Advances in radiofrequency ablation: mechanism of action and technology.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality that utilizes high-frequency alternating current to destroy targeted tissues through thermal ablation. This manuscript provides an overview of the advancements in RFA, focusing on its mechanism of action and technological innovations. RFA technology was first introduced in the early 1900's, and its use has expanded and evolved, especially in its current utility in the treatment of painful conditions. As the technology has evolved, new techniques, applications and modalities have expanded its use and improved its efficacy. RFA works by applying radiofrequency energy through specialized electrodes, leading to resistive heating and coagulation necrosis. Its advantages include precise tissue targeting, minimal invasiveness, reduced complications, and faster recovery compared to traditional surgical interventions. Technological advancements in RFA have led to improved treatment outcomes. Multi-electrode systems allow for larger ablation zones. Image-guided RFA improves treatment planning and minimizes damage to healthy tissues. Cooled-tip and perfusion electrodes address limitations such as heat sink effects, enhancing RFA's efficacy in challenging anatomical regions. These developments have expanded RFA's applications to liver tumors, lung tumors, renal tumors, cardiac arrhythmias, and chronic pain syndromes. In conclusion, RFA has emerged as a safe and effective thermal ablation technique. Understanding its mechanism of action and integrating advanced technologies have significantly enhanced treatment outcomes. Continued research and innovation in RFA hold immense potential for further improving patient care and outcomes.

Concepts and Approaches in the Management of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Patients.

The terms transgender and gender diverse (TGD) describe persons whose gender is different from the sex assigned to them at birth. While TGD persons have experienced a rise in cultural and social visibility in recent decades, they continue to experience significant health inequities, including adverse health outcomes and multiple barriers to accessing medical care. Transgender and gender-diverse persons are at a higher risk for pain conditions than their cisgender counterparts, but research on chronic pain management for TGD persons is lacking. Clinicians from all disciplines must be informed of best practices for managing chronic pain in the TGD population. This includes all aspects of care including history, physical examination, diagnosis, treatment, and perioperative management. Many TGD persons report delaying or avoiding care because of negative interactions with medical practitioners who do not have sufficient training in navigating the specific health care needs of TGD patients. Furthermore, TGD persons who do seek care are often forced to educate their practitioners on their specific health care needs. This paper provides an overview of existing knowledge and recommendations for physicians to provide culturally and medically appropriate care for TGD persons.

The Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC)®: Recommendations for Spinal Cord Stimulation Long-Term Outcome Optimization and Salvage Therapy.

INTRODUCTION: The International Neuromodulation Society (INS) has recognized a need to establish best practices for optimizing implantable devices and salvage when ideal outcomes are not realized. This group has established the Neurostimulation Appropriateness Consensus Committee (NACC)® to offer guidance on matters needed for both our members and the broader community of those affected by neuromodulation devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The executive committee of the INS nominated faculty for this NACC® publication on the basis of expertise, publications, and career work on the issue. In addition, the faculty was chosen in consideration of diversity and inclusion of different career paths and demographic categories. Once chosen, the faculty was asked to grade current evidence and along with expert opinion create consensus recommendations to address the lapses in information on this topic. RESULTS: The NACC® group established informative and authoritative recommendations on the salvage and optimization of care for those with indwelling devices. The recommendations are based on evidence and expert opinion and will be expected to evolve as new data are generated for each topic. CONCLUSIONS: NACC® guidance should be considered for any patient with less-than-optimal outcomes with a stimulation device implanted for treating chronic pain. Consideration should be given to these consensus points to salvage a potentially failed device before explant.

American Society of Pain and Neuroscience Best Practice (ASPN) Guideline for the Treatment of Sacroiliac Disorders.

Clinical management of sacroiliac disease has proven challenging from both diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives. Although it is widely regarded as a common source of low back pain, little consensus exists on the appropriate clinical management of sacroiliac joint pain and dysfunction. Understanding the biomechanics, innervation, and function of this complex load bearing joint is critical to formulating appropriate treatment algorithms for SI joint disorders. ASPN has developed this comprehensive practice guideline to serve as a foundational reference on the appropriate management of SI joint disorders utilizing the best available evidence and serve as a foundational guide for the treatment of adult patients in the United States and globally.

The Polyanalgesic Consensus Conference (PACC)®: Intrathecal Drug Delivery Guidance on Safety and Therapy Optimization When Treating Chronic Noncancer Pain.

INTRODUCTION: The International Neuromodulation Society convened a multispecialty group of physicians and scientists based on expertise with international representation to establish evidence-based guidance on intrathecal drug delivery in treating chronic pain. This Polyanalgesic Consensus Conference (PACC)® project, created more than two decades ago, intends to provide evidence-based guidance for important safety and efficacy issues surrounding intrathecal drug delivery and its impact on the practice of neuromodulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Authors were chosen on the basis of 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 PACC® last published guidelines) to the present. Identified studies were graded using the United States Preventive Services Task Force criteria for evidence and certainty of net benefit. Recommendations are based on the strength of evidence or consensus when evidence is scant. RESULTS: The PACC® 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 PACC® recommends best practices regarding intrathecal drug delivery to improve safety and efficacy. The evidence- and consensus-based recommendations should be used as a guide to assist decision-making when clinically appropriate.

A Systematic Guideline by the ASPN Workgroup on the Evidence, Education, and Treatment Algorithm for Painful Diabetic Neuropathy: SWEET.

Introduction: Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a leading cause of pain and disability globally with a lack of consensus on the appropriate treatment of those suffering from this condition. Recent advancements in both pharmacotherapy and interventional approaches have broadened the treatment options for PDN. There exists a need for a comprehensive guideline for the safe and effective treatment of patients suffering from PDN. Objective: The SWEET Guideline was developed to provide clinicians with the most comprehensive guideline for the safe and appropriate treatment of patients suffering from PDN. Methods: The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) identified an educational need for a comprehensive clinical guideline to provide evidence-based recommendations for PDN. A multidisciplinary group of international experts developed the SWEET guideline. The world literature in English was searched using Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, BioMed Central, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, Current Contents Connect, Meeting Abstracts, and Scopus to identify and compile the evidence for diabetic neuropathy pain treatments (per section as listed in the manuscript) for the treatment of pain. Manuscripts from 2000-present were included in the search process. Results: After a comprehensive review and analysis of the available evidence, the ASPN SWEET guideline was able to rate the literature and provide therapy grades for most available treatments for PDN utilizing the United States Preventive Services Task Force criteria. Conclusion: The ASPN SWEET Guideline represents the most comprehensive review of the available treatments for PDN and their appropriate and safe utilization.

Diabetic Neuropathy: Pathophysiology Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Diabetic neuropathy is a debilitating complication of diabetes mellitus that affects millions of individuals worldwide. It is characterized by nerve damage resulting from prolonged exposure to high blood glucose levels. Diabetic neuropathy may cause a range of symptoms, including pain, numbness, muscle weakness, autonomic dysfunction, and foot ulcers, potentially causing significant impairment to the quality of life for those affected. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy. The etiology of diabetic neuropathy will be discussed, including risk factors, predisposing conditions, and an overview of the complex interplay between hyperglycemia, metabolic dysregulation, and nerve damage. Additionally, we will explore the molecular mechanisms and pathways of diabetic neuropathy, including the impact of hyperglycemia on nerve function, abnormalities in glucose metabolism, the role of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and inflammatory and immune-mediated processes. We will provide an overview of the various nerve fibers affected by diabetic neuropathy and explore the common symptoms and complications associated with diabetic neuropathy in the pain medicine field. RECENT FINDINGS: This review highlights advances in understanding the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy as well as reviews potential novel therapeutic strategies and promising areas for future research. In conclusion, this review article aims to shed light on the pathophysiology of diabetic neuropathy, its far-reaching consequences, and the evolving strategies for prevention and management. In understanding the mechanisms of diabetic neuropathy and the ongoing research in this area, healthcare professionals can better serve patients with diabetes, ultimately improving well-being and reducing complications.

The Role of Orthoses in Chronic Axial Spinal Conditions.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Bracing represents a prevalent conservative, non-surgical approach used in the management of chronic spinal conditions such as spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis. A wide variety of orthoses are available to aid in addressing cervical, thoracic, lumbar, thoracic, and SI joint pain. In this review, we aim to comprehensively examine brace types with their current applications and implications of usage. RECENT FINDINGS: There are multiple cervical bracing options, such as soft and rigid collars, to assist in managing acute trauma and chronic degenerative conditions. The review highlights the nuanced decision-making process between hard and soft collars based on the severity of bone or ligamentous injury and neurological findings. Orthoses for low back pain are commonly used. The review highlights the challenges of chronic neck and lower back pain, emphasizing the importance of clinicians exploring all treatment strategies including braces which can improve function and reduce pain.

Accessibility and Ease of Use in Neuromodulation Devices.

BACKGROUND: The utilization of neuromodulation therapy continues to grow as therapeutic indications expand. These conditions often present with comorbid physical, visual, and auditory impairments. Patients with disabilities in these categories may have difficulty operating their devices. Thus, reviewing the accessibility and inclusive design of neuromodulation devices is imperative to ensure equal access for patients of all ability levels. To date, the literature provides little insight into this topic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Manufacturers of Food and Drug Administration-approved neuromodulation devices in the United States completed our electronic survey to assess neuromodulation device features, universal/inclusive design guidelines, and methods used to make the device accessible to patients with disabilities. RESULTS: We assessed 11 devices from seven manufacturers. Of those, there were six spinal cord, two peripheral nerve, and three deep brain stimulators. Of all respondents, 91% used universal inclusive design guidelines. Of the studied devices, 91% have an interface that uses visual feedback, and 82% have an interface that uses auditory feedback. All surveyed devices were reported to have an interface that requires physical handling. DISCUSSION: Our study found that most devices incorporate auditory signals, buttons with raised indentations, speech commands, or other useful features to assist those with visual disabilities. Visual interfaces may be sufficient for a patient with hearing impairment to use all the surveyed devices. However, dual sensory impairment presents a significant limitation in all devices surveyed. Furthermore, the biggest barrier to using neuromodulation devices was physical impairment because all surveyed devices require physical handling. CONCLUSIONS: Manufacturers have awareness of universal inclusive design principles. However, our study was unable to find a device that is accessible to all users regardless of ability. As such, it is critical to involve universal design principles to ensure that inclusive devices are available to improve patient adherence, treatment efficacy, and outcomes.

Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This literature review critically examines existing studies on cervical spinal cord stimulation (cSCS) for the treatment of chronic pain. The objective is to evaluate the current evidence, identify knowledge gaps, and collate data to inform clinical decision-making and suggest future research avenues. The review covers indications, contraindications, surgical and anesthetic approaches, trials, efficacy, and complications of cSCS. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent advancements highlight the evolving role of cSCS in chronic pain management. New neuromodulation techniques involve optimal placement of leads based on the pain's innervation level, maximizing therapeutic outcomes. Contemporary studies underscore the broadening benefits of cSCS, including enhanced functional abilities and sleep quality. However, alongside these innovations come challenges; emerging data bring attention to complications such as hardware issues and infections. Significantly, modern research emphasizes the crucial role of accurate patient selection, factoring in prior therapy responses and comprehensive evaluations. cSCS emerges as a promising tool for chronic pain management, with benefits beyond mere pain relief. As surgical techniques, patient selection criteria, and postoperative care refine, the potential of cSCS expands to benefit a broader patient demographic. However, further comprehensive research is necessary to enhance its application, validate its role earlier in treatment, and ultimately ameliorate the lives of those with chronic pain.

Medical Cannabis: A Review from the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience.

Cannabinoids have recently gained a renewed interest due to their potential applicability to various medical conditions, specifically the management of chronic pain conditions. Unlike many other medications, medical cannabis is not associated with serious adverse events, and no overdose deaths have been reported. However, both safety and efficacy data for medical cannabis treatment of chronic, nonmalignant pain conditions are lacking. Therefore, representatives from the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience summarize the evidence, according to level and grade, for medical cannabis treatment of several different pain conditions. Treatment of cancer-related pain has prospective evidentiary support for the use of medical cannabis. Although 3 large and well-designed randomized controlled trials investigated cannabis treatment of cancer-related pain, the evidence yielded only a grade D recommendation. Neuropathic pain has been investigated in prospective studies, but a lack of high-quality evidence renders cannabis treatment for this indication a grade C recommendation. Both safety and efficacy data are lacking for use of medical cannabis to treat chronic nonmalignant pain conditions.

Informed Consent for Spine Procedures: Best Practice Guideline from the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN).

Introduction: The evolution of treatment options for painful spinal disorders in diverse settings has produced a variety of approaches to patient care among clinicians from multiple professional backgrounds. The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) Best Practice group identified a need for a multidisciplinary guideline regarding appropriate and effective informed consent processes for spine procedures. Objective: The ASPN Informed Consent Guideline was developed to provide clinicians with a comprehensive evaluation of patient consent practices during the treatment of spine pathology. Methods: After a needs assessment, ASPN determined that best practice regarding proper informed consent for spinal procedures was needed and a process of selecting faculty was developed based on expertise, diversity, and knowledge of the subject matter. A comprehensive literature search was conducted and when appropriate, evidence grading was performed. Recommendations were based on evidence when available, and when limited, based on consensus opinion. Results: Following a comprehensive review and analysis of the available evidence, the ASPN Informed Consent Guideline group rated the literature to assist with specification of best practice regarding patient consent during the management of spine disorders. Conclusion: Careful attention to informed consent is critical in achieving an optimal outcome and properly educating patients. This process involves a discussion of risks, advantages, and alternatives to treatment. As the field of interventional pain and spine continues to grow, it is imperative that clinicians effectively educate patients and obtain comprehensive informed consent for invasive procedures. This consent should be tailored to the patient's specific needs to ensure an essential recognition of patient autonomy and reasonable expectations of treatment.

The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) Guidelines for Radiofrequency Ablative Procedures in Patients with Implanted Devices.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a treatment modality used in interventional pain management to treat several conditions including chronic neck or back pain, sacroiliac joint pain, major joint pain, and pain from sites that can be isolated to a sensory nerve amenable to RFA. The goals of such procedures are to reduce pain, improve function, delay need for surgical intervention, and reduce pain medication consumption. As applications for RFA expand through novel techniques and nerve targets, there is concern with how RFA may impact patients with implanted medical devices. Specifically, the electrical currents used in RFA produce electromagnetic interference, which can result in unintentional energy transfer to implanted devices. This may also interfere with device function or cause damage to the device itself. As the number of patients with implanted devices increases, it is imperative to establish guidelines for the management of implanted devices during RFA procedures. This review aims to establish guidelines to assist physicians in the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management of implanted devices in patients undergoing procedures using radiofrequency energy. Here, we provide physicians with background knowledge and a summary of current evidence to allow safe utilization of RFA treatment in patients with implanted devices such as cardiac implantable electronic devices, spinal cord stimulators, intrathecal pumps, and deep brain stimulators. While these guidelines are intended to be comprehensive, each patient should be assessed on an individual basis to optimize outcomes.

Mechanism of Action of Temporary Peripheral Nerve Stimulation.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) refers to the technique of utilizing electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves to inhibit the transmission of pain signals. PNS is used to treat chronic intractable pain and post-surgical or post-traumatic pain alongside a variety of other pain conditions, including headaches, facial pain, pelvic and urogenital pain, chest wall pain, residual limb or phantom limb pain, and back pain. RECENT FINDINGS: More recently, PNS has been used temporarily for periods of time less than 60 days to treat acute post-surgical pain. Peripheral nerve stimulation is believed to be effective due to its effects on both central and peripheral pathways. Centrally, it is proposed that the electrical pulses of PNS inhibit alpha-delta and C fibers, which decreases pain signaling in the higher centers of the central nervous system. Peripherally, gate theory is applied as it is theorized that PNS downregulates inflammatory mediators, endorphins, and neurotransmitters associated with pain signaling to decrease the transmission of efferent nociception and reduce pain sensations.

Pain Education and Knowledge (PEAK) Consensus Guidelines for Neuromodulation: A Proposal for Standardization in Fellowship and Training Programs.

The need to be competent in neuromodulation is and should be a prerequisite prior to completing a fellowship in interventional pain medicine. Unfortunately, many programs lack acceptable candidates for these advanced therapies, and fellows may not receive adequate exposure to neuromodulation procedures. The American Society of Pain and Neuroscience (ASPN) desires to create a consensus of experts to set a minimum standard of competence for neurostimulation procedures, including spinal cord stimulation (SCS), dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S), and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS). The executive board of ASPN accepted nominations for colleagues with excellence in the subject matter of neuromodulation and physician education. This diverse group used peer-reviewed literature and, based on grading of evidence and expert opinion, developed critical consensus guides for training that all accredited fellowship programs should adopt. For each consensus point, transparency and recusal were used to eliminate bias, and an author was nominated for evidence grading oversight and bias control. Pain Education and Knowledge (PEAK) Consensus Guidelines for Neuromodulation sets a standard for neuromodulation training in pain fellowship training programs. The consensus panel has determined several recommendations to improve care in the United States for patients undergoing neuromodulation. As neuromodulation training in the United States has evolved dramatically, these therapies have become ubiquitous in pain medicine. Unfortunately, fellowship programs and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) pain program requirements have not progressed training to match the demands of modern advancements. PEAK sets a new standard for fellowship training and presents thirteen practice areas vital for physician competence in neuromodulation.

Peripheral Nerve Stimulation of the Lesser Occipital and Greater Auricular Nerve for Post Herpetic Neuralgia in a Case of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome: Case Report.

Background: Post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a painful condition that presents after herpes zoster reactivation in the peripheral and central nervous system. When medical treatment fails, options are limited, and patients may suffer with chronic pain indefinitely. Case Presentation: We present the case of a gentleman with a 3-year history of PHN in the distribution of the right lesser occipital and greater auricular nerves that failed to respond to medical treatment. He underwent a trial of neuromodulation, and post-operative pain scores improved by 80%, and at 60 days post-operatively his average pain score was 0 out of 10. Conclusions: PNS is an effective and safe option for the treatment of chronic pain, and we present a report of successful treatment of PHN in a particularly difficult anatomic distribution. PNS of the lesser occipital and greater auricular nerves is a novel treatment for PHN and shows promise as an effective, safe therapy when other treatment fails.

Addressing Bias in Acute Postoperative Pain Management.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review evaluates disparities in acute postoperative pain management with regard to gender, race, socioeconomic status, age, and language. Strategies for addressing bias are also discussed. RECENT FINDINGS: Inequities in acute postoperative pain management may lead to longer hospital stays and adverse health outcomes. Recent literature suggests that there are disparities in acute pain management related to patient gender, race, and age. Interventions to address these disparities are reviewed but require further investigation. Recent literature highlights inequities in postoperative pain management, particularly in relation to gender, race, and age. There is a need for continued research in this area. Strategies such as implicit bias training and using culturally competent pain measurement scales may help reduce these disparities. Continued efforts by both providers and institutions to address and eliminate biases in postoperative pain management are needed to ensure better health outcomes.

Interventional Pain Physician Burnout During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Survey from the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The study sought to assess the prevalence of physician burnout among interventional pain physicians in 2022. RECENT FINDINGS: Physician burnout is major psychosocial and occupational health issue. Prior to the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, over 60% of physicians reported emotional exhaustion and burnout. Physician burnout was reported to become more prevalent in multiple medical specialties during the COVID-19 pandemic. An 18-question survey was distributed electronically to all ASPN members (n = 7809) in the summer of 2022 to assess demographics, burnout characteristics (e.g., Have you felt burned out due to COVID?), and strategies to cope with burnout and stress (e.g., reached out for mental health assistance). Members were able to complete the survey once and were unable to make changes to their responses once submitted. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the prevalence and severity of physician burnout within the ASPN community. Chi-square tests were used to examine differences in burnout by provider characteristics (age, gender, years practicing, and practice type) with p-values less than 0.05 indicating statistical significance. There were 7809 ASPN members that received the survey email, 164 of those members completed the survey, a response rate of 2.1%. The majority of respondents were male (74.1%, n = 120), 94% were attending physicians (n = 152), and 26% (n = 43) have been in practice for twenty years or longer. Most respondents expressed having experienced burnout during the COVID pandemic (73.5%, n = 119), 21.6% of the sample reported reduced hours and responsibilities during the pandemic, and 6.2% of surveyed physicians quit or retired due to burnout. Nearly half of responders reported negative impacts to their family and social lives as well as personal physical and mental health. A variety of negative (e.g., changes in diet, smoking/vaping) and positive coping strategies (e.g., exercise and training, spiritual enrichment) were employed in response to stress and burnout; 33.5% felt they should or had reached out for mental health assistance and suicidal ideations were expressed in 6.2% due to burnout. A high percentage of interventional pain physicians continue to experience mental symptoms that may lead to risk for significant issues going forward. Our findings should be interpreted with caution based on the low response rate. Evaluation of burnout should be incorporated into annual assessments given issues of survey fatigue and low survey response rates. Interventions and strategies to address burnout are warranted.