 ointment, as a treatment for postherpetic neuralgia, and to explore the response in patients with the Nav1.7 R1150W gain-of-function polymorphism. ⋯ The 50% responder analysis suggests a subpopulation may exist with a more marked analgesic response to TV-45070.The trend toward a larger proportion of responders within Nav1.7 R1150W carriers warrants further investigation.
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The styloid process arising from the temporal bone is normally about 2.5 cm in length. For various reasons, including trauma and inflammation, it may become elongated. This elongated styloid process, when symptomatic with clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of local compression or neuropathic pain, is termed Eagle syndrome. ⋯ Interventional and surgical options are pursued when these fail. Fluoroscopy is usually used to position the needle adjacent to the styloid process for injecting steroid and or local anesthetic. We describe a case of a 41-year-old woman with Eagle syndrome who failed conservative management and subsequently underwent an ultrasound-guided peristyloid steroid injection with short-duration pain relief.
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Clinical therapeutics · Apr 2017
Review Meta AnalysisCapsaicin 8% Patch Versus Oral Neuropathic Pain Medications for the Treatment of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Literature Review and Network Meta-analysis.
A network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed, aiming to assess the relative efficacy and tolerability of the capsaicin 179-mg (8% weight for weight) cutaneous patch (capsaicin 8% patch) compared with oral, centrally acting agents (ie, pregabalin, gabapentin, duloxetine, amitriptyline) in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN). ⋯ This NMA suggests that the efficacy observed with the capsaicin 8% patch is similar to that observed with oral agents (ie, pregabalin, duloxetine, gabapentin) in patients with PDPN. The oral agents were associated with a significantly elevated risk of somnolence, dizziness, fatigue, and discontinuation because of AEs compared with placebo. The capsaicin 8% patch was as effective as oral centrally acting agents in these patients with PDPN but offers systemic tolerability benefits.
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The aim of this study is to better understand perspectives of patients with persistent postoperative neuropathic pain (PPNP) and assess perceptions of the ethical issues surrounding their structural spinal surgeon also performing spinal cord stimulation (SCS). ⋯ This is the first clinical qualitative study of values and ethical perceptions of patients with medically refractory PPNP. Our findings provide a framework for understanding the values of patients with PPNP and demonstrate that a strong surgeon-patient relationship can ameliorate concerns surrounding PPNP and SCS implantation.