Identification of Foramen Ovale With H-Figure Fluoroscopic Landmark Improves Treatment Outcomes in Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Background: Because it is traditionally difficult and time-consuming to identify the foramen ovale (FO) with fluoroscopy, we recently developed the H-figure method to acquire fluoroscopic view of FO with shorter procedure time and less radiation. However, the impact of such an H-figure approach on the clinical outcomes of trigeminal ganglion radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) in treating idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (ITN) remains unclear.

Methods: In a 12-month follow-up retrospective cohort study, patients with ITN had fluoroscopy-guided RFT of trigeminal ganglion via either classic approach (n = 100) or H-figure approach (n = 136) to identify FO.

Preprocedure ultrasound imaging combined with palpation technique in epidural labor analgesia.

Background: For parturients with paroxysmal uterine contraction pain, rapid analgesia is needed. We used preprocedure ultrasound imaging combined with the palpation technique in epidural analgesia for labor, and evaluated the usefulness of this technique in epidural labor analgesia.

Aim: To evaluate the usefulness of preprocedure ultrasound imaging in epidural analgesia for labor.

Blockade of Erythropoietin-Producing Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Receptor B1 in Spinal Dorsal Horn Alleviates Visceral Pain in Rats.

Objective: This experiment was designed to determine whether erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular carcinoma (Eph) receptors were involved in the development of visceral pain.

Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups receiving different treatments ( = 16 per group): intracolonic vehicle (control group), intracolonic 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) (TNBS group), and intracolonic TNBS and intrathecal EphB1 receptor blocking reagent (TNBS + EphB2-Fc group). Visceral hyperalgesia was evaluated with quantification of visceral pain threshold induced by colorectal distention.

Cervicogenic dizziness alleviation after coblation discoplasty: a retrospective study.

Objective: Little is known about the therapeutic relationship between coblation discoplasty and cervicogenic dizziness (CGD). CGD can be caused by abnormal proprioceptive inputs from compressed nerve roots, intradiscal mechanoreceptors and nociceptors to the vestibulospinal nucleus in the degenerative cervical disc. The aim was to analyze the efficacy of coblation discoplasty in CGD through intradiscal nerve ablation and disc decompression in a 12-month follow-up retrospective study.

Computed Tomography-Guided Percutaneous Coblation of the Thoracic Nerve Root for Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia.

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is one of the most intractable pain disorders and often does not respond to medication, physical, and interventional procedures. Coblation technology has been demonstrated to have potential for neuralgia, but there are rare reports of the efficacy and security of coblation for PHN. The thoracic segment is the most common predilection part of PHN, so we conducted this long-term study to investigate the results of coblation for the treatment of thoracic PHN.

Nerve coblation for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: A case report.

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a severe type of neuropathic pain which is often inadequately managed using conventional therapies. In this report, we present the first case of TN treated with gasserian ganglion nerve coblation (NC).

Case Summary: A 58-year-old man presented with right facial pain, mostly localized in the right zygomatic zone, alveolar region, and jaws.

Level of sensory block after spinal anesthesia as a predictor of hypotension in parturient.

When the sensory block level (SBL) is ≥T5 or T4, a high incidence of hypotension occurs in parturients after spinal anesthesia. A rapidly ascending SBL is another risk factor for spinal anesthesia-induced hypotension. However, the relationship between the ascension rate of the SBL and spinal anesthesia-induced hypotension remains unclear.

Chronic Monoarthritis Pain Accelerates the Processes of Cognitive Impairment and Increases the NMDAR Subunits NR2B in CA3 of Hippocampus from 5-month-old Transgenic APP/PS1 Mice.

Many factors impact cognitive impairment; however, the effects of chronic pain and the mechanisms underlying these effects on cognitive impairment are currently unknown. Here we tested the hypothesis that chronic pain accelerates the transition from normal cognition to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in 5-month-old transgenic APP/PS1 mice, an animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and that neurotoxicity induced by N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) subunits may be involved in this process. Chronic monoarthritis pain was induced in transgenic APP/PS1 mice and 5-month-old wild-type (WT) mice by intra- and pre-articular injections of Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) into one knee joint.

Trigeminal somatosensory-evoked potential: A neurophysiological tool to monitor the extent of lesion of ganglion radiofrequency thermocoagulation in idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia: A case-control study.

To reflect the extent of thermolesion of ganglion by testing the change of trigeminal somatosensory-evoked potential (TSEP) before and after ganglion radiofrequency thermocoagulation surgery (GRT), and evaluate long-term clinic effect by follow-up visiting of 1 year.Patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in the second division were enrolled between October 2014 and October 2015. They were treated with computed tomography-guided GRT and a follow-up visiting of 1 year.

Computed Tomography-Guided Percutaneously Controlled Ablation of the Thoracic Paravertebral Nerve Due to Thoracic Neuropathic Pain.

Background: Patients with thoracic neuropathic pain often do not respond to medication and physical therapy. Coblation technology has been demonstrated to have potential for pain management.

Methods: Fifteen patients underwent computed tomography-guided percutaneous coblation to ablate the thoracic paravertebral nerve for their medication-resistant thoracic neuropathic pain.

The optimal radiofrequency temperature in radiofrequency thermocoagulation for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia: A cohort study.

Objective: Our previous study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) of trigeminal gasserian ganglion for idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (ITN). The aim of this study was to evaluate the optimal radiofrequency temperature of computed tomography (CT)-guided RFT for treatment of ITN.

Methods: A retrospective study of patients with ITN treated with a single CT-guided RFT procedure between January 2002 and December 2013.

Clinical study of cerebrospinal fluid neuropeptides in patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia.

Objectives: To investigate the expression levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and β-endorphin in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood of patients with primary trigeminal neuralgia (TN).

Patients And Methods: We included 20 patients with primary TN who underwent percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation and collected four types of samples from all of them: sample A: CSF samples; sample B: peripheral blood samples; sample C: peripheral blood samples collected one day before the operation; sample D: peripheral blood samples withdrawn one day after the operation. Another 20 CSF samples of patients with nervous system disease or gynecological disease were collected as a control (sample E).

High-Frequency Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Reduces Pain in Postherpetic Neuralgia.

Objectives: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is one of the most intractable pain disorders, especially in elderly patients. There is evidence that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) reduces neuropathic pain; however, its effectiveness for PHN is unknown. This study investigated the efficacy of high-frequency rTMS in patients with PHN.

The Long-Term Effective Rate of Different Branches of Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia After Single Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation: A Cohort Study.

To evaluate the efficacy of computed tomography (CT) guided single radiofrequency thermocoagualtion (RFT) in 1137 patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia after a follow-up period of 11 years, specially focused on duration of pain relief in different branches of trigeminal nerve, side effect, and complications. Retrospective study of patients with idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia treated with a single CT guided RFT procedure between January 2002 and December 2013. The mean follow-up time was 46.

Oxygen carrying capacity of salvaged blood in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: a prospective observational study.

Background: Intraoperative cell salvage (ICS), hereby referred to 'mechanical red cell salvage', has been widely used and proven to be an effective way to reduce or avoid the need for allogeneic red blood cells (RBCs)transfusion and its associated complications in surgeries involving major blood loss. However, little is known about the influence of this technique on the functional state of salvaged RBCs. Furthermore, there are no articles that describe the change of free hemoglobin (fHb) in salvage blood during storage, which is a key index of the quality control of salvaged blood.

CT-Guided Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermocoagulation for Recurrent Trigeminal Neuralgia After Microvascular Decompression: A Cohort Study.

This article evaluates the long-term outcomes of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PRT) for patients with recurrent trigeminal neuralgia (TN) after microvascular decompression (MVD).This is a retrospective study of 41 patients with intractable TN who after MVD underwent CT-guided PRT procedures between 2002 and 2012.The mean length of follow-up after PRT was 44.

Efficacy and safety of ozonated autohemotherapy in patients with hyperuricemia and gout: A phase I pilot study.

Gout is a common form of arthritis; however, there are currently no effective therapies available. Ozonated autohemotherapy (O-AHT) is a controversial, but successful method of treatment for a number of diseases. The present study is the first pilot study investigating the application of O-AHT in patients with hyperuricemia and gout.

Long-term outcome of computed tomography-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation for classic trigeminal neuralgia patients older than 70 years.

The incidence of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in elderly patients is higher. However, for those with poor fitness, the optimal surgical treatment for those refractory to medical treatment is controversial. The aim of current study was to investigate the long-term outcome of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PRT) for 304 TN patients 70 years or older.

Repeated CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation for recurrent trigeminal neuralgia.

Aims: To investigate the long-term outcomes of repeated percutaneous radiofrequency thermocoagulation (PRT) for recurrent trigeminal neuralgia (TN) patients.

Methods: Between 2002 and 2012, 33 patients with recurrent TN following an initial PRT procedure were retrospectively studied and underwent 43 repeated PRT procedures.

Results: The mean length of follow-up after repeated PRT was 34 months.

Anterior herniation of lumbar disc induces persistent visceral pain: discogenic visceral pain: discogenic visceral pain.

Background: Visceral pain is a common cause for seeking medical attention. Afferent fibers innervating viscera project to the central nervous system via sympathetic nerves. The lumbar sympathetic nerve trunk lies in front of the lumbar spine.

Risk factors and pain status due to diabetic neuropathy in chronic long-term diabetic patients in a Chinese urban population.

Background: With economic growth and urbanization there have been significant changes in the life style and diet of urban residents in large cities of China, which is experiencing a rapid increase in the prevalence of diabetes. While high prevalence of diabetes has been reported, little is known of the long-term effects of diabetes in such a large population. The aim of this study was to estimate the morbidity rate of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in a Chinese urban diabetic population with more than 10 years' disease duration, and evaluate the relevant risk factors.

The application of percutaneous lysis of epidural adhesions in patients with failed back surgery syndrome.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy and the feasibility of application of percutaneous lysis of epidural adhesions in failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) using a stiff type guide wire and 4F vascular catheter.

Methods: Ninety two patients with FBSS were randomly divided into two groups, the control group (treated by injection dexamethasone only) and percutaneous lysis of epidural adhesions group. Visual analog scale scores (VAS) and therapeutic evaluation were observed in the preoperative, seven days postoperative, one month and six months postoperative.

Assessment of consecutive neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) technique outcomes in the management of refractory visceral cancer pain.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess outcomes and safety of consecutive neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) technique.

Design: Retrospective clinical data analysis.

Setting: The study was conducted in three pain departments and academic medical center.