The Diagnostic Value of an X-ray-based Scoring System for Degeneration of the Cervical Spine: A Reproducibility and Validation Study.

Background: In interventional pain medicine, cervical facet joint (CFJ) pain is commonly treated with CFJ denervation techniques, almost automatically assuming degeneration of the CFJs as an important cause of CFJ pain. A standard cervical X-ray is still commonly used in the clinical evaluation of patients suspected for CFJ degeneration. Although degenerative features can be visualized by different radiological imaging techniques, the relation between radiological degenerative features of the cervical spine and pain remains controversial.

Efficacy and Long-term Effect of Radiofrequency Denervation in Patients with Clinically Diagnosed Cervical Facet Joint Pain: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Design: Multicenter double-blind randomized sham-controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of radiofrequency (RF) denervation of the cervical facet joints in chronic cervical facet joint pain.

Summary Of Background Data: One randomized controlled trial showed efficacy of RF denervation in whiplash-associated disease.

Biopsychosocial baseline values of 15 000 patients suffering from chronic pain: Dutch DataPain study.

Background And Objectives: Chronic pain affects many adults. To improve our daily practice, we need to understand multidisciplinary approaches, integrated treatment plans and the biopsychosocial context of these patients. To date, almost 15 000 chronic pain patients have been referred to the Maastricht University Pain Center in the Netherlands.

"Evidence-Based Interventional Pain Medicine According to Clinical Diagnoses": Update 2018.

Introduction: Between 2009 and 2011 a series of 26 articles on evidence-based medicine for interventional pain medicine according to clinical diagnoses were published. The high number of publications since the last literature search justified an update.

Methods: For the update an independent 3rd party, specialized in systematic reviews was asked in 2015 to perform the literature search and summarize relevant evidence using Cochrane and GRADE methodology to compile guidelines on interventional pain management.

Sex matters in complex regional pain syndrome.

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is much more prevalent in women than men but potential differences in clinical phenotype have not been thoroughly explored to date. Differences in the clinical presentation between sexes may point at new avenues for a more tailored management approach of CRPS. We therefore explored if in CRPS, the patient's sex is associated with differences in clinical and psychological characteristics.

A multicenter randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of intradiscal methylene blue injection for chronic discogenic low back pain: the IMBI study.

A study published in PAIN in 2010 showed remarkable effects of intradiscal methylene blue (MB) injections compared with placebo on pain intensity in patients with chronic discogenic low back pain (CD-LBP). Both groups received lidocaine hydrochloride injections for pain associated with the procedure. We replicated the design of the previously published study and performed a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess whether the extraordinary effects of MB on pain intensity could be confirmed.

The Pain Dynamics of Small Fiber Neuropathy.

Pain is a central feature in small fiber neuropathy (SFN), with only moderate effects of pharmacologic treatment. The evaluation of the efficacy of therapies on pain has been driven by static measures, and a circadian cycle has been suggested. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pain dynamics in SFN.

The Impact of Chronic Discogenic Low Back Pain: Costs and Patients' Burden.

Introduction: Chronic discogenic low back pain (CDP) is frequently diagnosed in patients referred to specialized pain clinics for their back pain. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of CDP both on the individual patient and on society.

Materials And Methods: Using the baseline records of 80 patients in a randomized trial assessing the effectiveness of a new intervention for CDP, healthcare and societal costs related to back pain are calculated.

Quality indicators to assess quality of pain clinic care from the perspective of patients with chronic pain: development, usability, comprehensibility, and psychometric quality of the QiPPP questionnaire.

To address the lack of appropriate patient-defined quality indicators (QIs) for assessment of pain clinic care in the Netherlands, we developed the "Quality Indicators Pain Patients' Perspective" (QiPPP) questionnaire. Quality indicators are widely used to measure the quality of the structure, process, and outcome of health care. The Pain Patient United Consortium, together with the University Pain Centre of Maastricht, developed QIs for assessment of care.

Optical signature of nerve tissue-Exploratory ex vivo study comparing optical, histological, and molecular characteristics of different adipose and nerve tissues.

Background: During several anesthesiological procedures, needles are inserted through the skin of a patient to target nerves. In most cases, the needle traverses several tissues-skin, subcutaneous adipose tissue, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels-to reach the target nerve. A clear identification of the target nerve can improve the success of the nerve block and reduce the rate of complications.

Safe Use of Epidural Corticosteroid Injections: Recommendations of the WIP Benelux Work Group.

Background: Epidural corticosteroid injections are used frequently worldwide in the treatment of radicular pain. Concerns have arisen involving rare major neurologic injuries after this treatment. Recommendations to prevent these complications have been published, but local implementation is not always feasible due to local circumstances, necessitating local recommendations based on literature review.

Long-Term Spinal Cord Stimulation Alleviates Mechanical Hypersensitivity and Increases Peripheral Cutaneous Blood Perfusion in Experimental Painful Diabetic Polyneuropathy.

Objectives: This study utilizes a model of long-term spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in experimental painful diabetic polyneuropathy (PDPN) to investigate the behavioral response during and after four weeks of SCS (12 hours/day). Second, we investigated the effect of long-term SCS on peripheral cutaneous blood perfusion in experimental PDPN.

Methods: Mechanical sensitivity was assessed in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats (n = 50) with von Frey analysis.

Severity of Neuropathy Is Associated With Long-term Spinal Cord Stimulation Outcome in Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Five-Year Follow-up of a Prospective Two-Center Clinical Trial.

Objective: Evidence from prospective studies for long-term treatment efficacy of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDPN) is not available. We report prospective data on the effect of SCS on pain ratings, treatment success and failure, and complications during a 5-year follow-up in patients with PDPN.

Research Design And Methods: Patients with PDPN ( = 48) were included in this prospective multicenter study.

Co-creative development of an eHealth nursing intervention: Self-management support for outpatients with cancer pain.

Introduction: Co-creative methods, having an iterative character and including different perspectives, allow for the development of complex nursing interventions. Information about the development process is essential in providing justification for the ultimate intervention and crucial in interpreting the outcomes of subsequent evaluations. This paper describes a co-creative method directed towards the development of an eHealth intervention delivered by registered nurses to support self-management in outpatients with cancer pain.

Boundaries of the thoracic paravertebral space: potential risks and benefits of the thoracic paravertebral block from an anatomical perspective.

Purpose: Thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) may be an alternative to thoracic epidural analgesia. A detailed knowledge of the anatomy of the TPV-space (TPVS), content and adnexa is essential in understanding the clinical consequences of TPVB. The exploration of the posterior TPVS accessibility in this study allows (1) determination of the anatomical boundaries, content and adnexa, (2) description of an ultrasound-guided spread of low and high viscous liquid.

No Transfer of Pressure to Adjacent Discs During Human Low-Pressure Controlled Discography: A Prospective Clinical Study.

Background: A substantial part of low back pain (LBP) originates from degeneration of the intervertebral disc. To confirm the diagnosis of discogenic pain, provocation discography seems the best available tool. However, provocation discography is also considered to be a controversial and subjective test because the patient's personal pain response is the most crucial for the result of the test.

Patient expectations for management of chronic non-cancer pain: A systematic review.

Background: Chronic pain is a major economic and social health problem. Up to 79% of chronic pain patients are unsatisfied with their pain management. Meeting patients' expectations is likely to produce greater satisfaction with care.

A Trial-Based Economic Evaluation Comparing Spinal Cord Stimulation With Best Medical Treatment in Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

Unlabelled: The objective was to perform an economic evaluation comparing spinal cord stimulation (SCS) in combination with best medical treatment (BMT) with BMT in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients. Alongside a prospective 2-center randomized controlled trial, involving 36 painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy patients with severe lower limb pain not responding to conventional therapy, an economic evaluation was performed. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were based on: 1) societal costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and 2) direct health care costs and the number of successfully treated patients, respectively, both with a time horizon of 12 months.

A proposal for the organization of the referral of patients with chronicnon-specific low back pain.

Low back pain in general and specifically chronic low back pain forms a major burden for the patient and society. Recently studies demonstrated that up to 65% of patients evolve to chronic pain as opposed to the previously accepted 8%. As low back pain patients present first with their general practitioner, the latter should establish a treatment plan, including the appropriate referrals.

A Modified Posterolateral Approach for Radiofrequency Denervation of the Medial Branch of the Cervical Segmental Nerve in Cervical Facet Joint Pain Based on Anatomical Considerations.

The cervical facet joints, also called the zygapophyseal joints, are a potential source of neck pain (cervical facet joint pain). The cervical facet joints are innervated by the cervical medial branches (CMBs) of the cervical segmental nerves. Cervical facet joint pain has been shown to respond to multisegmental radiofrequency denervation of the cervical medial branches.

Feasibility of a mobile and web-based intervention to support self-management in outpatients with cancer pain.

Purpose: Cancer pain is a prevalent and distressing symptom. To enhance self-management in outpatients, a multi-component intervention was developed, integrating patient self-management and professional care through healthcare technology. This article describes feasibility of the intervention in everyday practice.