The Italian Questionnaire for Cancer Breakthrough Pain Diagnosis, a Multicenter Validation Study.

Introduction: The literature lacks formally validated and reliable tools for the diagnosis of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP). The Italian Questionnaire for BTcP diagnosis (IQ-BTP) is an 11-item questionnaire aimed at detecting potential-BTP and classifying it into three likelihood classes: high, intermediate, and low.

Methods: A multicenter, prospective, and observational study was designed to validate the IQ-BTP.

Chronic post-traumatic neuropathic pain of brachial plexus and upper limb: a new technique of peripheral nerve stimulation.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect on pain relief in patients with peripheral neuropathic pain after brachial plexus injuries using an implanted peripheral nerve stimulator applied directly to the nerve branch involved into the axillary cavity. Seven patients with post-traumatic brachial plexus lesions or distal peripheral nerve complaining of severe intractable chronic pain were enrolled in a single-centre, open-label trial. Conventional drugs and traditional surgical treatment were not effective.

Peripheral trigeminal nerve field stimulation: report of 6 cases.

Object: Peripheral nerve field stimulation has been successfully used for many neuropathic syndromes. However, it has been reported as a treatment for trigeminal neuropathic pain or persistent idiopathic facial pain only in the recent years.

Methods: The authors present a review of the literature and their own series of 6 patients who were treated with peripheral nerve stimulation for facial neuropathic pain, reporting excellent pain relief and subsequent better social relations and quality of life.

The management of pain from collapse of osteoporotic vertebrae with continuous intrathecal morphine infusion.

Objectives.  Vertebral fractures are the most common consequences of severe osteoporosis. The chronic pain from collapse of osteoporotic vertebrae affects quality of life (QoL) and autonomy of patients.