Effect of Conventional Spinal Cord Stimulation on Serum Protein Profile in Patients With Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) provides pain relief for most patients with persistent spinal pain syndrome type 2 (PSPS 2). Evidence is mounting on molecular changes induced by SCS as one of the mechanisms to explain pain improvement. We report the SCS effect on serum protein expression in vivo in patients with PSPS 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum proteins were identified and quantified using mass spectrometry. Proteins with significantly different expression among patients with PSPS 2 relative to controls, responders, and nonresponders to SCS, or significantly modulated by SCS relative to baseline, were identified. Those most correlated with the presence and time course of pain were selected using multivariate discriminant analysis. Bioinformatic tools were used to identify related biological processes. RESULTS: Thirty patients with PSPS 2, of whom 23 responded to SCS, were evaluated, together with 14 controls with no pain who also had undergone lumbar spinal surgery. A significant improvement in pain intensity, disability, and quality of life was recorded among responders. Five proteins differed significantly at baseline between patients with PSPS 2 and controls, with three proteins, mostly involved in immune processes and inflammation, being downregulated and two, mostly involved in vitamin metabolism, synaptic transmission, and restorative processes, being upregulated. In addition, four proteins, mostly related to immune processes and inflammation, decreased significantly, and three, mostly related to iron metabolism and containment of synaptic sprouting, increased significantly during SCS. CONCLUSION: This study identifies various biological processes that may underlie PSPS 2 pain and SCS therapeutic effects, including the modulation of neuroimmune response and inflammation, synaptic sprouting, vitamin and iron metabolism, and restorative processes.

Prospective, Randomized Blind Effect-on-Outcome Study of Conventional vs High-Frequency Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients with Pain and Disability Due to Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) show variable results and limited to moderate evidence. In the last years the stimulation of high frequency (HF) has been considered as a better alternative in this pathology for its supposed benefits compared to the stimulation with conventional frequency (CF). To compare in one year follow-up, the efficacy of high-frequency SCS (HF) versus conventional frequency SCS (CF) on the patients with FBSS. DESIGN: Prospective, Randomized blind trial. SETTING: Academic University Pain Medicine Center. SUBJECT: Seventy eight patients with FBSS diagnosis based on internationally recognized criteria, and refractory to conservative therapy for at least 6 months, have been initially recruited, and. METHODS: Sixty subjects met the eligibility criteria and were randomized and scheduled for the trial phase.The patients were randomly assigned in either, one of the two groups: CF SCS or HF SCS. Within the study methods, special attention was paid to standardizing patient programming, so that these parameters would not impact the results.The trial period was considered successful if there was ?50% reduction in the NRS from baseline. RESULTS: A total of 55 subjects successfully completed all assessments during one year follow-up. Change patterns in scores do not differ based on high versus conventional frequency, with significant global average reduction at 1 year similarly for both groups. Among all the items included in the Short Form-12 questionnaire (SF-12), only the variations in the social function score between the instants t1 and t2 are somewhat higher in the high frequency group. CONCLUSION: The evolutionary pattern of the different parameters studied in our patients with FBSS does not differ according to their treatment by spinal stimulation, with conventional or high frequency, in one year follow-up.

Vulvodynia--An Evidence-Based Literature Review and Proposed Treatment Algorithm.

OBJECTIVE: We searched the medical literature from the last 15 years (1998 to 2013) relating to the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of vulvodynia. The evidence was reviewed supporting the therapeutic proposals currently in use and propose the incorporation of novel, minimally invasive, interventional therapies, within the context of a multidisciplinary approach. METHODS: This was a systematic review of all relevant studies with no language restrictions. Studies were identified through Medline/PubMed (1998 to March 2013), the Cochrane Library (2001 to 2013), and conference records and book chapters. The keywords used included "chronic pelvic pain," "vulvodynia," "vestibulodynia," and search terms "etiology," "diagnosis," and "treatment" were added. The levels of evidence were assessed using grading system for "Therapy/Prevention/Etiology/Harm" developed by the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM). The grading system assists in clinical decision-making, and we decided to use "The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE)." RESULTS: A total of 391 papers were assessed. Of these, 215 were analyzed and 175 were excluded, as they pertained to areas not directly related to the disease under review. CONCLUSION: The optimal therapy for vulvar pain syndrome remains elusive, with low percentages of therapeutic success, using either local or systemic pharmacological approaches. Surgery involving invasive and often irreversible therapeutic procedures has resulted in success for certain subtypes of vulvodynia. We present a multidisciplinary approach whereby pain treatment units may provide an intermediate level of care between standard medical and surgical treatments.

Subcutaneous botulinum toxin for chronic post-thoracotomy pain.

OBJECTIVE: Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that has been widely used in chronic pain for the treatment of multiple conditions with a component of localized muscle spasm. Recent studies suggest that botulinum toxin is effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain syndromes such as post-herpetic neuralgia. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 67-year-old man who underwent atypical segmentectomy of a right lower lobe lung nodule. The patient was referred to our pain management department with a of 2-year history persistent pain along the thoracotomy scar having a predominantly neuropathic component, refractory to standard treatments. He was successfully treated with subcutaneous botulinum toxin type A. DISCUSSION: On the basics of our own experience and on the analysis of the reports published in the literature, fractioned subcutaneous injections of botulinum toxin may be useful for the treatment of various chronic localized pain conditions including chronic post-thoracotomy pain.

Intrathecal granuloma formation in a patient receiving long-term spinal infusion of tramadol.

OBJECTIVE: Intrathecal granuloma associated to the tip of subarachnoid catheters implanted in patients receiving long-term spinal infusion is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication. Its development seems to be related to the intrathecal administration of opioid drugs, although not all opioids induce granuloma formation with the same frequency. DESIGN: Morphine or hydromorphone-related granulomas have been reported extensively in the literature, but there are no data about any of the other opioids currently used in an off-label fashion when first-line drugs are contraindicated. SETTING AND PATIENTS: In this case, we report the first documented case of intrathecal granuloma formation in a patient receiving long-term spinal infusion of tramadol, and we put forward a hypothesis for its development. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Chronic intrathecal administration of high-dose tramadol could cause an inflammatory mass as it can be caused by similar, off-label infusions of morphine or hydromorphone. Additionally, tramadol stimulates the activity of natural killers and the proliferation of lymphocytes.

[Technical procedures for treating pain]. / Procedimientos técnicos en el tratamiento del dolor.

Nowadays, chronic pain treatment units are comprised by multidisciplinary work teams on which the contribution by each professional involved contributes to the team objective to handle and control pain. Out of all the forms of treatment and action plans developed for patients which deal with all the biological, psychological and social needs related to their experiences with chronic pain, in this article the authors concentrate exclusively on those technological and invasive procedures that are most frequently carried out by medical teams in chronic pain units. In this sense, nurses play an active participatory role in those procedures carried out, mainly in outpatient clinics where a patient is treated as an outpatient and nurses perform clinical services without the need of hospitalization.

Oral ketamine for the treatment of type I complex regional pain syndrome.

Ketamine has been shown to be effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain. We present a case of severe complex regional pain syndrome type 1 that was treated with oral ketamine. The response and tolerability of this preparation suggest that further study is warranted.

Subcutaneous and perineural botulinum toxin type a for neuropathic pain: a descriptive review.

OBJECTIVE: Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin that has been widely used in chronic pain for the treatment of multiple conditions with a component of localized muscle spasm. Recent studies suggest that botulinum toxin is effective in the treatment of neuropathic pain syndromes such as postherpetic neuralgia or painful scars. METHODS: We searched the PubMed and OvidSP databases. We also included cross-referencing bibliographies from primary and review articles. DISCUSSION: In this descriptive review, we evaluate the usefulness, safety, and potential pathophysiological mechanism of botulinum toxin type A for treatment of painful disorders with neuropathic component such as postherpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, or trigeminal neuralgia. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the analysis of the reports published in the literature, it would seem that fractioned peripheral subcutaneous and perineural injections of botulinum toxin type A may be useful for the treatment of various chronic pain conditions with neuropathic component.

Can an intrathecal, catheter-tip-associated inflammatory mass reoccur?

OBJECTIVES: Intrathecal granuloma associated to the tip of catheters implanted in patients receiving long-term spinal infusion to alleviate chronic pain is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication. Its formation seems to be related to the intrathecal administration of opioid drugs, although not all opioids induce granuloma formation with the same frequency. METHODS: In this clinical report, we describe an intrathecal granuloma that reoccur twice in the same patient after its surgical removal. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This case report highlights the incomplete knowledge about the mechanism of granuloma formation and discuss the alternatives in the management of catheter-tip granulomas. This is the first case report of a patient in whom an intrathecal granuloma reoccurred twice after initial surgical removal. We also present and discuss a potential management strategy to avoid further surgery and resume intrathecal therapy early.

Epidural Neurostimulation of Posterior Funiculi for the Treatment of Buerger's Disease.

Background. Buerger disease is a nonatherosclerotic, segmental, occlusive and recurrent inflammatory vascular disorder that affects small and medium-sized arteries and veins of the upper and lower extremities. Case reports. We report two cases of Buerger disease. Medical History. Smoking habit. No autoimmune diseases. No diabetes mellitus. Intermittent vascular claudication at 100-150 m. Several hospital admissions for amputations. Prior Medical Treatment. Antiplatelet agents, vasodilators, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, third-step analgesics, fibrinolytic treatment and lumbar sympathectomies. Following all of the above treatments, Synergy(®) spinal cord (ECP) stimulator with two electrodes (Quad PISCES(©) ) placed at the level of T9-T10. Results. There has been a reduction in pain of about 80% and an improvement of intermittent claudication (one of the patients no longer claudicates, whereas the other patient claudicates at 400 m). Conclusion. Neurostimulation of the posterior funiculi could be considered not only as palliative care but also as a therapeutic option.

Estimulación medular como tratamiento de la neuralgia postherpética resistente a terapia convencional / Spinal cord stimulation as treatment for post-herpes neuralgia refractory to conventional therapy

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Procedimientos técnicos en el tratamiento del dolor / Technical procedures for treating pain

Actualmente las unidades de tratamiento de dolor crónico están constituidas por equipos multidisciplinares de trabajo, donde la acción de cada uno de los profesionales implicados contribuye finalmente al manejo y control del dolor. De todas las actividades desarrolladas con los pacientes atendiendo sus necesidades biopsicosociales implicadas en su experiencia de dolor, en el artículo se exponen, exclusivamente, los procedimientos tecnológicos e invasivos que con más frecuencia se realizan en las unidades de tratamiento de dolor. En este sentido la actividad enfermera tiene una participación activa en los procedimientos que se realizan, fundamentalmente en el hospital de día donde el paciente es tratado de forma ambulatoria(AU)

Nowadays, chronic pain treatment units are comprised by multidisciplinary work teams on which the contribution by each professional involved contributes to the team objective to handle and control pain. Out of all the forms of treatment and action plans developed for patients which deal with all the biological, psychological and social needs related to their experiences with chronic pain, in this article the authors concentrate exclusively on those technological and invasive procedures that are most frequently carried out by medical teams in chronic pain units. In this sense, nurses play an active participatory role in those procedures carried out, mainly in outpatient clinics where a patient is treated as an outpatient and nurses perform clinical services without the need of hospitalization(AU)

Mielitis transversa aguda: tratamiento del dolor / No disponible

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Dolor irruptivo. Avances en su tratamiento: citrato de fentanilo oral transmucosa / Breakthrough pain. Advances in treatment: oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate

El dolor irruptivo o incidental es el síntoma más esperado y temido en pacientes con cáncer. El escaso tratamiento preventivo para el síntoma convierte las consultas a las unidades de urgencias en un hecho frecuente. El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en ampliar los conocimientos de enfermería sobre este tipo de tratamiento. Aprender a manejar opioides potentes (como el citrato de fentanilo) permite realizar una adecuada educación sanitaria sobre recomendaciones concretas para su uso. Actualmente el único fármaco diseñado específicamente para tratar el dolor irruptivo es el fentanilo oral transmucosa, de fácil y sencilla administración, importante rapidez de acción y con un buen perfil de seguridad. Como característica adicional, en las encuestas de satisfacción realizadas es el preferido por los pacientes como rescate habitual para las crisis álgidas. Su forma de administración sencilla e indolora, sumada a la rápida absorción, lo convierte en la analgesia con mayor efectividad en el control del dolor

Breakthrough or incidental pain is the most widely feared symptom in cancer patients. Because there is little preventive treatment for this symptom, it is a frequent cause of visits to emergency departments. The aim of this study was to increase nurses' knowledge of this type of treatment. Learning to manage potent opioids (such as fentanyl citrate) would allow nurses to provide health education to patients and their families on specific recommendations for their use. Currently, the only drug specifically design to treat breakthrough pain is oral transmucosal fentanyl, which is easily and simply administered, with fast onset of action and a good safety profile. As an additional characteristics, satisfaction surveys have demonstrated that oral transmucosal fentanyl is preferred by patients as routine rescue therapy for pain exacerbations. Because of its simple and painless administration and rapid absorption, this drug is the most effective analgesic in controlling pain

Tratamiento farmacológico del trastorno del sueño en la fibromialgia / No disponible

La fibromialgia es una patología crónica y compleja que provoca dolor muscular generalizado que puede llegar a ser invalidante, asociado a mal descanso nocturno y fatigabilidad, y que afecta a las esferas biológica, psicológica y social de los pacientes. Además su elevada prevalencia hace de ella un problema sanitario de primera magnitud. Dificultad añadida supone el que sus criterios diagnósticos únicamente sean clínicos y que su etiopatogenia todavía no haya sido aclarada, lo que dificulta aún más su estudio y por supuesto su abordaje terapéutico. Los múltiples síntomas que acompañan a esta enfermedad, su elevada incidencia y el desconocimiento de su etiología y tratamiento adecuados enfatizan la necesidad de un abordaje multidisciplinar, donde el equipo asistencial, incluido el farmacéutico, promoverá el uso racional de las medidas farmacológicas y fomentará aquellas medidas no farmacológicas que mejoren la calidad de vida del enfermo de fibromialgia (AU)

Fibromyalgia is a chronic and complex pathology that provokes muscular pain which may become invalidant, associated to a badly night rest and fatigue that affects the biological, psychological and social environment of the patients. Its high prevalence makes fibromyalgia a first magnitude sanitary problem. The fact that its diagnostic criteria be only clinical, and that its aetiopathogenesis has not yet been clarified, makes it difficult its study and therapeutical approach. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary because of the multiple symptoms, the high number of cases and the low knowledge of the etiology and the satisfactory treatment. The care team, including pharmacist, will promote the rational use of the pharmacological and the not pharmacological measures that improve de quality of life (AU)