Articles: chronic.
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Case Reports
Novel use of dual-lumen catheter for irrigation and drainage after evacuation of chronic subdural hematoma.
Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is an intracranial pathology most commonly affecting elderly patients. Patients may present with worsening headache, seizures, weakness, balance and gait problems, and memory deficits. Even in patients undergoing hematoma evacuation, there is a substantial risk for recurrence. The authors present the first use of an irrigating external ventricular drain in the United States in the perioperative management of a patient with cSDH treated with craniotomy (IRRAS, Stockholm, Sweden). ⋯ The use of an irrigating drain for perioperative management of cSDH is a novel means to prevent recurrence and warrants further exploration.
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Pain has well-established effects on attention. At present, parallel literatures exist that have examined the effects of experimentally induced pain and consider cognitive performance in patients with chronic pain states. However, no study to date as attempted to examine the combined or differing effects of these 2 manifestations of pain in a single study. ⋯ More research is needed to examine these mechanisms and how these negative effects can be ameliorated to treat cognitive symptoms in pain. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents a study to examine the effects of an acute, induced pain model on cognitive performance in both patients with fibromyalgia and healthy control populations. We established that the effects of acute and chronic pain on attention are different, suggesting that different models need to be developed to understand these phenomena.
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This study aimed to identify relationships between sensory function and pain in 3 common pain conditions (arthritis, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome [CRPS] and fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS]) and pain-free participants. Sensory abnormalities are known to be concomitant with some types of chronic pain but comparison across pain conditions using existing research is difficult due to methodological differences. Pragmatic Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) methods were used. ⋯ People with FMS and CRPS demonstrate extensive sensory dysfunction. Arthritis patients had sensory profiles closer to pain-free participants. LTT may provide a clinically relevant and accessible assessment for CRPS.