Статті в журналах з теми "Neuropathic pain, chronic pain, verbal pain description"

OBJECTIVE: Tropical Spastic Paraparesis/HTLV-I Associated Myelopathy (TSP/HAM) is a chronic myelopathy, and pain has been mentioned as a frequent sensory symptom in this condition. The authors aimed at analyzing this symptom in a TSP/HAM patients series. METHOD: For this, 46 patients were analyzed considering demographic and clinical characteristics and complaint of pain as to verbal description, time of onset and classification, correlated with the degree of motor disability and type of pain. RESULTS: Among the 46 TSP/HAM patients, 28 (60.8%) complained of pain, predominant in the early phase of the disease. Most of the patients exhibited neuropathic characteristics of pain, correlated with increased motor disability. CONCLUSION: Pain in TSP/HAM patients is a frequent and early symptom, and the neuropathic type is predominant (57.1%) and paralleled with increased incapacitation. The pathogenic involvement of cytokines may possibly be involved in the meaning of this symptom in this condition.

Musculoskeletal system diseases require active motor rehabilitation, as a rule, but presence of severe pain syndrome might become a barrier, leading to the development of kinesiophobia and reducing motivation for treatment in patients. In recent decades, non-invasive methods of pain control, in particular virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have been commonly used on a par with drug therapy. The purpose of this study is to provide a scientific base for the effectiveness of including a high-tech VR device (Vive Focus Plus EEA Virtual Reality Helmet), in to psychological rehabilitation of a pain syndrome in patients with chronic degenerative-dystrophic diseases of major joints and spine. The study involved 84 patients (24 men and 60 women aged 56±14.4) of a rehabilitation hospital with a severe pain syndrome and motor disorders corresponding to ICF Class 1 or 2. To analyse the characteristics of the subjective pain perception, the method of multidimensional semantic description based on the adapted Russian version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire was applied, and the Tampa Scale was used to kinesiophobia assessment. The VR technology was implemented via usage of the Vive Focus Plus EEA Virtual Reality Helmet tool (10 procedures). The effectiveness of using VR technology was evaluated through monitoring of pain dynamics and the kinesiophobia level prior to the study onset and at the end of hospitalization. As a result, the study has shown that there was no nosological specificity in the description of pain, or the differences in its verbal characteristics representing nociceptive and neuropathic components. Technology of ‘virtual immersion in 3D reality’ makes it possible to influence effectively on pathophysiological mechanisms links in the development of chronic psychologically determined, neuropathic and mixed-origin pain.

Abstract Background. The epidemiology of pain in patients with advanced haematological malignancies followed at home, 469 consecutive patients has been followed over a six years. Methods. Each pain syndrome (PS) was properly assessed and treated according to the WHO ladder. The pain intensity was reported by a Numerical Analogue Scale, which rated score ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the most severe), or, in less complaint patients, by a verbal description. Each PS was classified as deep somatic, superficial somatic, neuropathic and mixed or unknown. Results. Of 469 patients, 258 (55%) were males; the median age was 67 (4–95) years. Out of 469 patients, 244 (52%) experienced almost one PS, for a total of 284, which intensity was rated from mild to moderate in 92 (31%) and from moderate to severe in 192 (69%) of them respectively. The 244 patients who experienced pain were significantly younger than those without pain (57 ± 21 versus 69±16, P< 0.0005). Moreover, the group of less than 20 old years patients presented a higher incidence of pain compared to others (85% versus 49%, P=0.0007). The patients affected by Multiple Myeloma (MM), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL), non Hodgkin’s Lymphomas (NHL) and Blastic Crisis showed a higher incidence of pain compared to other disease groups (P=0.0011). Among acute leukemias, ALL patients presented a higher incidence of pain compared to those affected by myeloblastic forms (79% versus 41%, P= 0.0002). An effective pain control was achieved within 24 hours in 259/284 (92%) without any admission. PS was diagnosed as deep somatic, superficial somatic, visceral, neuropathic and mixed (somatic + neuropathic) in the 56 %, 15 %, 14 %, 7 % and 8 % of the PS respectively. A higher incidence of deep somatic pain was recorded in all diagnosis groups. Moreover, out of the 39 visceral PS, 33 (85%) have been recorded among patients with NHL and 6 (15%) in the others (P=0.0001). MM patients presented a higher rate of the incident pain (P<0.001). The causative mechanisms of PS were directly referable to underlying diseases, to their clinical complications and to concomitant and unrelated conditions in the 69%, 22% and 9% of cases respectively. The most involved sites were: the spine (27%), the abdomen (20%), the legs (15%), the thorax (11%) and orofaringeal tract (10%). Conclusion. our data show that pain is a relevant problem in advanced onco-haematological patients, which mostly present disease-related PS, reflecting specific pathological activity of the underlying malignancy. Table 1. Incidence of pain and distribution of pain syndromes among the haematological malignancies Malignancy PP/TP (No) Incidence of pain (%) Pain Syndromes (No) PP: Pain Patients; TP: Total Patients, No: number, MM: Multiple Myeloma, ALL: Acute Lymphoblastyc Leukemia, NHL; Non Hodgkin’s Lymphomas; BC: Blastic Crisis, HD: Hodgkin’s Disease, CLL: Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Acute Myeloblastyc Leukemia, MDS: Myelodysplastyc Syndromes, CMPD: Chronic Myeloproliferative Disorders. MM 35/39 90 38 ALL 31/39 79 40 NHL 77/128 60 89 BC 29/56 52 34 HD 5/11 45 5 CLL 10/24 42 11 AML 28/69 41 34 MDS 20/63 32 22 CMPD 5/33 18 8 Others 3/7 43 3 Total 243/469 52 284

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is a common problem that exerts a significant impact on individuals and society as a whole. Pain syndrome is one of the most common explanations for patients need for medical care, and it causes major suffering in humans. Thus far, chronic pain lacks a generally accepted terminology and classification. The review aimed to present the current terminology and classification of chronic pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two independent researchers searched for publications for the period of January 2010 to October 2020 in the databases PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and the International Association for the Study of Pain. The last search query was performed on October 25, 2020. The search identified 423 studies, and 397 of them were excluded because they described the pathophysiology and treatment of chronic pain syndromes. The remaining 26 publications formed the basis of this review. RESULTS: The review presents the current terminology and classification of chronic pain, which is defined as pain that lasts for 3 months or more after the underlying pathology is cured. The work presents the description of terms such as chronic primary pain, chronic secondary pain, cancer-associated chronic pain, chronic postoperative or post-traumatic pain, chronic neuropathic pain, chronic secondary cephalgia or orofacial pain, chronic secondary visceral pain, and chronic secondary musculoskeletal pain. Additional characteristics of chronic pain, including the intensity of pain, the severity of suffering, and physical dysfunction, are also given. CONCLUSION: The presented modern terminology and classification of chronic pain will contribute not only to the correct formulation of diagnosis established in a patient with chronic pain but also to the implementation of multimodal analgesia, epidemiological studies and, ultimately, the choice of proper strategy for addressing chronic pain by healthcare organizers. The result is also expected to lead to adequate funding for resolving this intricate problem.

Background: Despite its anticipation, postoperative pain may be still poorly managed in some cases, such as in patients undergoing major cervicofacial cancer surgery. Indeed, the postoperative pain associated with these surgeries is complex and multifactorial. Objective: To assess the profile of postoperative pain scores and opioid requirements in a cohort of consecutive patients undergoing major cancer cervicofacial surgery with or without reconstruction. Methods: A cohort of 42 consecutive patients was studied. The following parameters were recorded: patients characteristics, type of surgery, preoperative medication preoperative pain scores, and postoperative pain score (5-point numerical verbal scale) upon arrival at the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) and at Day 1 to Day 7 (11-point visual numeric scale), the presence or absence of neuropathic and/or chronic pain one year later (determined by a phone interview), and morphine consumption. Results: All patients had a pain score of less than 3 in the PACU. From postoperative day 1 to day 7, pain scores were extremely variable and stayed high or even increased up to 7 in many patients. At the one-year phone interview, some patients had neuropathic and chronic pain.Discussion: Postoperative pain profiles in major cervicofacial cancer are complex, with high interindividual variability and with cases with neuropathic patterns and high pain scores that can last up to 7 days postoperatively.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic neuropathic pain disorder characterized by neuropathic pain associated with local edema and changes suggestive of autonomic involvement such as altered sweating, skin color, and skin temperature of the affected region. CRPS was described associated with several diseases, such as trauma, psychiatric conditions, and cancer. However, no case associated with Still's disease has been previously described. In this paper, the authors describe the first case of CRPS associated with Still's disease.

Varied and complicated etiology of low back pain radiates distally at the extremities is still causing disagreement and controversies around the issue of its diagnosis and treatment. New research data demonstrated that almost one in five persons with back pain experience symptoms indicative of neuropathic pain component. The neuropathic involvement is not completely understood, and different mechanisms are thought to play important role. A combination of nociceptive and neuropathic pain-generating mechanism is thought to be involved, which established the term mixed pain syndrome. In the pathomechanism of neuropathic pain the lesion, trauma or overloading of the disc is thought to be a primary source of the neuropathic pain but the concept of neuropathic component of pain is more probable for chronic stage than acute. Assessment of neuropathic pain involves a systematic approach which includes a series steps; past and present history, detailed description of pain distribution, quality, pain intensity and neurological examination with emphasis on sensory testing. The sensory examinations need often to be supply neurophysiological testing and quantitate sensory testing. Some groups of the drugs are thought to be useful e.g. tricyclic antidepressant, sodium channel blockers (e.g. carbamazepine), gabapentin, opioids, NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor blockers and others for neuropathic pain treatment. The use of specific kind of the drugs depends on the symptoms and examinations findings.

This study aimed to determine the factors that affect the development of chronic pain in patients who recovered from a critical illness and to explore characteristics of pain. Material and methods. This study included a total of 112 patients with surgical pathology who stayed in the intensive care unit (ICU) and subsequently discharged from the hospital. Before discharge, patients were assessed using a short pain questionnaire, the PainDetect questionnaire to assess the neuropathic component of pain, and the HADS questionnaire to verify the presence of anxiety and depression. After 6 and 12 months, catanamnestic data were analyzed, and neuro-orthopedic examination and repeat testing were performed. The duration of ventilation and ICU and hospital stays were assessed as risk factors. The APACHE-II scale score and the maximum SOFA scale score were used as severity parameters of critical conditions. The maximum level of C-reactive protein (CRP) was recorded as a marker of inflammation. The Charlson comorbidity index was used to assess baseline comorbidity. Results. After 6 months, pain syndrome developed in 55.6% of the patients, and after 12 months, the average pain intensity was 4 points on the verbal rating scale in 59% of the patients. Neuropathic pain was diagnosed in 34% of the patients. The most frequent location of pain was the shoulder joint area, and both shoulders were affected by pain in 58.2% of the patients. In the period from 6 months to 1 year after discharge from the ICU, the risk factors for chronic pain were the duration of ventilator use, ICU stay, and CRP level. Age and gender did not affect the development of chronic pain in patients who recovered from critical illness. Conclusions. Chronic pain is a complication in more than half of the patients with critical illness. A third of patients with chronic pain experienced neuropathic pain, which requires a comprehensive approach to relieve pain.

Neuropathic pain is common in clinical practice. Exploration of new drug therapeutics has always been carried out for more satisfactory effects and fewer side-effects. In the present study, we aimed to investigate effects of Tongluo Zhitong Prescription (TZP), a compounded Chinese medicine description, on neuropathic pain model of rats with chronic constriction injury (CCI). The CCI model was established by loosely ligating sciatic nerve with catgut suture, proximal to its trifurcation. The static and dynamic allodynia, heat hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia, cold allodynia, and gait were assessed. Our results showed that TZP alleviated CCI-induced static and dynamic allodynia, suppressed heat hyperalgesia and cold and mechanical allodynia, and improved gait function. These results suggest that TZP could alleviate neuropathic pain. Further experiments are needed to explore its mechanisms.

Background:Neck pain is common, but few studies have used qualitative methods to describe it.Purpose:To describe the quality, distribution and behavior of neck pain.Methods:Sixteen people (15 females; mean age = 33 years (range = 20-69)) with neck pain >3 months were interviewed using a semi-structured guide. Interview data were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Descriptive content analysis was performed by two authors. Participants then completed an electronic descriptive pain tool, placing icons (word and icon descriptors to describe quality) on anatomic diagrams to identify location of pain, and intensity ratings at each location. This data was triangulated with interviews.Results:Aching pain and stiffness in the posterior neck and shoulder region were the most common pain complaints. All patients reported more than one pain quality. Associated headache was common (11/16 people); but varied in location and pain quality; 13/16 reported upper extremity symptoms. Neuropathic characteristics (burning) or sensory disturbance (numbness/tingling) occurred in some patients, but were less common. Activities that involved lifting/carrying and psychological stress were factors reported as exacerbating pain. Physical activity was valued as essential to function, but also instigated exacerbations. Concordance between the structured pain tool and interviews enhanced trustworthiness of our results. Integrating qualitative findings with a previous classification system derived a 7-axis neck pain classification: source/context, sample subgroup, distribution, duration, episode pattern, pain/symptom severity, disability/participation restriction.Conclusions:Qualitative assessment and classification should consider the multiple dimensions of neck pain.

IntroductionGabapentin is currently used ‘off-label’ in children and adolescents with chronic neuropathic pain, and reliable evidence of its effects and optimal dosing are lacking.ObjectivesThe GABA-1 trial aims to compare the efficacy and safety of gabapentin liquid formulation relative to tramadol and to explore the pharmacokinetics of both drugs in the treatment of chronic, neuropathic or mixed pain in the paediatric population.Methods and analysisThe trial is a multicentre, double-blind, double-dummy, randomised, active-controlled, non-inferiority trial. Participants aged from 3 months to <18 years of age with moderate to severe (≥4/10 in age-appropriate pain scales) chronic neuropathic or mixed pain will be recruited in 14 clinical sites in eight European countries. A total of 94 subjects will be randomised to receive gabapentin and tramadol placebo or tramadol and gabapentin placebo throughout 16–19 weeks (including 3 weeks of titration [optimisation period], 12 weeks of treatment at a stable dose [maintenance period] and 1–4 weeks of tapering [discontinuation period]). The primary objective is to assess the efficacy of gabapentin relative to tramadol for the treatment of moderate to severe chronic neuropathic or mixed pain by comparing the difference in average pain scores (assessed by age-appropriate pain scales) between intervention arms after 15 weeks of treatment. Secondary objectives include the assessment of the safety, quality of life and global satisfaction with treatment and the description of the pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic relationship of gabapentin liquid formulation and tramadol oral drops to validate the recommended paediatric doses. Only rescue pain medication by paracetamol and/or ibuprofen is allowed during the trial.Ethics and disseminationEthic approval was obtained in the eight participating countries. Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at one or more scientific conferences.Trial registration numbers2014-004851-30 andNCT02722603.Trial statusOngoing research study, currently recruiting.

Introduction. Most spinal-cord-injured patients have constipation. One-third develop chronic abdominal pain 10 years or more after injury. Nevertheless, very little is known about the nature of abdominal pain after spinal cord injury (SCI). It may be neuropathic or caused by constipation.Aim. To compare characteristics of abdominal pain in SCI with able-bodied with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC).Subjects and Methods. 21 SCI and 15 CIC patients were referred for treatment of bowel symptoms. Constipation-related symptoms were assessed with the Cleveland Constipation Scoring System and the International Spinal Cord Injury Basic Bowel Function Data Set. Characteristics of abdominal pain were described using the Brief Danish Pain Questionnaire. Total gastrointestinal transit times (GITT) were measured by radiopaque markers.Results. Seventeen (81%) SCI and 14 (93%) CIC patients reported abdominal pain or discomfort within the last month (). Pain was considered more intense by CIC than by SCI patients (). Only minor differences were found in patient’s qualitative description of abdominal pain or in the location of pain. In neither SCI nor CIC was pain associated with GITT.Conclusion. Most characteristics of abdominal pain among SCI patients resemble those of CIC. This indicates that constipation is a major cause of pain after SCI.

Abstract Objective Upper limb complex regional pain syndrome is an important cause of chronic pain, and its treatment is challenging. In this pilot case series, we preliminarily evaluated the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of a new technique for brachial plexus neuromodulation in the treatment of this disease in patients refractory to conservative treatment. Methods Between 2017 and 2018, 14 patients considered to be refractory to optimized conservative treatment were recruited to this study. In the first stage, patients were trialed for seven days with a new technique of implant of the brachial plexus. Patients with ≥50% pain relief in visual analog scale (VAS) score received a definitive implantation in the second stage. Follow-ups were conducted at pre-implant and 12 months using the Neuropathic Pain Scale, SF-32, and the visual analogic scale for pain. Results After the initial trial, 10 patients had a pain reduction of ≥50% and received a permanent implant. At 12-month follow-up, VAS, Neuropathic Pain Scale, SF-12 physical and mental scores improved by 57.4% +/- 10% (P = 0.005), 60.2% +/- 12.9% (P = 0.006), and 21.9% +/- 5.9% (P = 0.015), respectively. Conclusions Our data suggest that this new technique of brachial plexus stimulation may have long-term utility in the treatment of painful upper limb complex regional pain syndrome. New more detailed comprehensive studies should be carried out to confirm our findings in a larger population and to further refine the clinical implementation of this technique.

Background:Genicular nerve block (GNB) is a safe and effective therapeutic procedure for intractable pain associated with chronic knee osteoarthritis (OA)(1). There is increasing support for the neuropathic component to the knee OA pain. Investigators proposed that targeting treatment to the underlying pain mechanism can improve pain management in knee OA (2). There is a debate on injectable solutions used in nerve blocks (3).Objectives:To investigate the analgesic and functional effects of USG-guided GNB in patients with chronic knee OA (with/without neuropathic pain) and to evaluate the efficacy of the anesthetic and non-anesthetic solutions used.Methods:Ninety patients with chronic knee OA between the ages of 50-80 were divided into two groups with and without neuropathic pain according to painDETECT questionnaire (4). The groups were randomized into three subgroups to either the lidocaine group (n=30) or dextrose group (n=29) or saline solutions (n=31). After the ultrasound-guided GNB, quadriceps isometric strengthening exercises and cryotherapy were recommended to the patients. Visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Lequesne-algofunctional Index were assessed at baseline and at 1 week, 1 and 3 months later after the procedure.Results:Statistically significant improvement was observed in all groups with or without neuropathic pain according to VAS values at the 1stweek, 1stmonth and 3rdmonth compared to baseline (p<0.05). Statistically significant improvement was observed in all groups with neuropathic pain according to painDETECT values at the 1stweek, 1stmonth and 3rdmonth compared to baseline (p<0.05). There was a statistically significant improvement in the groups without neuropathic pain which received dextrose and saline solutions, according to painDETECT values, but not in the group which received lidocain at the 1stweek, 1stmonth and 3rdmonth compared to baseline (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant improvement in all groups with or without neuropathic pain according to WOMAC and Lequesne total scores at the 1stweek, 1stmonth and 3rdmonth compared to baseline (p<0.05).Conclusion:We conclude that in patients with chronic knee OA (with/without neuropathic pain), the use of GNB with USG is an analgesic method which provides short to medium term analgesia and functional recovery and has no serious side effects. The lack of significant difference between the anesthetic and non-anesthetic solutions used in the GNB suggests that this may be a central effect rather than a symptom of peripheral nerve dysfunction. It suggests that injection may have an indirect effect through nociceptive processing and changes in neuroplastic mechanisms in the brain. In addition, we can say that regular exercise program contributes to improved physical function with the decrease in pain.References:[1]Kim DH et al. Ultrasound-guided genicular nerve block for knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial of local anesthetic alone or in combination with corticosteroid. Pain Physician 2018;21:41-51.[2]Thakur M et.al. Osteoarthritis pain: nociceptive or neuropathic?. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2014:10(6):374.[3]Lam SKH et al. Transition from deep regional blocks toward deep nerve hydrodissection in the upper body and torso: method description and results from a retrospective chart review. BioMed Research International Volume 2017;7920438.[4]Hochman JR et al. Neuropathic pain symptoms in a community knee OA cohort. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2011 Jun;19(6):647-54.Fig. 1:Ultrasound- guided identification of GNB target sites. Doppler mode. White arrows indicate genicular arteries.A.Superior medial genicular artery.B.Inferior medial genicular artery.C.Superior lateral genicular artery.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

Deep nerve hydrodissection uses fluid injection under pressure to purposely separate nerves from areas of suspected fascial compression, which are increasingly viewed as potential perpetuating factors in recalcitrant neuropathic pain/complex regional pain. The usage of 5% dextrose water (D5W) as a primary injectate for hydrodissection, with or without low dose anesthetic, could limit anesthetic-related toxicity. An analgesic effect of 5% dextrose water (D5W) upon perineural injection in patients with chronic neuropathic pain has recently been described. Here we describe ultrasound-guided methods for hydrodissection of deep nerve structures in the upper torso, including the stellate ganglion, brachial plexus, cervical nerve roots, and paravertebral spaces. We retrospectively reviewed the outcomes of 100 hydrodissection treatments in 26 consecutive cases with a neuropathic pain duration of 16±12.2 months and the mean Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) 0–10 pain level of 8.3±1.3. The mean percentage of analgesia during each treatment session involving D5W injection without anesthetic was 88.1% ± 9.8%. The pretreatment Numeric Pain Rating Scale score of 8.3±1.3 improved to 1.9±0.9 at 2 months after the last treatment. Patients received 3.8±2.6 treatments over 9.7±7.8 months from the first treatment to the 2-month posttreatment follow-up. Pain improvement exceeded 50% in all cases and 75% in half. Our results confirm the analgesic effect of D5W injection and suggest that hydrodissection using D5W provides cumulative pain reduction.

Introduction. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is an urgent and widely discussed problem in the medical community. Despite the efforts made by a wide range of specialists, there is currently no universally accepted universal approach to the diagnosis and treatment of this condition. The article provides a description and results of applying its own approach to the management of patients with chronic pelvic pain syndrome.Purpose of research. The aim of the work was to improve the practical results of treatment of patients suffering from chronic pelvic pain syndrome.Materials and methods. The results of the examination and treatment of 46 men aged from 26 to 57 years are presented. The leading complaint of the patients was the long-term pain in the pelvic and / or perineal region. According to the survey results, 43.5% of patients showed signs of inflammation in the prostate gland, 56.5% showed no symptoms. Patients with proven inflammatory changes in the prostate gland were divided into two groups: the first group received the “standard” therapy of chronic prostatitis (antibiotics, prostate-tropic drugs, microcirculation and immunocorrection enhancers, physiotherapy), in the second group the patients received the “standard” treatment in combination with myofascial blockades and neuropathic pain therapy. Patients without inflammatory changes in the prostate were combined into a third group and received only myofascial blockade and neuropathic pain therapy.Results. Pain in chronic pelvic pain syndrome is most often localized in the perineal region and in the inguinal zones, while the presence or absence of a proven inflammatory component in the prostate gland does not significantly affect the localization and degree of pain, nor the assessment of quality of life. The pelvic myofascial syndromes are detected in the majority of patients with CPPS and their targeted correction in the framework of complex therapy has a positive effect on the results of patient treatment.Conclusions. Correction of musculo-tonic disorders in chronic pelvic pain syndrome was accompanied by a statistically significant reduction in pain on a 10-point numerical rating scale for pain, a decrease in the I-PSS index.

Object Ilioinguinal neuralgia is one cause of chronic groin pain following inguinal hernia repair, and it affects ~ 10% of patients. Selective ilioinguinal neurectomy is one proposed treatment option for carefully selected patients. The goal of this study was to determine the long-term outcome of patients who underwent selective ilioinguinal neurectomy for chronic post-hernia pain. Methods The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical assessment, surgical treatment, and long-term outcome in 26 patients with ilioinguinal neuralgia who underwent selective ilioinguinal neurectomy performed by the senior author (K.J.B.) at Oregon Health & Science University between 1998 and 2008. Data were collected from patient charts and a follow-up telephone questionnaire. Results Twenty-six patients (14 men and 12 women) had a clinical diagnosis of ilioinguinal neuralgia based on a history of radiating neuropathic groin, medial thigh, and genitalia pain. One patient had bilateral disease (therefore there were 27 surgical cases). A selective nerve block was performed in 21 (81%) of 26 patients and was positive in 20 (77%) of the 26. In all but 2 patients, pain onset followed abdominal surgery (for hernia repair in 18 patients), and was immediate in 16 (67%) of 24 patients. The mean patient age was 48.7 years, and the mean duration of pain prior to neurosurgical consultation was 3.9 years. Surgery was performed after induction of local or general anesthesia in 17 and 10 cases, respectively. The ilioinguinal nerve was identified in 25 cases, and the genitofemoral nerve in 2, either entrapped in mesh, scar, or with obvious neuroma (22 of 27 cases). The identified nerve was doubly ligated, cut, and buried in muscle at its most proximal point. At the 2-week follow-up evaluations, 14 (74%) of 19 patients noted definite pain improvement. Nineteen (73%) of the 26 patients were contacted by telephone and agreed to participate in completing long-term follow-up questionnaires. The mean follow-up duration was 34.78 months. Return of pain was reported by 13 (68%) of 19 patients. Using a verbal numerical rating scale (0–10), pain was completely relieved in 27.8%, better in 38.9%, no better in 16.7%, and worse in 16.7% of patients. Conclusions Ilioinguinal neurectomy is an effective and appropriate treatment for selected patients with iatrogenic ilioinguinal neuralgia following abdominal surgery. Although a high proportion of patients reported some long-term recurrence of pain, complete or partial pain relief was achieved in 66.7% of the patients observed.

Chronic pelvic pain can present in various pain syndromes. In particular, interventional procedure plays an important diagnostic and therapeutic role in 3 types of pelvic pain syndromes: pudendal neuralgia, piriformis syndrome, and “border nerve” syndrome (ilioinguinal, iliohypogastric, and genitofemoral nerve neuropathy). The objective of this review is to discuss the ultrasound-guided approach of the interventional procedures commonly used for these 3 specific chronic pelvic pain syndromes. Piriformis syndrome is an uncommon cause of buttock and leg pain. Some treatment options include the injection of the piriformis muscle with local anesthetic and steroids or the injection of botulinum toxin. Various techniques for piriformis muscle injection have been described. CT scan and EMG-guidance are not widely available to interventional physicians, while fluoroscopy exposes the performers to radiation risk. Ultrasound allows direct visualization and real-time injection of the piriformis muscle. Chronic neuropathic pain arising from the lesion or dysfunction of the ilioinguinal nerve, iliohypograstric nerve, and genitofemoral nerve can be diagnosed and treated by injection to the invloved nerves. However, the existing techniques are confusing and contradictory. Ultrasonography allows visualization of the nerves or the structures important in the identification of the nerves and provides the opportunities for real-time injections. Pudendal neuralgia commonly presents as chronic debilitating pain in the penis, scrotum, labia, perineum, or anorectal region. A pudendal nerve block is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of pudendal neuralgia. The pudendal nerve is located between the sacrospinous and sacrotuberous ligaments at the level of ischial spine. Ultrasonography, but not the conventional fluoroscopy, allows visualization of the nerve and the surrounding landmark structures. Ultrasound-guided techniques offer many advantages over the conventional techniques. The ultrasound machine is portable and is more readily available to the pain specialist. It prevents patients and healthcare professionals from the exposure to radiation during the procedure. Because it allows the visualization of a wide variety of tissues, it potentially improves the accuracy of the needle placement, as exemplified by various interventional procedures in the pelvic regions aforementioned. Key words: Pudendal nerve, piriformis muscle, ilioinguinal nerve, iliohypogastric nerve, genitofemoral nerve, ultrasound

Introduction. Pudendal neuralgia is a canal syndrome. Patients present, among other symptoms, with chronic neuropathic pain, allodynia and dyspareunia; the chronicity of which impact their everyday life.The goal of research — is to measure the impact of osteopathic care on pudendal neuralgia′s pain.Materials and methods. Four females and eight males suffering from pudendal neuralgia received two osteopathic treatments within 15 days. Pain was the main outcome measure. We assessed pain through a simple verbal pain rating scale. The scale was used on three occasions: before the first session, before the second one and 15 days later.Results. 10 out of 12 patients find their pain decreased by 40 % or more. On inclusion, the main pain level is 6,3, before the second session it goes down to 4,5, then to 2,5 after 15 days. This decrease is very highly significant (p<0,0001). Every patient from this study would recommended this approach to a friend suffering from this neuralgia.Conclusion. Osteopathy seems to be interesting to consider in the global management of pudendal neuralgia. A comparative randomized trial would be necessary to confirm these first results. It would be interesting to compare results obtained with the osteopathic protocol with results from transcutaneous neuroelectric stimulation in order to assess if the action of osteopathy is linked with pain perception only.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Chronic, drug-resistant neuropathic pain can be treated by surgically implanted motor cortex stimulation (MCS). The leads used for MCS have not been specifically designed for this application. OBJECTIVE: To study the value of a new 8-contact lead for MCS therapy in a series of 6 patients with refractory central poststroke pain. METHODS: The study comprised a 1-month randomized phase, starting 1 month after implantation, during which the neurostimulator was switched on in one-half of the patients or remained off in the other half, followed by an open phase of 10 months, during which the stimulator was switched on in all patients. Clinical assessment was performed at baseline and 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after implantation with the following scales: Visual Analog Scale, Verbal Rating Scale, Brief Pain Inventory, McGill Pain Questionnaire, Sickness Impact Profile, and Medication Quantification Scale. RESULTS: In the randomized phase, clinical scores were found to be globally reduced in the on- vs off-stimulation condition. In the open follow-up phase, all clinical scores improved significantly over time. The ratio between affective and sensory McGill Pain Questionnaire subscores decreased, suggesting a preferential effect of MCS on the affective component of pain. Compared with preoperative baseline, 2 patients were totally relieved of central poststroke pain, 3 patients were very much relieved, and 1 patient remained unchanged at the final examination. CONCLUSION: A good clinical outcome was observed in all patients except 1, suggesting that this new octopolar lead could be used for MCS therapy to treat refractory central poststroke pain.

Objective To review the clinical entity of primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), its pathophysiological mechanisms, accurate new diagnostic methods and evidence-based treatment options, and to describe novel lines for future research regarding aetiology, pathophysiology, and new therapeutic strategies. Description Primary BMS is a chronic neuropathic intraoral pain condition that despite typical symptoms lacks clear clinical signs of neuropathic involvement. With advanced diagnostic methods, such as quantitative sensory testing of small somatosensory and taste afferents, neurophysiological recordings of the trigeminal system, and peripheral nerve blocks, most BMS patients can be classified into the peripheral or central type of neuropathic pain. These two types differ regarding pathophysiological mechanisms, efficacy of available treatments, and psychiatric comorbidity. The two types may overlap in individual patients. BMS is most frequent in postmenopausal women, with general population prevalence of around 1%. Treatment of BMS is difficult; best evidence exists for efficacy of topical and systemic clonazepam. Hormonal substitution, dopaminergic medications, and therapeutic non-invasive neuromodulation may provide efficient mechanism-based treatments for BMS in the future. Conclusion We present a novel comprehensive hypothesis of primary BMS, gathering the hormonal, neuropathic, and genetic factors presumably required in the genesis of the condition. This will aid in future research on pathophysiology and risk factors of BMS, and boost treatment trials taking into account individual mechanism profiles and subgroup-clusters.

Degenerative diseases are chronic chronic diseases that affect a person's quality of life and productivity. One of the most common degenerative diseases and which has a high mortality rate is osteoarthritis in the knee. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in the administration of TENS with Oscillation Traction on pain intensity in patients with genital osteoarthritis in Grandmed Lubuk Pakam Hospital. Research Method: this is research is quasi-experimental while the research design uses pre-test and post-test. The sample of this study used 2 treatment groups, namely treatment group 1 using TENS and treatment group 2 using oscillation traction. Both sample groups measured pain scales using the verbal description scale. The results of the analysis of the influence test with Independent t-test in treatment group 1 and treatment group 2. Test paired sample t-test obtained p value = 0.001 (p 5 0.05), which means that there is a difference in pain intensity before and after being given TENS. Whereas in the treatment group 2 oscillation traction obtained results of p = 0.001 (.050.05) which means that there is a difference in pain intensity before and after being given oxyylation traction. From the results of the independent t-test in getting results with p = 0.000 (α<0.05) it can be concluded that there is a difference in the administration of TENS with oscillation traction against pain intensity in Genu Osteoarthtritis sufferers. Conclusion There is a Difference in Giving TENS with Oscillation Traction Against Pain Intensity in Genu Osteoarthtritis Patients. Suggestion: minimize activity overload the knee joint, squat up and down stairs or lift excessive weight.

Abstract Background. In order to investigate the epidemiologic features of pain experienced by hospitalized patients with blood-related diseases, a six months longitudinal study on a consecutive cohort of adult patients has been conducted in four Italian Hospitals. Patients and Methods. There were 471 patients (221 male) with a median age of 67 (17–89) years. In the event of pain, each pain syndrome (PS) was properly assessed and the pain intensity was reported by a Numerical Analogue Scale (NRS), which rated from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the most severe), or, in less complaint patients, by a verbal description. A treatment approach based on the cancer pain WHO analgesic ladder was recommended. results. Data on distribution of patients according to the diagnosis and the relative incidence of pain are shown in table 1. Overall, of 471 patients, 175 (37 %) experienced almost one PS for a total of 245. In particular, 112 (64 %), 56 (35.6 %) and 7 (0.4%) presented 1, 2 and 3 distinct PS respectively. Among the 399 patients with malignancies, 165 (41.4%) presented 235 (96%) of the 245 diagnosed PS. Moreover, out of 175 patients who complained pain, 106 (60%) were in advanced phase of disease and collectively accounted for 179/245 (73%) PS. The pathophisiology of the 245 PS was diagnosed as follows: 121 (49 %) deep somatic, deriving from the bone in most cases, 51 (21 %) superficial somatic (mucositis and cutis derangements), and 35 (14 %) visceral, 24 (10 %) neuropathic, 14 (6 %) mixed or by unknown mechanisms. Out of the 35 visceral PS, 28 (80%) were complained by non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas patients. The median pain intensity, according to NRS score was 6 (2–10). The adopted treatment approach, integrating causal interventions and analgesic measures, based on the institutional policy and guidelines of each centre, allowed an effective control of pain (reduction of NRS score of almost 50% within 24 hours) in 225/245 (92%) of the PS. No serious adverse effects were recorded. Conclusion. Our findings indicate that in the setting of haematological wards: pain is a significant symptom requiring prompt medical attention and a regular monitoring as the fifth vital sign; most PS can be effectively controlled by the currently available not invasive treatment strategies; the implementation of clinical pathways and standardized protocols based on well-defined algorithms can provide the auspicial advancements toward a “pain-free” haematological hospital. Table 1. Study results: incidence of pain and distribution of the pain syndromes according to the hematologic diagnosis. Disease Total Patients (%) Patients with pain (Pain Incidence %) Pain Syndromes (% of the total) NHL: Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma; AML: Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia; MM: Multiple Myeloma; ALL: Acute Lymphoblastic Leucemia; LPD: others Lymphoproliferative Disorders; MDS: Myelodisplastyc Sindromes; NMD: Non-Malignant Diseases. NHL 141 (30) 56/141 (40) 85 (34) AML 104 (22) 35/104 (34) 47 (19) MM 48 (10) 39/48 (81) 49 (20) ALL 32 (7) 15/32 (47) 26 (11) LPD 34 (8) 8/34 (23) 12 (5) MDS 36 (8) 12/36 (33) 16 (7) NMD 72 (15) 10/72 (14) 10 (4) Total 471 (100) 175/471(37) 245 (100)

AbstractBackground and aimsThe randomized controlled trial (RCT) is currently facing several challenges, one of these being that the placebo response appears to be increasing in RCTs, thereby making it difficult to demonstrate an effect of potentially new treatments over placebo. This problem has primarily been approached by predicting the magnitude of the placebo response via stable factors, such as demographic variables, and/or by developing complex designs aimed at reducing the placebo response in the hope that it will improve the test of the active treatment. Yet, the success of this approach has so far been limited.MethodsA new approach toward improving the RCT is put forward based on placebo and nocebo mechanism studies, i.e. studies that investigate the mechanisms underlying placebo analgesia and nocebo hyperalgesia. In a series of meta-analyses the magnitude of placebo and nocebo effects were determined. Experimental studies across nociplastic and neuropathic pain conditions and across pharmacological and acupuncture treatments investigated psychological and neurobiological mechanisms underlying these effects. The obtained results were used to make approximations of expectations to see if that could predict the placebo response in RCTs and function as a new way of tapping into the placebo component of treatment effects.ResultsThe magnitude of placebo and nocebo effects is large and highly variable. Placebo effects exist across chronic pain conditions with varying degrees of known etiology as well as across pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. Patients’ perception of the treatment, the verbal suggestions given for pain relief, and the patients’ expectations toward pain relief contribute to the magnitude of the placebo effect and to pain relief following placebo interventions. Also, unintentional unblinding and patients’ perception of a treatment markedly influence the treatment outcome. By making approximations of expectations toward treatment effects it was possible to predict the magnitude of the placebo response in RCTs.Conclusions and implicationsThe new approach of tapping into or directly asking patients about their perception and expectations toward a treatment, along with the account of the natural history of pain, has the potential to improve the information that can be obtained from RCTs. Thus, by interfacing insights from placebo and nocebo mechanism studies, it may be possible to enhance the information that can be obtained from RCTs and to account for a large part of the variability in the placebo component of the overall treatment effect. This approach has the potential to improve the scientific evaluation of treatments, as well as to illustrate how the effect of treatments can be optimized in clinical practice, which is the crux of evidence-based medicine.

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: If intranasal ketamine can be utilized for pain control in cancer patients, this could provide them with superior analgesia and better quality of life, without the risk of significant respiratory depression associated with opioid medications. We seek to obtain preliminary data via a clinical trial addressing safety, feasibility, and utility of this novel technique for the treatment of persistent uncontrolled cancer pain. These findings would be an important initial step towards testing the effectiveness of intranasal ketamine as a non-opioid medication for cancer pain used as potential maintenance outpatient therapy. These initial findings would be applied to a subsequent trial to determine the effectiveness and associated toxicities of ketamine in a larger sample of cancer patients, and address the compelling need to identify new, successful management therapies for cancer pain. Specific Aims: 1. To evaluate (pharmacodynamic) effects of NAS ketamine on Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs), such as pain scores, side effects, depression, quality of life, and functional status. A clinical trial will be conducted where NAS ketamine will be given to a sample of patients with cancer related pain. Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs), such as pain scores, depression, quality of life, and functional status will be noted on Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), and Edmonton Symptom Assessment (ESAS), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) and Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scales respectively. 1. To measure pharmacokinetics of NAS ketamine through analysis of ketamine and its metabolite norketamine to determine pharmacokinetic properties. During this clinical trial blood samples will be drawn at specified intervals and sent for analysis. 3. To determine opioid sparing effect of NAS ketamine. Opioid use will be measured by documenting use of rescue medications prior to and during the study and by evaluating total opioid consumption prior to and during the study. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Study sample: In the search for improved therapies for chronic cancer pain, medications with novel mechanisms of action have been sought. One such promising pharmacologic approach is ketamine. We specifically intend to measure utility of ketamine in patients with pain related to cancer or cancer treatment. Ketamine has shown to reverse central sensitization and opioid tolerance in rat models. Since ketamine is Scheduled III in United States and has abuse potential, we do not intend for ketamine to replace opioids, but use in patients who have failed opioid therapy. Since the investigators of the study practice at Emory, subjects will be from oncology and pain clinics (the supportive oncology clinic, oncology clinics, the pain clinic and Acute Pain Service) at Emory. The trial will be conducted at the Phase 1 Unit of the Winship Cancer Institute (WCI) at Emory. Subjects may be identified and contacted via telephone with information about the study prior to their next clinic appointment in order to allow time for them to consider the study. Eligibility criteria: Patients will be eligible to participate if they are: 1. Adults with uncontrolled cancer related pain a. Male and female subjects at least 18 years of age. b. Patients with uncontrolled pain related to cancer or cancer treatment. c. Uncontrolled pain will be defined as i. pain which persists for more than 7 days and is rated >/=4 on NPRS, and/or ii. use of breakthrough medication more than 4 times in 24 hours d. Failed other pain medications such non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, opioids such as tramadol, hydrocodone, oxycodone etc. and antineuropathics such as gabapentin. 2. Able to provide informed consent a. Patients who are able to understand written and verbal English. Patients will be excluded from the study if they have any of the following: 1. Conditions increasing the risk of side effects from ketamine a. Conditions not safe due to cardiovascular effects of ketamine i. Presence of severe cardiac disease-EF <15% in patients with known history of cardiac disease ii. Uncontrolled Stage 2 hypertension or greater (systolic blood pressure > 160 and/or diastolic blood pressure >100) iii. Baseline tachycardia, HR >100 b. Conditions not safe due to potential effect of ketamine on intracranial and intraocular pressure i. Presence of elevated ICP ii. Uncontrolled glaucoma c. Presence of uncontrolled depression or other psychiatric comorbidity with psychosis 2. Conditions not safe due to potential side effects reported in ketamine abusers a. History of liver disease b. History of interstitial cystitis 3. Conditions where delivery of intranasal medications may be unreliable a. Active allergic or infectious rhinitis b. Patients with lesions of nasal mucosa 4. Conditions where fetus may be exposed to ketamine in utero (ketamine is category C medication) a. Pregnant women, nursing mothers and women of childbearing potential not using contraception known to be highly effective. b. Highly effective contraception methods include combination of any two of the following: Use of oral, injected or implanted hormonal methods of contraception or; Placement of an intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS); Barrier methods of contraception: condom or occlusive cap (diaphragm or cervical/vault caps) with spermicidal foam/gel/film/cream/ vaginal suppository; Total abstinence; Male/female sterilization. 5. Conditions with medication abuse potential a. Illicit substance abuse within the past 6 months b. Documented history of medication abuse/misuse (e.g. Unsanctioned dose escalation, broken opioid agreement etc.) 6. Conditions where ketamine metabolism may be altered, resulting in erroneous dose response relationship a. Clinical requirement for medications that are concurrent inducers or strong inhibitors of CYP3A4. CYP3A4 substrates are allowed. (Ketamine is metabolized by CYP3A4) Study sample limitations: Subject factors that may affect the final resultant study sample of subjects with full data for analysis. 1. Subjects who may not get pain relief with ketamine may not follow up and resulting incomplete data not eligible for analysis that may erroneously enhance positive effect of ketamine on pain relief. To account for this effort will be made to document the reason for lack of follow-up by contacting patient via telephone or at next scheduled clinic visit within Emory Healthcare. 2. Since patients coming to Emory are typically insured, the study will not adequately capture indigent population. It is not the intention of the current study to investigate differences in pain characteristics or responses of patients with insurance vs indigent population and will need to be addressed via future trials. Since this is a single center trial, the results of this trial might lack external validity required to support widespread changes in practice. This will be a pilot trial to figure out likely most efficacious dose. If this trial is successful, a multi-site randomized clinical trial will be conducted next. Primary Study Measures Primary exposure Intranasal Ketamine for cancer related pain Ketamine is an FDA approved anesthetic with amnesic, analgesic, dissociative, and sedative properties. It is unique among anesthetic agents in that it does not depress cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Ketamine is a noncompetitive, antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors that blocks the NMDA channel in the open state by binding to the phencyclidine (PCP) site located within the lumen of the channel. Antagonism of NMDA receptors produces antinociception of persistent or neuropathic pain in animal models and analgesia in pain states in humans. The NMDA receptor is believed to play a role in the development of opioid tolerance and ketamine has been shown in a rat model to prevent fentanyl-induced hyperalgesia and subsequent acute morphine tolerance 5. Ketamine also interacts at a number of other receptor sites to block pain. Some of these sites include voltage-sensitive calcium channels, depression of sodium channels, modulation of cholinergic neurotransmission, and inhibition of uptake of serotonin and norepinephrine. Ketamine also interacts with kappa and mu opioid receptors; however, in humans, naloxone, an opioid antagonist, does not antagonize the analgesic effects of ketamine. Safety and efficacy of ketamine as an anesthetic and analgesic agent is well-documented 2-4. Ketamine is not labeled by the FDA as an analgesic agent. Low (subanesthestic) doses of ketamine have minimal adverse impact upon cardiovascular or respiratory function but produce analgesia and modulate central sensitization, hyperalgesia, and opioid tolerance. Cancer pain, especially in end stages, can be very complicated and is mediated by a variety of pathways: visceral, nociceptive, neuropathic and central. If ketamine can be utilized for pain in end stage cancer patients, this could provide them with superior analgesia and better quality of life, without the risk of significant respiratory depression associated with opioid medications. One of the challenges that we face with ketamine is the route of administration. The most common route is intravascular or intramuscular. Although it has been given orally and rectally, the bioavailability of ketamine when given via these routes is limited to 20-30%. Intranasal (NAS) administration has advantages of being needle free method of administration with potential for outpatient therapy. It lacks hepatic first pass effect resulting in higher bioavailability compared to oral route. Large surface area, uniform temperature, high permeability and extensive vascularity of the nasal mucosa facilitate rapid systemic absorption of intranasal administered drugs 6. In the pilot trial conducted by the study investigators, single dosage of intranasal ketamine has been shown to be feasibility and effective option for temporary pain reduction in patients with cancer related pain. The investigators now seek to obtain feasibility and efficacy data on long-term use of intranasal ketamine for cancer related pain. Ketamine is a scheduled III medication. A physician with a DEA license can order intranasal ketamine from a compounding pharmacy. Primary outcome of interest: Pain scores will be recorded on Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) at regular intervals throughout the study. NPRS is the most responsive tool to document pain intensity when compared to Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Visual Rating Scale (VRS) for measuring pain, 7 showing higher compliance rates, better responsiveness, ease of use, and good applicability relative to VAS/VRS8. Minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for pain ratings varies substantially based on patient population and statistical technique used, range of 0.4 to 3.7 points has been reported as a MCID. In general, improvements of pain severity</=1.5 points on NPRS could be seen as clinically irrelevant 9-13. Above that value, the cutoff point for “clinical relevance” depends on patients’ baseline pain severity, and ranges from 2.4 to 5.3 11-13. Higher baseline scores require larger raw changes to represent clinically important differences 14. Primary aim: To determine efficacy of intranasal ketamine in reducing cancer related pain. A clinical trial will be conducted to determine effect of intranasal ketamine on cancer related pain. Pain scores will be recorded on Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) at regular intervals throughout the study. Minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for pain ratings varies substantially based on patient population and statistical technique used, range of 0.4 to 3.7 points has been reported as a MCID. In general, improvements of pain severity</=1.5 points on NPRS could be seen as clinically irrelevant 9-13. Above that value, the cutoff point for “clinical relevance” depends on patients’ baseline pain severity, and ranges from 2.4 to 5.3 11-13. Higher baseline scores require larger raw changes to represent clinically important differences 14. Several clinical trials for pain have reported a reduction of 2 points on NPRS to be clinically important.15-17 Therefore for the purposes of this study, MCID of 2 was used for sample size calculations. A prior research study done by Carr et al. studied effects of intranasal ketamine for breakthrough pain in patients with chronic pain of various etiologies. 18 Total number of subjects in this study was 20 (4 of these had cancer related pain).This study demonstrated a mean reduction of 2.7 units on NPRS (P<0.0001), with standard deviation of 1.87. Since MCID is 2, effect size using this (MCID/SD) = 1.05. Power and sample size table: Assumptions: 1. T-test is the appropriate test (may not be the appropriate test since we have a small sample size and may not be able to assume normality of means based on the central limit theorem) 2. Distribution of reductions in pain score is normal 3. Effect size of 1.05 is clinically meaningful; Sample Size: A sample size of 7 from a population of 20 (in the study done by Carr etal.) achieves 80% power to detect a NPRS difference of −2 between the null hypothesis mean of 0.0 and the alternative hypothesis mean of 2 with an estimated standard deviation (SD) of 1.87 and with a significance level (alpha) of 0.05 using paired t-test assuming that the actual distribution is normal. We will include 10 patients to account for the possibility that the observed pain reduction in the current study may be different than the study done by Carr, as in this study patients were given ketamine for breakthrough pain, as opposed to for baseline pain. We will enroll 25 patients in the study to account for potential dropouts. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Majority of subjects experienced the largest decrease in their pain with the 10mg IV dose. Side effects included nausea/vomiting and a feeling of unreality. All side effects resolved by the end of each study visit. No severe adverse events occurred. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Further study is required to elucidate safety of NAS ketamine with long term use for cancer related pain.

Introduction: Neuropathic pain is present in up to 40 % of all cancer patients. A considerable number of patients fail to achieve enough pain relief with conventional treatment, which is why therapeutic alternatives such as spinal cord stimulation should be considered. Case description and results: This is the case of a female patient with chronic neuropathic pain secondary to a partial femoral nerve injury sustained during resection and lymph node dissection surgery with curative intent for a large stage II cell squamous cell carcinoma T2N0M0, localized in the right popliteal fossa. The patient presented with difficult to manage chronic neuropathic pain, despite receiving multiple oral analgesics and nerve blocks. A medullary neurostimulator was implanted that relieved the patient’s pain intensity in up to 80%, in addition to improved function and quality of life. Conclusions: spinal cord stimulation is considered an effective neuromodulatory intervention which has shown satisfactory results in the treatment of various types of refractory chronic pain in cancer patients, including neuropathic pain.

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic intraoral pain state that has been described as burning pain, tingling or numbness in the oral mucosa, in the absence of any organic disease. Most often affecting the tongue, anterior palate, and/or lips. The diagnosis of primary BMS is purely clinical and based on patients’ description of typical subjective symptoms as well on the exclusion of any systemic or local factors that may give rise to secondary burning pain sensations within the oral mucosa. Relevant studies links BMS to a peripheral neuropathy and BMS patients have revealed distinct abnormalities within the trigeminofacial large and small fiber systems and the trigeminal brainstem complex. Therefore, treatment approach should involve a multidisciplinary character similar to the treatment for neuropathic pain including factors that might also play a role on the BMS etiology and pathophysiology.

Background: Neuromodulation techniques are an important part of the chronic refractory neuropathic pain treatment. Their effectiveness is insufficiently documented in patients with tethered cord syndrome. Case Description: We present the case of a 32-year-old woman with a history of myelomeningocele repair, followed by a detethering surgery complicated with cerebral fluid leakage. Her intractable pain in her left leg and low back was successfully treated with spinal cord stimulation. Pain intensity decreased from 8/10 to 1-2/10 on her visual analogue scale without regular analgesic intake and her quality of life improved significantly. Conclusions: A review of the literature documents only three case reports of similar efficacy of spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of pain in adult patients with tethered cord syndrome.

Background: Neuromodulation techniques are an important part of the chronic refractory neuropathic pain treatment. Their effectiveness is insufficiently documented in patients with tethered cord syndrome. Case Description: We present the case of a 32-year-old woman with a history of myelomeningocele repair, followed by a detethering surgery complicated with cerebral fluid leakage. Her intractable pain in her left leg and low back was successfully treated with spinal cord stimulation. Pain intensity decreased from 8/10 to 1-2/10 on her visual analogue scale without regular analgesic intake and her quality of life improved significantly. Conclusions: A review of the literature documents only three case reports of similar efficacy of spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of pain in adult patients with tethered cord syndrome.

The original description of erythromelalgia of Mitchell has been separated into three distinct disease entities of aspirin responsive erythromelalgia in thrombocythemia, incurable congenital dominant primary erythermalgia (PE), and aspirin resistant secondary erthermalgia. Aspirin responsive platelet-mediated erythromelalgic and thrombotic processes in the end-arterial circulation of toes or fingers has been discovered as a distinct arterial thrombophilic disease entity (Sticky Platelet Syndrome) in acquired and congenital thrombocythemia due to gain of function mutations in the JAK2, TPO, MPL and CALR genes. PE is a congenital dominant incurable disease with symmetric bilateral localization of red congestion and burning pain in legs with relative sparing of the toes, which spontaneously arises in childhood or adolecence and persists life long in adults. Incurable PE has been discovered as a dominant neuropathic pain disorder caused by hyperexcitibility of the sodium channel alpha subunit Nav1.7 protein located in dorsal root ganglions and nocireceptive peripheral neurons due to gain of function mutations in the SCN9A gene on chromosome 2q coding for the Nav1.7 sodium channel. Recessive chronic insensitivity for pain (CIP) is caused by homozygous or double heterozygous loss of function mutations of the SCN9A gene and loss of Nav1.7 sodium channel excitibility