The Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC): Recommendations on Best Practices for Cervical Neurostimulation.

INTRODUCTION: The International Neuromodulation Society convened a multispecialty group of physicians based on expertise with international representation to establish evidence-based guidance on the use of neurostimulation in the cervical region to improve outcomes. This Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) project intends to provide evidence-based guidance for an often-overlooked area of neurostimulation practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Authors were chosen based upon their clinical expertise, familiarity with the peer-reviewed literature, research productivity, and contributions to the neuromodulation literature. Section leaders supervised literature searches of MEDLINE, BioMed Central, Current Contents Connect, Embase, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed from 2017 (when NACC last published guidelines) to the present. Identified studies were graded using the US Preventive Services Task Force criteria for evidence and certainty of net benefit. Recommendations are based on the strength of evidence or consensus when evidence was scant. RESULTS: The NACC examined the published literature and established evidence- and consensus-based recommendations to guide best practices. Additional guidance will occur as new evidence is developed in future iterations of this process. CONCLUSIONS: The NACC recommends best practices regarding the use of cervical neuromodulation to improve safety and efficacy. The evidence- and consensus-based recommendations should be utilized as a guide to assist decision making when clinically appropriate.

Disparities in Stage at Diagnosis in an Equal-access Integrated Delivery System: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 7244 Patients With Bladder Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Disparities in bladder cancer survival by race/ethnicity and gender are likely related to differences in diagnosis. We assessed disparities in stage at diagnosis and potential contributing factors within a large, integrated delivery system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 7244 patients with bladder cancer age ≥ 21 years diagnosed from January 2001 to June 2015 within Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Bivariate analyses compared stage at diagnosis - as well as comorbidities, health plan membership length, and health care utilization prior to diagnosis - by race/ethnicity, gender, and age. Multivariable generalized linear mixed models with urologist as a random effect were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for diagnosis of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) versus non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. RESULTS: In multivariable analyses, stage at diagnosis varied significantly by race/ethnicity (P < .001). Non-Hispanic black patients had significantly higher odds of being diagnosed with MIBC than non-Hispanic white patients (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.05-1.67), whereas Asian patients had significantly lower odds (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.49-0.91). Women were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with MIBC than men (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.22-1.61). Non-Hispanic black women had the highest proportion (39%) of MIBC diagnoses. Among Hispanic and Asian patients, a greater proportion of diagnoses occurred at younger ages. CONCLUSIONS: Health care coverage within an equal-access system did not eliminate disparities in stage at diagnosis by race/ethnicity or gender. Studies are needed to identify etiologic factors and aspects of care delivery (eg, patient-physician interactions) that may affect the diagnostic process to inform efforts to improve health equity.

Care Quality and Variability in the Use of Intravesical Therapy for Initial Treatment of Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Within a Large, Diverse Integrated Delivery System.

OBJECTIVES: To examine treatment variability, disparities, and quality among newly diagnosed nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients, and to identify factors associated with treatment use in a large, diverse integrated delivery system. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 5386 NMIBC patients diagnosed between January 2001 and June 2015 within Kaiser Permanente Southern California. Electronic health data were used to identify treatment outcomes and patient, provider, and tumor characteristics. Outcomes were use of (1) postoperative intravesical chemotherapy, (2) induction Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) immunotherapy, and (3) any intravesical therapy. Multivariable odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using generalized linear mixed models with a binary outcome and urologist as a random effect. RESULTS: From 2001 to 2015, 41% of newly diagnosed NMIBC patients were treated with intravesical therapy. Postoperative chemotherapy use increased significantly over this period (OR per-year = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.07-1.25). BCG use was strongly associated with tumor characteristics: patients with high-grade or carcinoma in situ tumors were more likely to receive BCG (OR = 10.10, 95% CI: 8.39-12.16). Few treatment differences were found by sex or race/ethnicity, but were observed by age. Wide treatment variability across urologists was observed, with some urologists never using intravesical therapy as part of initial treatment while others almost always used it. Differences across urologists accounted for more variability in postoperative chemotherapy (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.52) than BCG immunotherapy (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.11) use. CONCLUSION: Substantial variability in initial treatment of NMIBC was observed across urologists, accounting for tumor, patient, and provider characteristics. Results suggest a considerable opportunity for quality improvement programs to reduce unwanted treatment variability and improve care for patients.

Cannabis for Pain and Headaches: Primer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Marijuana has been used both medicinally and recreationally since ancient times and interest in its compounds for pain relief has increased in recent years. The identification of our own intrinsic, endocannabinoid system has laid the foundation for further research. RECENT FINDINGS: Synthetic cannabinoids are being developed and synthesized from the marijuana plant such as dronabinol and nabilone. The US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of dronabinol and nabilone for chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting and HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) wasting. Nabiximols is a cannabis extract that is approved for the treatment of spasticity and intractable pain in Canada and the UK. Further clinical trials are studying the effect of marijuana extracts for seizure disorders. Phytocannabinoids have been identified as key compounds involved in analgesia and anti-inflammatory effects. Other compounds found in cannabis such as flavonoids and terpenes are also being investigated as to their individual or synergistic effects. This article will review relevant literature regarding medical use of marijuana and cannabinoid pharmaceuticals with an emphasis on pain and headaches.

The appropriate use of neurostimulation of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous system for the treatment of chronic pain and ischemic diseases: the Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee.

INTRODUCTION: The Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) of the International Neuromodulation Society (INS) evaluated evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of neurostimulation to treat chronic pain, chronic critical limb ischemia, and refractory angina and recommended appropriate clinical applications. METHODS: The NACC used literature reviews, expert opinion, clinical experience, and individual research. Authors consulted the Practice Parameters for the Use of Spinal Cord Stimulation in the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain (2006), systematic reviews (1984 to 2013), and prospective and randomized controlled trials (2005 to 2013) identified through PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. RESULTS: Neurostimulation is relatively safe because of its minimally invasive and reversible characteristics. Comparison with medical management is difficult, as patients considered for neurostimulation have failed conservative management. Unlike alternative therapies, neurostimulation is not associated with medication-related side effects and has enduring effect. Device-related complications are not uncommon; however, the incidence is becoming less frequent as technology progresses and surgical skills improve. Randomized controlled studies support the efficacy of spinal cord stimulation in treating failed back surgery syndrome and complex regional pain syndrome. Similar studies of neurostimulation for peripheral neuropathic pain, postamputation pain, postherpetic neuralgia, and other causes of nerve injury are needed. International guidelines recommend spinal cord stimulation to treat refractory angina; other indications, such as congestive heart failure, are being investigated. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate neurostimulation is safe and effective in some chronic pain conditions. Technological refinements and clinical evidence will continue to expand its use. The NACC seeks to facilitate the efficacy and safety of neurostimulation.

The appropriate use of neurostimulation: avoidance and treatment of complications of neurostimulation therapies for the treatment of chronic pain. Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee.

INTRODUCTION: The International Neuromodulation Society (INS) has determined that there is a need for guidance regarding safety and risk reduction for implantable neurostimulation devices. The INS convened an international committee of experts in the field to explore the evidence and clinical experience regarding safety, risks, and steps to risk reduction to improve outcomes. METHODS: The Neuromodulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC) reviewed the world literature in English by searching MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar to evaluate the evidence for ways to reduce risks of neurostimulation therapies. This evidence, obtained from the relevant literature, and clinical experience obtained from the convened consensus panel were used to make final recommendations on improving safety and reducing risks. RESULTS: The NACC determined that the ability to reduce risk associated with the use of neurostimulation devices is a valuable goal and possible with best practice. The NACC has recommended several practice modifications that will lead to improved care. The NACC also sets out the minimum training standards necessary to become an implanting physician. CONCLUSIONS: The NACC has identified the possibility of improving patient care and safety through practice modification. We recommend that all implanting physicians review this guidance and consider adapting their practice accordingly.

Graphene barristor, a triode device with a gate-controlled Schottky barrier.

Despite several years of research into graphene electronics, sufficient on/off current ratio I(on)/I(off) in graphene transistors with conventional device structures has been impossible to obtain. We report on a three-terminal active device, a graphene variable-barrier "barristor" (GB), in which the key is an atomically sharp interface between graphene and hydrogenated silicon. Large modulation on the device current (on/off ratio of 10(5)) is achieved by adjusting the gate voltage to control the graphene-silicon Schottky barrier. The absence of Fermi-level pinning at the interface allows the barrier's height to be tuned to 0.2 electron volt by adjusting graphene's work function, which results in large shifts of diode threshold voltages. Fabricating GBs on respective 150-mm wafers and combining complementary p- and n-type GBs, we demonstrate inverter and half-adder logic circuits.

Interventional cancer pain therapies.

Interventional pain therapies play a critical role in palliation of severe cancer pain. Anesthesiologists specializing in cancer pain management have developed minimally invasive techniques to: (1) optimize pain control; (2) minimize side effects, adverse outcomes, and costs; (3) enhance functional abilities and physical and psychological well-being; and (4) enhance the quality of life for cancer patients. A thorough understanding of the pathophysiology of the cancer pain is needed to implement interventional therapies. It is also important to understand the prognosis of the patient, associated comorbidities, and expectations of the patient and family. Interventional pain therapies are minimally invasive techniques that can be divided into direct drug delivery, neuroablation and neural blockade, and neurostimulation.

Role of injection therapy: review of indications for trigger point injections, regional blocks, facet joint injections, and intra-articular injections.

Injection therapies play a major role in the management of various pain conditions. Some injections are relatively simple to perform whereas others are technically demanding with significant risk of mortality and morbidity. Traditional therapies such as intra-articular injections, regional blocks, and trigger-point injections continue to be redefined as we gain a better understanding into the pathophysiology of nociception, with a greater insight into regional anatomy using improved imaging capabilities. Injection therapies are becoming an integral part of the multidisciplinary therapies required to improve and rehabilitate pain patients. The necessity of clinical outcome assessments including functional-based outcomes and cost-effective analysis is becoming more important in the current medical reimbursement environment.