Magnetic resonance spectroscopy detects biochemical changes in the brain associated with chronic low back pain: a preliminary report.

Magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy is a noninvasive technique that can be used to detect and measure the concentration of metabolites and neurotransmitters in the brain and other organs. We used in vivo (1)H MR spectroscopy in subjects with low back pain compared with control subjects to detect alterations in biochemistry in three brain regions associated with pain processing. A pattern recognition approach was used to determine whether it was possible to discriminate accurately subjects with low back pain from control subjects based on MR spectroscopy.

Phantom limb sensation.

1. Phantom limb pain and sensations are common in amputees. The present paper defines phantom limb pain, stump pain and phantom limb sensation and then gives an overview of the incidence and characteristics of the phenomena.

Intra-subject variability in post-operative patient-controlled analgesia (PCA): is the patient equally satisfied with morphine, pethidine and fentanyl?

Our previous study suggested that when compared between patients, morphine, pethidine and fentanyl were equally satisfactory for use in patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), although quantitative differences in their side-effect profiles were detectable. The present study evaluated whether individual patients could detect differences or express preferences for individual opioids when treated by PCA with all three in random sequence finishing with the first administered opioid. The main side effects were pruritus, nausea and vomiting.

A comparison of morphine, pethidine and fentanyl in the postsurgical patient-controlled analgesia environment.

This study was designed to evaluate whether there is any scientific basis for clinicians' preferences for selecting opioids for use in patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) and to determine whether there are any patients' preferences for being treated with any of these opioids. Results were obtained for 55 postoperative patients recruited to investigate putatively equivalent doses of 3 commonly used opioids--morphine, pethidine and fentanyl--when self-administered postoperatively. No significant differences in the incidence of side effects between groups were found with the exception of more pruritus reported in the group given morphine.