The EFFECT of CONVENTIONAL RADIOFREQUENCY THERMOCOAGULATION of FEMORAL and OBTURATOR NERVES' ARTICULAR BRANCHES on CHRONIC HIP PAIN: A prospective clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic hip pain is one of the most common and difficult-to-treat causes of disability. Our study's primary aim was to investigate the effects of ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided radiofrequency thermocoagulation of the femoral and obturator nerve articular branches on chronic hip pain, and the secondary aim was to determine its effects on hip function and quality of life. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with hip pain lasting more than three months were enrolled in the study. VPS scale and WOMAC, SF-12 questionnaires were applied to the patients before and in the first, third, and sixth months following the procedure. RESULTS: Of the patients, 60.4% were female, and 39.6% were male. Hip pain was caused by osteoarthritis in 77.1%, postoperative hip pain in 12.5%, malignancy in 8.3%, and avascular necrosis in 2.1%. The VPS scores were 8.9 ± 1.1 (mean±SD) in the baseline period, 2.4 ± 2.5 in the first postoperative week, 3.8 ± 2.5 in the first month, 5.1 ± 2.8 in the third month, and 5.8 ± 2.7 in the sixth month, with a significant decrease in VPS score (p < 0.001). One patient developed a motor deficit that improved spontaneously. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that radiofrequency thermocoagulation application to the articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerves provides pain relief, hip function improvement, and better quality of life (better physical component scores but no improvement in mental component scores in SF-12) for up to 6 months in chronic hip pain.

A comparison of the effects of thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block and erector spinae plane (ESP) block in postoperative acute pain in spinal surgery.

PURPOSE: Spinal surgeries are a very painful procedure. New regional techniques for postoperative pain management are being considered. The present study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that the ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block would lead to lower opioid consumption compared to the thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block after lumbar disk surgery. The study's primary objective was to compare postoperative total opioid consumption, and the secondary objective was to assess postoperative pain scores. METHODS: Sixty-eight patients who underwent elective lumbar disk surgery were randomly assigned to either the ESP block group or the TLIP block group. The current pain status of the patients in both the ESP and TLIP block groups was assessed using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at specific time intervals (30 min, 1, 6, 12 and 24 h) during the postoperative period. The number of times patients administered a bolus dose of patient-controlled analgesia, (PCA) within the first 24 h was recorded. RESULTS: In the ESP group, the total opioid consumption in terms of morphine equivalents was found to be significantly lower (ESP group: 7.7 ± 7.0; TLIP group: 13.0 ± 10.1; p < 0.05). The NRS scores were similar between the groups at 30 min, 1, 6, and 12 h, but at 24 h, they were significantly lower in the ESP group. Moreover, the groups had no significant difference regarding observed side effects. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the analgesic efficacy of both techniques, revealing that the ESP block provides more effective analgesia in patients undergoing lumbar disk surgery.

Comparison of radiological and clinical results of knee intra-articular injections with two ultrasonography-guided approach techniques: A randomized controlled study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological results of intra-articular injections performed with two different ultrasound-guided approaches in knee osteoarthritis. Patients and methods: The randomized controlled study was conducted on 80 knees of 40 patients (9 males, 31 females; mean age: 63.6±8.2 years; range, 46 to 78 years) with Grade 2-3 gonarthrosis that underwent ultrasound-guided intra-articular injections with suprapatellar (SP) or infrapatellar (IP) approaches between March 2020 and January 2021. After the injection, opaque material spread was fluoroscopically observed. Before the procedure and at the one and three months after the procedure, patients' Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores for pain and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores for functional recovery were recorded. Results: In both techniques, one- and three-month VAS and WOMAC scores were found to be significantly lower (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). Of the patients with positive opaque spread, 63.3% were in the IP technique group, and 36.7% were in the SP technique group (p=0.003). In 69.2% of those with radiologically positive opaque spread, the VAS score was significantly higher with >50% regression (p=0.04). In the IP technique, >50% regression rate of the VAS was 86.7% in patients with positive opaque spread, while VAS regression was significantly higher than those without opaque spread (p=0.02). Conclusion: Although the IP approach shows an early-positive opaque transition due to its proximity to the joint, both approach techniques are clinically effective under ultrasound guidance.

Efficacy of Combined Dorsal Root Ganglion Pulsed Radiofrequency and Cervical Epidural Steroid Injection on Radicular Neck Pain.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of combined transforaminal anterior epidural steroid injection (TAESI) and dorsal root ganglion pulsed radiofrequency (DRG-PRF) therapy on the radicular neck pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The results of 84 patients with cervical radicular pain who underwent combined DRG-PRF and TAESI under fluoroscopy were evaluated retrospectively. Primer outcome is the pain measurements of the patients before and after the procedure at the 1 < sup > st < /sup > , 3 < sup > rd < /sup > , and 6 < sup > th < /sup > months were evaluated with the Verbal Pain Scale (VPS). Our secondary outcome was the evaluation of patient satisfaction in the 1 < sup > st < /sup > , 3 < sup > rd < /sup > , and 6 < sup > th < /sup > months after the interventional treatment, and it was considered significant if it was evaluated as ?good? above 50%. RESULTS: We found statistically significant decrease in the pain scores of the patients in the 1 < sup > st < /sup > , 3 < sup > rd < /sup > , and 6 < sup > th < /sup > months compared to the pre-intervention (VPS 0) (p < 0.001). After the procedure, the patients expressed their satisfaction level as 69.1% at the 1 < sup > st < /sup > month, 71.5% at the 3 < sup > rd < /sup > month, and 72.6% at the 6th month as ?very good/good?. While the operation was mostly performed at the C5-6 level on both sides, it was seen that 61.9% of the operations were applied from the right side and 38.1% from the left side. No adverse effects or fatal neurological complications were observed. CONCLUSION: Although the efficacy and complications of cervical TAESI and DRG-PRF treatment are controversial in the literature, we think that this combined treatment can provide effective pain palliation in experienced hands with appropriate patient selection, considering the risk / benefit ratio.

Spinal cord stimulator for the treatment of ischemic pain-Burger's disease and Raynaud's disease: A report of two cases and literature review.

Ischemic pain is the main symptom of a group of diseases that result in inadequate blood flow to the extremities and ischemia. In this symptomatology, two major diseases are distinguished: Critical vascular disease and Raynaud's phenomenon. Critical vascular disease background of atherosclerosis caused by diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Raynaud phenomenon is divided into primary and secondary form. The primary form is due to vasospasm and there is no underlying cause. Secondary form is associated with underlying connective tissue or rheumatic diseases, peripheral vascular diseases such as thromboangitis obliterans (Burger's disease). Clinical findings in Raynaud's disease are vasomotor changes with cold exposure such as bruising, coldness, painful paresthesias, and ulcers due to chronic ischemia. Clinic presentation in critical ischemic disease is intermittent claudication for earlier stage and resting pain, gangrene, necrosis, and trophic changes were added in advanced stages. The treatment of the Raynaud 's disease in early stage is medical and conservative. In case of advanced stage ischemic vascular disease, medical treatment resistant pain, insufficient response to endovascular treatment, and inoperabl cases, interventions such as sympathectomy and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) can be applicable. SCS reduces vascular resistance through vasodilator mediators and increases blood flow. SCS also suppresses sympathetic vasoconstriction, increases tissue vascularity, reduces tissue damage, provides ulcer healing and pain reduction. In this report, we demonstrated that persistent Raynaud's disease and advanced stage Burger's disease were successfully treated with SCS.

Evaluation of the effectiveness duration of peripheral blocks applied with high concentration local anesthetic and steroid in trigeminal neuralgia.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness duration of the peripheral blocks applied with high concentration local anesthetic and steroid in trigeminal neuralgia. METHODS: The data of 48 patients (nine patients received medical treatment and 39 patients underwent interventional procedure for peripheral block and Gasser ganglion radiofrequency thermocoagulation [RFT]) were analyzed retrospectively. The medications used by patients, pre-operative and post-operative visual analog scale scores who underwent interventional procedures, and duration for effectiveness of the procedure were evaluated with 36 months follow-up. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients (32 females and 16 males) who were treated with primary and secondary etiologies were evaluated. Three patients V1, 12 patients V2, 25 patients V3, and eight patients V2+V3 trigeminal nerve branches described appropriate clinical symptoms. Only peripheral block was applied to 31 patients and Gasser ganglion RFT was applied to eight patients after peripheral block. In 24 patients who underwent peripheral block, pain severity reduction was ≥50%, mean effectiveness duration of peripheral block was 7.5 months. The eight patients undergoing Gasser ganglion RFT had ≥50% pain intensity reduction, mean effectiveness duration of Gasser ganglion RFT was 22.7 months (p=0.002). While one patient had hypoesthesia in the palate after RFT, no serious side effects were recorded. CONCLUSION: The duration of pain control for peripheral branch blocks in trigeminal neuralgia is not as long as RFT, but it is a relatively less invasive and less complicated interventional technique with good efficacy duration due to neurotoxicity of the used high concentrated local anesthetic.

Facet Median Branch Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation Treatment at Different Temperatures and Durations in Patients with Lumbar Facet Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Double-Blind Study.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of various temperatures and durations of radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) for the treatment of low back pain that is caused by facet joints. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a randomized controlled, double-blind study. Patients diagnosed with facet syndrome were randomly divided into three groups. RFT was applied to the medial branches, which received senses from the facet joint 90°C 50 seconds in 31 patients, 85°C 60 seconds in 32 patients, 70°C 90 seconds in 33 patients at constant current and impedance values. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores before and after the treatment (1 and 6 months), the need for additional analgesics after treatment, and opioid dose changes were recorded. RESULTS: The demographic data of the groups were similar. NRS scores in all three groups were significantly lower at 1 and 6 months (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). At the first and sixth months, there was no significant difference between the groups in patients who experienced a 50% reduction in pain intensity (p=0.1, p=0.7, respectively). Patients who had back surgery had a significantly lower rate of pain regression (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with lumbar facet syndrome, RFT application in every 3 degrees and seconds is effective because it generates equal energy, and there was no significant difference in pain relief between the groups.

Stellat ganglion blockage in the treatment of chronic refractory angina pectoris.

In addition to medical approaches, laser revascularization, transmyocardial laser revascularization, angiogenesis, growth factor gene therapy, thoracic epidural anesthesia, and spinal cord simulation are used to treat chronic refractory angina pectoris. A unilateral left stellate ganglion block is another alternative. It may particularly be considered as a palliative intervention in patients with a short life span. Described here is the case of a 66-year-old male patient for whom a unilateral left stellate ganglion blockade was used to treat chronic refractory angina pectoris.

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome after caudal epidural steroid injection: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Caudal epidural injections are easy, effective, and safe methods and are good options for patients with low back pain and radicular lower extremity pain. Although various complications related to the technique of the procedure or the drugs used in the procedure have been described, Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES) has not yet been defined for this intervention. CASE: In this case report, we describe a case of PRES, which we supported with MRI findings in our patient who developed convulsions, changes in consciousness, and vision loss after being administered with caudal epidural steroid, and whose imaging findings regressed with the regression of clinical symptoms during the treatment process. CONCLUSION: Although PRES is rarely reported, it should be kept in mind that it is a complication that can develop after caudal epidural steroid injection.

Intravascular escape during lumbar transforaminal anterior epidural steroid injection: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Demonstrate of accidental intravascular injection during lumbar transforaminal anterior epidural steroid injection (TAESI) performed with three-dimensional imaging angiography (3DIA) and fluoroscopy. METHODS: We assessed 20 (9 males and 11 females) patients (with a total of 40 levels) whose images were received with simultaneously 3DIA and fluoroscopy-guided TAESI between January 2016 and September 2016 as retrospective. Injections were carried out in the lumbar fourth intervertebral space bilaterally and performed in the same way all of the cases. RESULTS: The mean age and body mass index of the patients were 47.9±2.72 years and 26.95±1.21, respectively. There were 10 patients with disc herniation, seven patients with spinal stenosis, and three patients with failed back surgery syndrome. In 3D imaging, vascular escape was detected in the 7 levels (17.5%) which were thought to be no escape in the fluoroscopy imaging. CONCLUSION: In chronic lumbar radiculopathy patients, intravascular escapes may occur during the fluoroscopic TAESI procedure. To avoid intravascular injections during TAESI procedure, it may be appropriate to use different imaging methods that can give more detailed results such as 3D angiography.

[A retrospective investigation of the efficiency of transforaminal anterior epidural steroid injections in patients with low back pain and the effects of interventional pain therapy on quality of life]. / Bel agrili hastalarda transforaminal anterior epidural steroid enjeksiyonunun etkinliginin ve girisimsel tedavinin yasam kalitesine etkisinin retrospektif arastirilmasi.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of transforaminal anterior epidural steroid and local anesthetic injections (TAESE) and the effects on quality of life in patients with low back pain. METHODS: The study patients (n=191) were divided into 3 groups: disc herniation (DH), failed back surgery (FBS), and spinal stenosis (SS). A visual analog scale (VAS) and verbal pain scale (VPS) were used to assess patient pain. Scores were measured before treatment (VAS 0), in the first month of application (VAS 1), 3 months (VAS 3), and 6 months (VAS 6). Patient quality of life was examined using the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: In all 3 groups, there was a statistically significant reduction in pain compared with the VAS 0 score at 1, 3, and 6 months (p<0.001). The reduction in VAS/VPS was greatest in the DH group, followed by the FBS and SS groups, respectively. All of the parameters of the SF-36 measurement were lower in the SS patients compared with the DH patients. The quality of life score was lowest in the SS patients, though the physical health and social functioning scores were lowest in the FBS group. CONCLUSION: TAESE is effective and can be safely performed in patients who have low back pain due to DH, FBS, or SS. The quality of life result was less successful in SS patients, particularly in the parameter of physical role limitations.

Effectiveness of Pregabalin for Treatment of Burning Mouth Syndrome.

Treatment of burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is challenging because there is no consensus regarding pharmalogical or nonpharmalogical therapies. The use of anticonvulsants is controversial. We present nine patients BMS who respond to pregabalin. They were diagnosed secondary BMS except two. Etiologic regulations were made firstly in patients with secondary BMS but symptoms did not decrease. We preferred pregabalin in all patients and got good results. Furthermore the addition of pregabalin to the treatment of two patients who did not respond adequately to duloxetine provided good results. We are only aware that pregabalin may reduce symptoms as a result of case reports. We believe that the diagnosis of pathologic etiology with appropriate diagnostic tests will result in better outcomes in treatment.

The influence of the menstrual cycle on acute and persistent pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy / A influência do ciclo menstrual na dor aguda e persistente após colecistectomia laparoscópica

Abstract Background and objectives: Fluctuations of female sex hormones during menstrual cycle influence pain perception. Endogenous pain inhibition is impaired in follicular phase of menstrual cycle. We tested the primary hypothesis that the women having surgery during their follicular phase have more acute pain and require higher opioids than those in the luteal phase, and secondarily we tested that women who have surgery during their follicular phase have more incisional pain at 3 month postoperatively. Methods: 127 adult females having laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to have surgery during the luteal or follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. Standardized anesthesia and pain management regimen was given to all patients. Pain and analgesic consumption were evaluated in post-anesthesia care unit and every 4 h in the first 24 h. Adverse effects were questioned every 4 h. Time to oral intake and ambulation were recorded. Post-surgical pain, hospital anxiety, depression scale, SF-12 questionnaire were evaluated at 1 and 3 month visits. Results: There was no difference in acute pain scores and analgesic consumption through the 24 h period, Visual Analog Scale at 24 h was 1.5 ± 1.5 cm for follicular group 1.4 ± 1.7 cm for luteal group (p = 0.57). Persistent postoperative pain was significantly more common one and at three month, with an incidence was 33% and 32% in the patients at follicular phase versus 16% and 12% at luteal phase, respectively. The Visual Analog Scale at one and at three month was 1.6 ± 0.7 cm and 1.8 ± 0.8 cm for follicular group and 2.7 ± 1.3 cm and 2.9 ± 1.7 cm in the luteal group (p = 0.02), respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to anxiety and depression, SF-12 scores at either time. Nausea was more common in follicular-phase group (p = 0.01) and oral feeding time was shorter in follicular phase (5.9 ± 0.9 h) than in luteal phase (6.8 ± 1.9 h, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Although persistent postoperative pain was significantly more common one and three months after surgery the magnitude of the pain was low. Our results do not support scheduling operations to target particular phases of the menstrual cycle.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos: As flutuações dos hormônios sexuais femininos durante o ciclo menstrual influenciam a percepção da dor. A inibição endógena da dor é prejudicada na fase folicular do ciclo menstrual. Testamos a hipótese primária de que cirurgias em mulheres durante a fase folicular têm mais dor aguda e precisam de mais opioide do que aquelas na fase lútea e a hipótese secundária testada foi que as cirurgias em mulheres durante a fase folicular têm mais dor incisional aos três meses de pós-operatório. Métodos: No total, 127 mulheres adultas submetidas à colecistectomia laparoscópica foram randomizadas para serem operadas durante a fase lútea ou folicular de seus ciclos menstruais. Um regime padronizado para anestesia e tratamento da dor foi administrado a todas as pacientes. A dor e o consumo de analgésico foram avaliados na sala de recuperação pós-anestésica e a cada quatro horas nas primeiras 24 horas. Efeitos adversos foram avaliados a cada quatro horas. Os tempo para ingestão oral e deambulação foram registrados. Dor pós-cirúrgica, ansiedade hospitalar, escala de depressão e questionário SF-12 foram avaliados em visitas feitas no primeiro e terceiro meses. Resultados: Não houve diferença nos escores de dor aguda e no consumo de analgésicos durante o período de 24 horas, Escala Visual Analógica em 24 horas foi de 1,5 ± 1,5 cm para o grupo folicular e 1,4 ± 1,7 cm para o grupo lúteo (p = 0,57). A dor persistente no pós-operatório foi significativamente mais prevalente no primeiro e terceiro mês, com incidência de 33% e 32% nas pacientes em fase folicular versus 16% e 12% na fase lútea, respectivamente. A Escala Visual Analógica no primeiro e terceiro mês foi 1,6 ± 0,7 cm e 1,8 ± 0,8 cm no grupo folicular e 2,7 ± 1,3 cm e 2,9 ± 1,7 cm no grupo lúteo (p = 0,02), respectivamente. Não houve diferença significativa entre os grupos em relação à ansiedade e à depressão, escore SF-12 em ambos os tempos. Náusea foi mais comum no grupo na fase folicular (p = 0,01) e o tempo para alimentação oral foi menor na fase folicular (5,9 ± 0,9 horas) do que na fase lútea (6,8 ± 1,9 horas, p = 0,02). Conclusões: Embora a dor persistente no pós-operatório tenha sido significativamente mais prevalente no primeiro e no terceiro mês após a cirurgia, a magnitude da dor foi baixa. Nossos resultados não apoiam o agendamento de cirurgias tendo como alvo fases específicas do ciclo menstrual.

[The influence of the menstrual cycle on acute and persistent pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / A influência do ciclo menstrual na dor aguda e persistente após colecistectomia laparoscópica.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fluctuations of female sex hormones during menstrual cycle influence pain perception. Endogenous pain inhibition is impaired in follicular phase of menstrual cycle. We tested the primary hypothesis that the women having surgery during their follicular phase have more acute pain and require higher opioids than those in the luteal phase, and secondarily we tested that women who have surgery during their follicular phase have more incisional pain at 3 month postoperatively. METHODS: 127 adult females having laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to have surgery during the luteal or follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. Standardized anesthesia and pain management regimen was given to all patients. Pain and analgesic consumption were evaluated in post-anesthesia care unit and every 4h in the first 24h. Adverse effects were questioned every 4h. Time to oral intake and ambulation were recorded. Post-surgical pain, hospital anxiety, depression scale, SF-12 questionnaire were evaluated at 1 and 3 month visits. RESULTS: There was no difference in acute pain scores and analgesic consumption through the 24h period, Visual Analog Scale at 24h was 1.5±1.5cm for follicular group 1.4±1.7cm for luteal group (p=0.57). Persistent postoperative pain was significantly more common one and at three month, with an incidence was 33% and 32% in the patients at follicular phase versus 16% and 12% at luteal phase, respectively. The Visual Analog Scale at one and at three month was 1.6±0.7cm and 1.8±0.8cm for follicular group and 2.7±1.3cm and 2.9±1.7cm in the luteal group (p=0.02), respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to anxiety and depression, SF-12 scores at either time. Nausea was more common in follicular-phase group (p=0.01) and oral feeding time was shorter in follicular phase (5.9±0.9h) than in luteal phase (6.8±1.9h, p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Although persistent postoperative pain was significantly more common one and three months after surgery the magnitude of the pain was low. Our results do not support scheduling operations to target particular phases of the menstrual cycle.

Which imaging method should be used for genicular nerve radio frequency thermocoagulation in chronic knee osteoarthritis?

This study aimed to perform genicular nerve RF neurotomy using two different imaging methods, fluoroscopy and ultrasound, and to compare the clinical effects and reliability of the two methods. Fifty patients with osteoarthritis were included in this study. Patients were randomly allocated into group 1 (fluoroscopy imaging) and group 2 (ultrasound imaging). Outcomes were measured using a pain scale (visual analog scale; VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Index of Osteoarthritis. The application time in the ultrasound group (20.2 ± 6.4 min) was shorter than in the fluoroscopy group (25 ± 4.8 min) (p < 0.05). There was no difference in pain relief and functional status between the ultrasound and fluoroscopy groups. Decrease in VAS score and WOMAC total score in the first and third months was significant in both groups (p < 0.001). GNRFT under ultrasound guidance was easily applicable, safe and dynamic, and required no radiation to achieve the same benefit as the fluoroscopy-guided interventions.

Effect of statin use on pain relief by transforaminal epidural steroid injection.

AIM: To investigate the impact of statin use on response to fluoroscopy-assisted transforaminal anterior epidural steroid injection (TAESI). METHODS: Patients undergoing TAESI for low back pain were recruited and stratified according to statin use. Pain was evaluated with a visual analogue scale (VAS) before and at 1, 3, and 6 months after TAESI. Health-related quality-of-life was evaluated using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire 6 months after TAESI. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in VAS scores after TAESI between statin users (n = 40) and statin nonusers (n = 253). The SF-36 subgroup: role limitations due to emotional problems score was significantly lower in statin users than statin nonusers. There were no significant between-group differences in any other SF-36 parameter. CONCLUSION: Statin use had no effect on pain scores after TAESI.

Effect of transforaminal anterior epidural steroid injection on neuropathic pain, quality of sleep and life.

OBJECTIVES: Transforaminal anterior steroid injections are frequently used for low back pain. In the current study, It was aimed to investigate the effects of transforaminal anterior epidural steroid injection (TAESI) in patients with low back pain in regards to quality of life and sleep, and neuropathic pain. METHODS: Ethics committee approval and patient consent were obtained. Patients with low back pain scheduled to receive transforaminal epidural steroid injections between October 2011 and October 2012 were included into the study. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Short form 12 (SF 12), DN4 tests and Visual Analog Scale Score (VAS) were measured prior to procedure and three months later. All the tests were compared with baseline evaluations prior to injections. RESULTS: One hundred and two (female/male: 52/50) patients with a mean age of 53.3 ± 1.4 were included. Primary diagnoses were lumbar disc herniation in eighty-seven patients, spinal stenosis in seven and failed back surgery syndrome in eight patients. Statistically significant improvement was seen in the total VAS, DN4 and PSQI scores (p=0.0001) of the patients at the third month follow-up. Sleep duration (p=0.0001), habitual sleep efficiency (p=0.0001), subjective sleep quality (p=0.003), sleep latency (p=0.014), sleep disturbances (p<0.001), sleep medication use (p=0.003), and day time dysfunction (p=0.015) showed a significant decrease in sub-components. There was no significant difference in SF 12 quality of life. CONCLUSION: It was determined in the study that transforaminal epidural steroid injection provided a substantial improvement in patients' pain and neuropathic pain and quality of sleep, but had no effect on the quality of life.

[Complication belong to stellate ganglion blockade after cervical trauma]. / Boyun travmasi sonrasi yapilan stellat ganglion blokajina bagli komplikasyon.

Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is one of the most often used sympathetic blockade procedure. Despite performed by experienced physicians some complications may occur. The right brachial plexus injury was diagnosed in the patient who admitted to orthopedia clinic, with weakness in the right arm, and pain after motor vehicle accident. There was no response to medical treatment of fortyfour-years-old female patient and there was loosing of sensation from dis the right elbow joint to fingers on the radial and median nerve tracing. In the electromyelography; C5-T1 root avulsion, and MRI; Patient was evaluated as CPRS I (Complex regional pain syndrome) phase 1. In spite of medical treatment, SGB was performed. Respiratory arrest occurred 4-5 minutes after injection. Patient was breated with mechanical ventilator during 2 hours, and discharged 24 hours later with normal vital functions. One year later, the patient admitted the algology polyclinic with strong pain in the same area. Stellate ganglion Radyofreguency (RF) was planned. The first RF cannula was placed under fluoroscopy. Cerebrospinal fluid was seen in the second canula, and canula was withdrawn. Third cannula was placed in another region, and conventional RF was performed through two canuls. For anatomical structure defect, we planned cervical MR myelography. In the cervical MR myelography, traumatic pseudomeningocele was observed at the level of C6-T1 on the brachial plexus. Intraspinal block was thought to develop during blockade of stellate ganglion due to this.

The antinociceptive effects of systemic administration of tramadol, gabapentin and their combination on mice model of acute pain.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible antinociceptive effects of systemic administration of tramadol and gabapentin either alone or in combination on acute pain models in mice. METHODS: After obtaining the approval of Animal Ethics Committee; 96 BALB/c albino male mice were divided into 12 groups: (I) control without injection, (II) control treated with saline, (III)-(IV) mice treated with tramadol 10 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg, (V)-(VIII) mice treated with gabapentin; 30, 100, 200, 300 mg/kg respectively. In order to determine possible interactions between tramadol gabapentin and; mice received four different combinations of tramadol + gabapentin (30+30, 30+100, 30+200 and 30+300 mg/kg) (Groups IX-XII respectively). Mice received 0.1 ml solution for every 10 g of their weight. The drug was injected into peritonea. Thirty minutes after the drug injection, tail-flick and hot-plate tests were conducted. RESULTS: Ten and 30 mg/kg tramadol produced dose dependent antinociceptive effect in tail-flick and hot plate tests. Gabapentin had no antinociceptive effect in the tail flick test except 300 mg/kg dose, and had dose dependent antinociceptive effect in hot-plate test. In both tests, various combinations of tramadol and gabapentin produced an antinociceptive effect that is greater than that produced by tramadol and gabapentin alone. But, just 30 mg/kg tramadol + 300 mg/kg gabapentin combination caused statistically significant increase in both tests (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: When gabapentin and tramadol were used in combination, gabapentin had no additive antinociceptive effect except for 300 mg/kg in tail-flick and hot-plate tests. Tail-flick test showed that tramadol produced better antinociceptive effect than gabapentin.

[Risk factors associated with lower back pain in the Polyclinic of Algology]. / Algoloji poliklinigine basvuran bel agrili hastalarin risk faktörleri.

OBJECTIVES: To study the risk factors associated with lower back pain such as age, gender, marital status, occupation, education level, smoking and alcohol consumption among patients who presented to the Algology Polyclinic. METHODS: The patients' age, gender, occupation, marital status, education, economic level, smoking and alcohol consumption were evaluated and recorded on a "Pain Assessment Form". The highest level of education level was asked and when economic level was questioned, the answers of patients were considered without restricrion between limits. RESULTS: Out of 772 patients, 200 had mechanical lower back pain. 23.5% had hernia nucleous pulposus, 20% had facet joint degeneration, 18.5% had a narrow spinal channel, 7.5% had sakroiliac joint degeneration, 20.1% had more than one pathology, and 10.5% had other pathologies. Lower back pain did not differ according to age and gender. Students had significantly lower pain, whereas workers had significantly higher lower back pain (p=0.005). Of the patients with lower back pain, 170 of them were married and 30 were widowed or single (p=0.059). With higher education, pain was significantly decreased (p=0.001). More pain was reported among individuals with low socioeconomic level (p=0.042). There was a correlation between lower back pain and smoking (p=0030), but there was no correlation between lower back pain and alcohol consumption (p=0.638). CONCLUSION: Lower education, lower economic level, labor intensive jobs and smoking were correlated with lower back pain. It was concluded that by taking precautions that lower risk factors, incidence of lower back pain can be decreased.