Comparative Efficacy of Spinal Cord Stimulation in the Management of Acute Pain and Chronic Pain Related to Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a well-established treatment for chronic pain. However, its potential in acute pain management requires further investigation. The goal of this review is to assess and compare the effectiveness of SCS for managing acute postoperative pain against chronic pain associated with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS).

Opioid Prescribing to Medicare Part D Enrollees, 2013-2017: Shifting Responsibility to Pain Management Providers.

Objective: To examine opioid prescribing frequency and trends to Medicare Part D enrollees from 2013 to 2017 by medical specialty and provider type.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional, specialty- and provider-level analysis of Medicare Part D prescriber data for opioid claims from 2013 to 2017. We analyzed opioid claims and prescribing trends for specialties accounting for ≥1% of all opioid claims.

Mexiletine Usage in a Chronic Pain Clinic: Indications, Tolerability, and Side Effects.

Background: Intravenous lidocaine has multiple applications in the management of acute and chronic pain. Mexiletine, an oral lidocaine analogue, has been used in a number of chronic pain conditions although its use is not well characterized.

Objectives: To report our experience using mexiletine in a chronic pain population, specifically looking at tolerability, side effects, and EKG changes.

Risk stratification of pubertal children and postpubertal adolescents with clinical stage I testicular nonseminomatous germ cell tumors.

Purpose: The COG (Children's Oncology Group) currently recommends surveillance for all children and adolescents with clinical stage I testicular germ cell tumors. However, up to 30% of adults with clinical stage I testicular germ cell tumors harbor occult metastatic disease. In adults with clinical stage I nonseminoma some groups advocate a risk stratified approach.

Vestibular flap urethroplasty in women with recurrent distal intramural urethral pathology.

Introduction: To report our experience with vestibular flap urethroplasty in case of recurrence of distal intramural urethral pathology (DIU) after unsuccessful urethral dilation under anesthesia.

Methods: Following Independent Review Board approval, charts of non-neurogenic women who underwent urethroplasty for DIU were reviewed. Vestibular flap urethroplasty was offered to patients who failed one or two dilations.

A comparison of pediatric, adolescent, and adult testicular germ cell malignancy.

Background: Testicular germ cell tumors (T-GCTs) occur from infancy to adulthood, and are the most common solid tumor in adolescent and young adult males. Traditionally, pediatric T-GCTs were perceived as more indolent than adult T-GCTs. However, there are few studies comparing these groups and none that specifically evaluate adolescents.

Distal intramural urethral pathology in women.

Purpose: We reviewed the evaluation of distal intramural urethral pathology in women and its management using urethral dilation and general anesthesia.

Materials And Methods: After receiving institutional review board approval we reviewed consecutive charts of women who underwent urethral dilation under general anesthesia for distal intramural urethral pathology. The pathological condition was defined as bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms with distal urethral narrowing and proximal ballooning on lateral voiding cystourethrogram.

Effect of testicular germ cell tumor therapy on renal function.

Objective: To assess the pre- and post-therapy glomerular filtration rate in patients with testicular germ cell tumors to determine its effect on the natural history of renal function.

Methods: We reviewed an institutional database of patients with testicular germ cell tumor, with pre- and post-therapy serum creatinine levels available. The renal function was estimated using a calculated glomerular filtration rate.