Clinical results of lumbar sympathetic blocks in lower limb complex regional pain syndrome using infrared thermography as a support tool.

Aim: To describe the clinical outcomes for a group of complex regional pain syndrome patients using infrared thermography as an intraprocedural support tool when undertaking fluoroscopy-guided lumbar sympathetic blocks.

Subjects: 27 patients with lower limb complex regional pain syndrome accompanied by severe pain and persistent functional impairment.

Methods: A series of three fluoroscopic-guided lumbar sympathetic blocks with local anesthetic and corticoids using infrared thermography as an intraprocedural support tool were performed.

Application of machine learning algorithms in thermal images for an automatic classification of lumbar sympathetic blocks.

Purpose: There are no previous studies developing machine learning algorithms in the classification of lumbar sympathetic blocks (LSBs) performance using infrared thermography data. The objective was to assess the performance of different machine learning algorithms to classify LSBs carried out in patients diagnosed with lower limbs Complex Regional Pain Syndrome as successful or failed based on the evaluation of thermal predictors.

Methods: 66 LSBs previously performed and classified by the medical team were evaluated in 24 patients.

Skin Temperature Assessment During Lumbar Sympathetic Blocks by Infrared Thermography.

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a pain disorder that can be triggered by injuries or surgery affecting most often limbs. Its multifaceted pathophysiology makes its diagnosis and treatment a challenging work. To reduce pain, patients diagnosed with CRPS commonly undergo sympathetic blocks which involves the injection of a local anesthetic drug around the nerves.

Effect of the relative position of electrode and stellate ganglion during thermal radiofrequency ablation: a simulation study.

Purpose: Stellate ganglion (SG) block by thermal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is frequently conducted as a therapeutic intervention for sympathetic-maintained and neuropathic pain syndromes. RFA's partial lack of effectiveness could be partly due to the ablation zone (AZ) not completely covering the SG section and therefore preventing the 'cutting' of the afferent pathways. Our objective was to build a theoretical model to conduct computer simulations to assess the effect of the electrode position relative to the SG.