Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Ann Rehabil Med 2020 May 29. Epub 2020 May 29.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.

Objective: To evaluate the current status of pain severity and quality of life (QoL) in patients with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and to assess both their perceived needs and any unmet needs of current rehabilitation services.

Methods: A single-center questionnaire-based survey was conducted on 47 patients with CRPS who were diagnosed based on Budapest's criteria. It collected demographic and clinical data, and the structured questionnaire included the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), the Korean version of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS-K II), as well as the 5-Level EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D-5L) for measuring the QoL. Read More

Reg Anesth Pain Med 2020 May 28. Epub 2020 May 28.

Anesthesia and Pain Management, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Background: Nerve injury from peripheral nerve block (PNB) is an uncommon but potentially serious complication. We present a retrospective cohort study to evaluate the incidence and etiology of new postoperative neurological symptoms after surgery and regional anesthesia.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all PNBs performed on elective orthopedic and plastic surgical patients over 6 years (2011-2017). Read More

J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2020 May 24:101769. Epub 2020 May 24.

Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics and Reproductive Medecine, 38 Boulevard Jean Monnet, 44000, Nantes, France; Pelvic Pain Center, Nantes, France. Electronic address:

Introduction: To classify persistent perineal and pelvic postpartum pain using the classification usually employed in chronic pelvic pain.

Material And Method: Prospective observational study including all women who have consulted an algologist or gynecologist at one of the six French centers for a chronic pain (superior or equal to 3 months) spontaneous linked by the mother with her childbirth were included. During semi-directed interviews, a questionnaire regarding sociodemographic factors and detailed questions about pain were collected. Read More

J Pain Res 2020 30;13:873-875. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

Chronic pain affects roughly 50 million Americans, or 20.4% of the national population, and is a huge economic burden on society. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a cost-effective interventional treatment modality for patients with chronic neuropathic and radicular pain. Read More

Rev Med Suisse 2020 May;16(692):885-889

Service de neurologie, Hôpital du Valais - Sion, Avenue du Grand-Champsec 80, 1950, Sion.

The International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) proposed the current diagnostic description of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) for the distinct and complex chronic pain condition in 1994. Since this classification, studies on the syndrome have led to a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, epidemiology and therapeutic approaches. F. Read More

BMC Anesthesiol 2020 May 4;20(1):105. Epub 2020 May 4.

Center for Evidence-Based Medicine and Health Care, Catholic University of Croatia, Ilica 242, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia.

Background: We systematically reviewed the evidence on the efficacy and safety of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) targeted pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) versus any comparator for treatment of non-neuropathic pain.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, clinicaltrials.gov and WHO clinical trial register until January 8, 2019. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2020 Apr 23. Epub 2020 Apr 23.

Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.

The thoracic sympathetic chain is implicated in several disease processes including palmar hyperhidrosis and complex regional pain syndrome. These diseases are often medically refractory and require surgical treatments including sympathectomies and ganglion blocks. The use of chemogenetic or optogenetic technologies to modulate sympathetic chain activity may be a potential treatment for these diseases. Read More

Pain Pract 2020 Apr 19. Epub 2020 Apr 19.

The Spine & Pain Institute of New York, New York, New York, U.S.A.

Background: Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S) has emerged as a treatment for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the lower extremities, and recent small studies are demonstrating its potential efficacy in pain syndromes that are traditionally considered nociceptive in nature, such as axial low back pain. While improvements in neuromodulation technology have been substantial over the past decade, with DRG-S systems patients occasionally require additional interventional pain treatments for treatment of pain from other sources. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of medial branch nerves innervating the facet joints is an accepted therapy for pain arising from the facet joints. Read More

Pain Pract 2020 Apr 7. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

Clinic of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Pain Center, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Medical Center Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.

Background: Evaluating the effectiveness of stellate ganglion blockades (SGBs) proves challenging, since the criteria defining a successful blockade are controversial. This may be one reason for the scarcity of studies on this topic, thus forcing clinical guidelines to remain conservative in recommending SGBs. Moreover, factors to predict which patients will benefit from blockade series are not yet available. Read More

Rev Prat 2019 Nov;69(9):952-954

Unité mobile de soins palliatifs, hôpital Saint-Éloi, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.

Korean J Pain 2020 Apr;33(2):131-137

Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Among various diseases that accompany pain, complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is one of the most frustrating for patients and physicians. Recently, many studies have shown functional and anatomical abnormalities in the brains of patients with CRPS. The calcium-related signaling pathway is important in various physiologic processes calmodulin (CaM) and calcium-calmodulin kinase 2 (CaMK2). Read More

Korean J Pain 2020 Apr;33(2):99-107

Pain Management Clinic, Moscow City Clinical Hospital #52, Moscow, Russia.

Chronic severe pain results in a detrimental effect on the patient's quality of life. Such patients have to take a large number of medications, including opioids, often without satisfactory effect, sometimes leading to medication abuse and the pain worsening. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is one of the most effective technologies that, unlike other interventional pain treatment methods, achieves long-term results in patients suffering from chronic neuropathic pain. Read More

Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol 2020 Mar 24. Epub 2020 Mar 24.

Shupik' National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education, Kyiv, Ukraine.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastric pathologies. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the healing effects of mineral waters (MW).

Methods: 90 patients with GERD were under observation. Read More

Eur J Pain 2020 Mar 18. Epub 2020 Mar 18.

Centre for Decision Analysis and Support, Ismar Healthcare, Lier, Belgium.

Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established treatment for chronic neuropathic, neuropathic-like and ischaemic pain. However, the heterogeneity of patients in daily clinical practice makes it often challenging to determine which patients are eligible for this treatment, resulting in undesirable practice variations. This study aimed to establish patient-specific recommendations for referral and selection of SCS in chronic pain. Read More

Ann Afr Med 2020 Jan-Mar;19(1):68-70

Department of Orthopedics, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare neuropathic pain disorder associated with severe pain, muscle weakness, limb edema and hyperhidrosis. Predisposing factors include fracture, surgery, stroke and spinal cord injury. CRPS may recur in the same limb or spread to other limbs to complicate management. Read More

Clin Immunol 2020 May 17;214:108384. Epub 2020 Mar 17.

Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.

Chronic fatigue syndrome, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome and silicone implant incompatibility syndrome are a subject of debate among clinicians and researchers. Both the pathogenesis and treatment of these disorders require further study. In this paper we summarize the evidence regarding the role of autoimmunity in these four syndromes with respect to immunogenetics, autoimmune co-morbidities, alteration in immune cell subsets, production of autoantibodies and presentation in animal models. Read More

J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2020 Jun 7;127(6):935-951. Epub 2020 Mar 7.

Movement Disorders Section, Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.

Apart from the known efficacy of Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A (BoNT/A) in hyperactive striated and smooth muscles, different pain states have become potential targets of toxin effects. This present study determined the comparative toxin effectiveness in pain reduction among those patients injected with BoNT/A in muscle-based and in non-muscle-based conditions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of BoNT/A on selected pain conditions were included. Read More

Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 2020 Feb;45(2):152-6

Institute of Chinese Medicine History and Literature, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700.

Objective: To observe the effect contralateral needling of in improving pain, edema and limb dysfunction in stroke patients with shoulder-hand syndrome.

Methods: A total of 62 patients with post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome were divided into a control group and an observation group, 31 cases in each one. The routine treatment with internal medicine and rehabilitation manipulation was adopted in the two groups. Read More

CNS Neurosci Ther 2020 Apr 22;26(4):403-415. Epub 2020 Feb 22.

Nevro Corp., Redwood City, CA, USA.

Objective: Chronic pain is a prevalent condition which has a significant effect on the lives of those it impacts. High-frequency 10 kHz spinal cord stimulation (10 kHz SCS) has been shown to provide paresthesia-free pain relief for a wide variety of pain indications. This article summarizes the current and emerging data as they relate to the clinical use of the therapy in various pain syndromes. Read More

Immunol Res 2019 12;67(6):461-468

Department of Anesthesiology, Pain Clinic, Medical University Hannover, Hannover, Germany.

Introduction: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a complication following trauma or surgery and may be difficult to diagnose since biomarkers are lacking. Using protein array technology, we found antibodies binding to p29ING4, which we further characterized using ELISA.

Methods: Thirty-six sera of early-stage type 1 CRPS, 66 sera of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 53 sera of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), 29 sera of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 22 sera of patients after radial fractures (trauma control), and 100 sera of blood donors (BD) were analyzed for anti-p29ING4. Read More

Healthcare (Basel) 2020 Jan 9;8(1). Epub 2020 Jan 9.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Konkuk University Chungju Hospital, Chungju 27478, Korea.

To compare the treatment effects of a high-dose and low-dose oral steroid regimen based on changes in the radioisotope uptake ratio (RUR) observed from three-phase bone scintigraphy (TPBS) in patients with complex regional pain syndrome type I (CRPS I), we retrospectively analyzed data of 34 patients with CRPS I from traumatic brain injury and stroke. Depending on the dose of steroid administered, patients were divided into high-dose ( = 14) and low-dose steroid groups ( = 20). We compared the severity scores, Kozin's classification scores, and RUR observed from TPBS between the two groups. Read More

Arthrosc Tech 2019 Oct 19;8(10):e1125-e1129. Epub 2019 Sep 19.

Department for Orthopedic Surgery, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an evidence-based, reversible but invasive procedure for the treatment of chronic pain syndromes: for example, in patients with failed-back-surgery syndrome or complex regional pain syndrome. A more recent, similar technique uses high-frequency stimulation for SCS and follows a different mechanism of action that does not result in paresthesia. This Technical Note and video present surgical instructions of a "2-way cut-down" technique for a high-frequency SCS trial period and permanent implantation of an implantable pulse generator. Read More

Neurology 2020 01 24;94(4):e357-e367. Epub 2019 Dec 24.

From the Department of Neurology (V.D., M.S.H., F.E.-L., F.B.), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz; Departments of Anesthesiology (H.L.R.) and Neurology (C.S.), University Hospital Würzburg, Germany; Central European Institute of Technology and Medical Faculty (E.V.), Masaryk University, Brno; Department of Neurology (E.V.), University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic; and Department of Neurology (C.M.), General Hospital Fürth of the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.

Objective: We pursued the hypothesis that complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) signs observed by neurologic examination display a structure allowing for alignment of patients to particular phenotype clusters.

Methods: Clinical examination data were obtained from 3 independent samples of 444, 391, and 202 patients with CRPS. The structure among CRPS signs was analyzed in sample 1 and validated with sample 2 using hierarchical clustering. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2019 Dec 23;12(12). Epub 2019 Dec 23.

Department of Neurological Surgery, Radiology and Mechanical Engineering and Stroke and Applied Neuroscience Center, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.

Access site complications from transradial approaches for endovascular interventions are uncommon and many are preventable. Complications described in the literature include hematoma, radial artery occlusion, vasospasm, and even compartment syndrome. Mild post-procedure discomfort reported by patients is typically self-limited and managed symptomatically with oral analgesics. Read More

Zhongguo Zhen Jiu 2019 Dec;39(12):1262-6

Acupuncture-Moxibustion Clinical Department, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of TCM, Tianjin 300193, China.

Objective: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of three-needle therapy combined with acupuncture on complex regional pain syndrome typeⅠ(CRPS-Ⅰ) after stroke.

Methods: A total of 96 patients with CRPS-Ⅰ after stroke were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 48 cases in each one. In the control group, based on the routine treatment, acupuncture was applied at Neiguan (PC 6), Shuigou (GV 26), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and other supplementary acupoints, once a day, 6 times a week for 3 weeks. Read More

Pain Physician 2019 11;22(6):601-611

Comprehensive Pain & Rehabilitation, MS.

Background: The recent interest in targeting the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) has led to the development of new techniques of electrode placement. In this article, we describe a new "Transgrade" approach to the DRG, accessing the contralateral interlaminar space and steering the lead out the opposite foramen.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Transgrade technique to the DRG in the management of focal neuropathic pain, predominately complex regional pain syndrome in terms of efficacy and safety. Read More

Schmerz 2020 Feb;34(1):79-83

Klinik für Schmerzmedizin, BG Klinikum Duisburg, Duisburg, Deutschland.

This article describes the case of a female patient with symptoms of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) of the right wrist and forearm. Ergotherapy of the affected hand (unilateral desensitization) showed little success and became impossible with increasing environmental temperature due to excessive pain. A physiological feedback via simultaneous treatment of the unaffected healthy arm (bilateral treatment approach) ultimately led to a clear decline of all CRPS symptoms. Read More

Indian Pediatr 2019 10;56(10):880-881

Department of Pediatrics, Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity and Children's Health and Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Altindag, Ankara, Turkey.

Complex regional pain syndrome is a condition of uncertain etiology characterized by spontaneous or stimulus-induced pain that is out of proportion to the inciting event. We report a 14-year-7-month-old girl with swelling of the left hand and wrist, was diagnosed as complex regional pain syndrome. The patient was treated successfully with physical therapy and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Read More

J Dent Anesth Pain Med 2019 Oct 30;19(5):295-300. Epub 2019 Oct 30.

Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Dental Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is rare, characterized by pain from diverse causes, and presents as extreme pain even with minor irritation. General anesthesia may be required for dental treatment because the pain may not be controlled with local anesthesia. However, treatment under general anesthesia is also challenging. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2019 06 12;33(3):101418. Epub 2019 Jun 12.

Clinical and Experimental Behavioral Medicine, Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Alexandrinenstrasse 1-3, 44791, Bochum, Germany. Electronic address:

In this chapter, we provide an overview of neuroimaging studies in chronic pain. We start with an introduction about the phenomenology of pain. In the following section, the application of functional and structural imaging techniques is shown in selected chronic pain syndromes (chronic back pain, fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), phantom limb pain, and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)), and commonalities and peculiarities of imaging correlates across different types of chronic pain are discussed. Read More

Expert Opin Drug Saf 2020 Jan 8;19(1):107-112. Epub 2019 Nov 8.

Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.

: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) cases have followed human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, but no causal link has been established.: Using insurance claims, the authors observed unvaccinated 11-year-old girls for CRPS diagnoses. The authors used time-dependent Cox regression to identify health-related CRPS predictors using diagnosis codes. Read More

Rom J Morphol Embryol 2019 ;60(2):685-689

Department of Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Romania;

Metatypical basal cell carcinoma (MTBCC) is a rare form of tumor, which associates the clinical and histopathological (HP) characteristics of both basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), with a 5% chance for the development of metastases. The reference diagnosis remains the HP confirmation from the lesional tissue. The current report illustrates the case of a 74-year-old patient, diagnosed with MTBCC consequently to the biopsy from the clinically malignant lesion with HP and immunohistochemical examination, currently in clinical remission following surgical treatment. Read More

Zhen Ci Yan Jiu 2019 Oct;44(10):762-5

The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510405, China.

Objective: To investigate short-term and long-term efficacy of PGLA thread-embedding therapy in the treatment of stage Ⅰ post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome.

Methods: A total of 60 patients with stage Ⅰ post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome were randomly divided into control group and treatment group, with 30 patients in each group. The patients in the control group were given acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training, and those in the treatment group were given PGLA thread-embedding therapy combined with rehabilitation training. Read More

Ir Med J 2019 08 1;112(7):978. Epub 2019 Aug 1.

Department of Pain Medicine, St Vincent’s University Hospital, Dublin

J Biomed Sci 2019 Oct 18;26(1):74. Epub 2019 Oct 18.

Department of Anesthesiology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City, 701, Taiwan.

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is related to microcirculation impairment caused by tissue hypoxia and peripheral cytokine overproduction in the affected human limb and chronic post-ischemic pain (CPIP) is considered as an animal model for this intractable disease. Previous studies suggest that the pathogenesis of CPIP involves the hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and an exaggerated regional inflammatory and free radical response. The inhibition of HIF-1α is known to relieve CPIP. Read More

A A Pract 2019 Nov;13(10):386-388

Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a severely disabling condition that typically develops after an inciting traumatic event. Ketamine infusion in subanesthetic dose provides sustained analgesia in selected cases of CRPS. In general, ketamine treatment does not significantly affect electrolyte or water balance. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2019 Oct 4:1-6. Epub 2019 Oct 4.

2Mayfield Clinic, Cincinnati, Ohio; and.

Objective: Spinal cord stimulation has been shown to improve pain relief and reduce narcotic analgesic use in cases of complex refractory pain syndromes. However, a subset of patients ultimately undergoes removal of the spinal cord stimulator (SCS) system, presumably because of surgical complications or poor efficacy. This retrospective study addresses the paucity of evidence regarding risk factors and underlying causes of spinal cord stimulation failures that necessitate this explantation. Read More

J Anesth Hist 2019 07 7;5(3):99-108. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Center of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20251 Hamburg, Germany. Electronic address:

Intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) is an established, safe and simple technique, being applicable for various surgeries on the upper and lower limbs. In 1908, IVRA was first described by the Berlin surgeon August Bier, hence the name "Bier's Block". Although his technique was effective, it was cumbersome and fell into disuse when neuroaxial and percutaneous plexus blockades gained widespread popularity in the early 20 century. Read More

J Bodyw Mov Ther 2019 Jul 21;23(3):547-554. Epub 2019 Feb 21.

Department of Physical Therapy, Recanati School for Community Health Professions, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. Electronic address:

Background: Patients suffering from complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) endure myofascial-related pain in at least 50% of cases.

Aims: To evaluate the association of upper limb CRPS with myofascial pain in muscles that might influence arm or hand pain, and to evaluate whether the paraspinal skin and subcutaneous layers' tenderness and allodynia are associated with CRPS.

Methods: A case-control study comprising 20 patients presenting with upper limb CRPS, and 20 healthy controls matched for sex and age, were evaluated in the thoracic paraspinal area and myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) (infraspinatus, rhomboids, subclavius, serratus posterior superior and pectoralis minor) via a skin rolling test. Read More

Pain Physician 2019 09;22(5):E417-E424

Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Background: Sympathetic block is commonly performed in clinical practice for management of intractable pain conditions. However, stellate ganglion block (SGB) alone often does not achieve sufficient sympatholysis of the upper extremity. The paravertebral space continues up to the cervical sympathetic chain and includes the stellate ganglion. Read More

Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2019 12 23;105(8S):S235-S240. Epub 2019 Sep 23.

15, rue Ampère, 92500 Rueil-Malmaison, France.

Elbow osteoarthritis chiefly affects heavy manual labourers and athletes and may be primary or post-traumatic. Arthroscopic debridement for primary elbow osteoarthritis reliably produces pain relief, motion range gains, and good functional outcomes. Total elbow arthroplasty, in contrast, is considered a salvage option in this patient population, as activities must be restricted to protect the implant. Read More

Clin Rehabil 2019 10;33(10):1699-1700

Hong Kong Chinese Medicine Clinical Study Centre, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China.

Ideggyogy Sz 2019 Jul;72(7-8):279-281

Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Neurológiai Klinika, Pécs.

Introduction - Complex regional pain syndrome is a di-stressing neuropathic pain condition without known etiology and evidence based treatment. Case presentation - Here a posttraumatic severe case of complex regional pain syndrome is presented, successfully treated by amitriptyline monotherapy. Amitriptyline is one of the most effective evidence based treatments of peri-pheral diabetic neuropathic pain and other neuropathic pain syndromes. Read More

Curr Sports Med Rep 2019 Sep;18(9):325-329

Houston Methodist Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Houston, TX.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is a severe complication of extremity fracture or other injury. Patients who develop this show marked hyperalgesia and allodynia, altered vasomotor, sudomotor and trophic changes. The condition affects women more than men and is most common in those between the ages of 50 and 70 years but can be seen in younger athletes. Read More

JAAPA 2019 09;32(9):51-52

At the time this article was written, Matthew D. Crane was a medical student at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pa. He is now an anesthesiology resident at University of Rochester (N.Y.) Medical Center. The author has disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

World Neurosurg 2019 Nov 30;131:264-274.e3. Epub 2019 Jul 30.

Department of Neurosurgery, Vicki and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

In the United States, chronic low back pain affects up to 37% of adults and is a multibillion dollar health care expenditure. Spinal cord simulation (SCS) has been established as an effective treatment alternative for chronic neuropathic low back and leg pain, especially for patients with failed back surgery syndrome or chronic regional pain syndrome. The field of SCS has rapidly advanced such that analgesia can now be achieved through numerous different waveforms, each claiming to offer improved outcomes. Read More

Anesthesiology 2019 10;131(4):883-893

From the Departments of Pain Management (J.C., V.S., M.G., O.T.C., F.Z., R.W.R.) Neurosciences (J.C.) Quantitative Health Sciences and Outcomes Research (J.Y., D.Y., E.J.M.), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California (V.S.).

Background: Sympathetic dysfunction may be present in complex regional pain syndrome, and sympathetic blocks are routinely performed in practice. To investigate the therapeutic and predictive values of sympathetic blocks, the authors test the hypotheses that sympathetic blocks provide analgesic effects that may be associated with the temperature differences between the two extremities before and after the blocks and that the effects of sympathetic blocks may predict the success (defined as achieving more than 50% pain reduction) of spinal cord stimulation trials.

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective study of 318 patients who underwent sympathetic blocks in a major academic center (2009 to 2016) to assess the association between pain reduction and preprocedure temperature difference between the involved and contralateral limbs. Read More

Mol Diagn Ther 2019 10;23(5):615-626

Center for Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is characterized by continuous pain that is often accompanied by sensory, motor, vasomotor, sudomotor, and trophic disturbances. If left untreated, it can have a significant impact on the quality of life of patients. The diagnosis of CRPS is currently based on a set of relatively subjective clinical criteria: the New International Association for the Study of Pain clinical diagnostic criteria for CRPS. Read More

Pain 2019 08;160(8):1891-1900

Psychology Unit, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.

Residual lower-limb pain after low back surgery (postsurgical sciatica) and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) involving a lower limb are separate conditions but may share some mechanisms (eg, tissue inflammation, neuroimmune disturbances, and central neuroplasticity). As adrenergically evoked pain contributes, in part, to CRPS, whether an adrenergic mechanism also contributes to postsurgical sciatica was investigated in this study. Immunohistochemistry was used to identify α1-adrenoceptors (α1-AR) on nerve fibres and other targets in the affected and contralateral skin of 25 patients with postsurgical sciatica, and α1-AR expression was investigated in relation to pain and pinprick hyperalgesia after intradermal injection of the α1-AR agonist phenylephrine. Read More

Eur J Pharmacol 2019 Sep 18;859:172555. Epub 2019 Jul 18.

Graduated Program in Health Sciences, University of the Extreme South of Santa Catarina (Unesc), 88006-000, Criciúma (SC), Brazil; Graduated Program in Pharmacology, Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), 97105-900, Santa Maria (RS), Brazil. Electronic address:

Complex regional pain syndrome I (CRPS-I) is a chronic painful pathology still undertreated. CTK 01512-2 is a recombinant version of the spider peptide Phα1β, and it functions as a voltage-gated calcium channel blocker and a transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) antagonist with antinociceptive effect in different pain models. Here, we investigate the mechanisms involved in the acute and chronic nociceptive phases of a model of CPRS-I in mice and assess the antinociceptive effect of CTK 01512-2 using this model. Read More