A Review of Endoscopic Spine Surgery: Decompression for Radiculopathy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewWith this manuscript the authors sought to write a succinct review of the origins, as well as the latest advancements in endoscopic spine surgery to serve as a reference frame for physicians looking to learn this approach.Recent FindingsAt its infancy, the indications for posterolateral and transforaminal endoscopic decompression remained narrow, which prevented the procedure from gaining rapid traction during those days. However, more recently the tides have turned and an increasing number of surgeons are starting to adopt this technique given all its advantages. With the advent of higher quality ...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - February 5, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Trigeminal Traumatic Neuroma: a Comprehensive Review of the Literature Based On a Rare Case
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTraumatic neuromas in general, and trigeminal traumatic neuromas in particular, are relatively rare entities originating from a damage to a corresponding nerve or its branches. This manuscript is a comprehensive review of the literature on trigeminal traumatic neuromas based on an interesting and challenging case of bilateral intraoral lesions.Recent FindingsThe diagnosis for this patient was bilateral trigeminal traumatic neuromas. It is possible that these patients have a genetic predisposition to the development of these lesions. It is a neuropathic pain condition and may mimic dental and other ...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - February 4, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Dorsal Column Stimulation and Cannabinoids in the Treatment of Chronic Nociceptive and Neuropathic Pain: a Review of the Clinical and Pre-clinical Data
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe main objective of this review is to appraise the literature on the role of spinal cord stimulation (SCS), cannabinoid therapy, as well as SCS and cannabinoid combination therapy for the management of chronic neuropathic and nociceptive pain. Current research suggests that SCS reduces pain and increases functional status in carefully selected patients with minimal side effects.Recent FindingsAs cannabinoid-based medications become a topic of increasing interest in pain management, data remains limited regarding the clinical efficacy of cannabinoids for pain relief. Furthermore, from a mechanisti...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - February 4, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Analgesia for Gynecologic Oncologic Surgeries: A Narrative Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewGynecologic oncologic malignancies are amongst the most common cancers affecting women across the world. This narrative review focuses on the current state of evidence around optimal perioperative pain management of patients undergoing surgeries for gynecologic malignancies with a specific focus on cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).Recent FindingsRecent improvements in postoperative pain management following all types of gynecologic procedures, including minimally invasive, open-abdominal, or CRS + HIPEC, have been implemented through enhanced re...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - February 3, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Psychological Interventions for Pediatric Headache Disorders: A 2021 Update on Research Progress and Needs
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes key findings from recent investigations of psychological interventions for pediatric headache disorders and discusses important avenues for future research.Recent FindingsCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is effective in reducing headache days among youth with chronic headache. There is mixed evidence for the benefit of CBT on reducing disability associated with migraine, suggesting that there is room to optimize CBT by leveraging complementary or alternative psychological interventions, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based approaches. Tailor...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - February 2, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Chest Wall Nerve Blocks for Cardiothoracic, Breast Surgery, and Rib-Related Pain
AbstractPurpose of ReviewPerioperative analgesia in patients undergoing chest wall procedures such as cardiothoracic and breast surgeries or analgesia for rib fracture trauma can be challenging due to several factors: the procedures are more invasive, the chest wall innervation is complex, and the patient population may have multiple comorbidities increasing their susceptibility to the well-defined pain and opioid-related side effects. These procedures also carry a higher risk of persistent pain after surgery and chronic opioid use making the analgesia goals even more important.Recent FindingsWith advances in ultrasonograp...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - January 28, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Regional Anesthesia Techniques for Pain Management for Laparoscopic Surgery: a Review of the Current Literature
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe field of regional anesthesia has evolved tremendously in the last 15 years. New anesthesia protocols for ambulatory surgery and enhanced recovery after surgery have been developed as well. The focus of these techniques and protocols has centered on patient satisfaction and pain control while minimizing the use of opioids. The field of ambulatory surgery and anesthe sia continues to evolve, and regional anesthesia and its plane techniques are at the center of these changes.Recent FindingsRecent research has shown that regional techniques contribute to better pain control and patient experience...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - January 27, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Gabapentinoid Use in Perioperative Care and Current Controversies
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes the risks and benefits of gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) for perioperative pain control and the controversies surrounding their use in a variety of settings. We review current literature with the goal of providing patient-centric and procedure-specific recommendations for the use of these medications.Recent FindingsGabapentinoids are among the most prescribed medications in the USA, and typically for off-label indications such as postoperative pain. In the perioperative setting, multimodal analgesic or “opioid-sparing” regimens have become the standard of ca...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - January 27, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Hypnosis As A Therapy for Chronic Lower Back Pain
AbstractPurpose of ReviewChronic lower back pain is a crippling condition for the individual and a significant burden on society. It is notoriously challenging to manage despite access to invasive interventions. Understanding hypnosis as a powerful therapeutic adjunct to this condition allows holistic treatment of patients in distress.Recent FindingsIn addition to classic etiologies of chronic lower back pain, hypnosis has proven to be beneficial in chronic back pain caused by pregnancy, diabetic and HIV neuropathy. Combination of hypnosis with other mind –body techniques such as olfactory stimulation, music therapy and ...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - January 25, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Update of New Daily Persistent Headache
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe diagnostic criteria of new daily persistent headache (NDPH) have been revised since 2013. The current review focused on the progress of NDPH research over the last few years.Recent FindingsVarious new triggers and different NDPH mimics have been reported. The association with both cephalic and extracephalic pathologies suggests that NDPH is rather a syndrome with more than one disease mechanism. Recent clinical studies confirmed that migrainous headache remained the most prominent phenotype of NDPH, echoing the change of the diagnostic criteria in 2013. Diagnostic workup, including imaging stud...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - January 25, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
The Use of Peripheral Nerve Blockade in Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery: Is There a Benefit?
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to synthesize recent literature investigating the use of regional anesthesia for minimally invasive surgery.Recent FindingsRecent studies investigating the use of newer peripheral nerve blocks such as erector spinae plane (ESP) and quadratus lumborum (QL) block are very limited.SummaryEvidence supporting the use of peripheral nerve blockade in laparoscopic or robotic surgery is very limited and of low-moderate quality. While transverse abdominal plane (TAP) block may decrease opioid and pain scores after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, bariatric surgery, and colorectal s...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - January 25, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
A Review of Sublingual Sufentanil Tablet (SST) and its Utility as an Analgesic Agent for Pain Procedures
AbstractPurpose of ReviewSedation for pain medicine procedures provides a unique challenge for proceduralists. Many patients dealing with pain are on chronic opioids and require higher doses of sedation for adequate procedural comfort. Chronic pain patients have various comorbidities including depression, neuropsychiatric disorders, peripheral vascular disease, and renal impairment, among others [1]. These confounding variables make the overall treatment of their pain condition much more challenging.Recent FindingsFor patients requiring intravenous (IV) sedation for their pain procedures, the constant need for access may r...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - January 25, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: Opioid Sparing Strategies After Discharge: A Review
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMany surgical subspecialties have developed enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols that focus on multimodal analgesia to limit opioid use during a hospital stay and improve patient recovery. Unfortunately, ERAS protocols do not extend to post-discharge patient care, and opioids continue to be over prescribed. The primary reason seems to be a lack of good quality research evaluating extended use of a multimodal analgesic approach. This review was undertaken to evaluate available evidence for non-opioid analgesics in the postoperative period after discharge, utilizing Pubmed, Scopus, and ...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - January 24, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Premonitory and Accompanying Symptoms in Childhood Migraine
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo review the literature on the clinical characteristics of the symptoms other than headache that occurs during a migraine attack in childhood and adolescence.Recent FindingsPremonitory symptoms (42 –67%) and postdrome phase (82%) are frequent. The most frequent auras were visual. There was no association between age or sex and the occurrence of auras. Cranial autonomic symptoms are also frequent (40–70%) and are most often bilateral. Most studies suggest that age is not associated with the frequency of nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia. Cephalic cutaneous allodynia (15–37%) and ...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - January 22, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
The Enigma of New Daily Persistent Headache: What Solutions for Pediatric Age?
AbstractPurpose of reviewTo analyze systematically the evidence currently available from the literature regarding the diagnosis, clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of new daily persistent headache (NDPH).Recent findingsNDPH is a primary headache characterized by an abrupt onset with continuous daily pain that can persist for many months. Although self-limiting forms have been described, NDPH is frequently associated with high disability even in children and adolescents. For this reason, it is very important to recognize it from a diagnostic point of view and to treat it.SummaryWe found little specific data on ...
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - January 22, 2022 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
