The efficacy of high-intensity laser therapy in wound healing: a narrative review.

High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) has recently been incorporated into wound management therapeutic protocols (Mosca RC et al. (2019) Photobiomodulation Therapy for Wound Care: A Potent, Noninvasive, Photoceutical Approach. Adv Skin Wound Care 32(4):157-167.

Peripheral nerve stimulation for psoas muscle pain.

The psoas muscle is the largest muscle in the lower lumbar spine and is innervated by the ipsilateral lumbar spinal nerve roots (L2-L4). Here, we present a 44-year-old female with left hip pain in the posterolateral aspect of the left hip radiating to the ipsilateral hamstring, and psoas atrophy (based on imaging). She is now reported to have over 50% improvement in pain scores after underdoing temporary peripheral nerve stimulation of the psoas muscle as well as significant improvement in muscle atrophy based on an electromyography (EMG) study.

Association between fatty infiltration in the cervical multifidus and treatment response following cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection.

Background: Recent attention has been directed towards fatty infiltration in the cervical extensor muscles for predicting clinical outcomes in several cervical disorders. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between fatty infiltration in the cervical multifidus and treatment response following cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection (CIESI) in patients with cervical radicular pain.

Methods: The data of patients with cervical radicular pain who received CIESIs between March 2021 and June 2022 were reviewed.

Atypical presentation of complex regional pain syndrome: neuropathic itching - A case report.

Background: In some patients with neuropathic pain (NP), such as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), itching rather than pain is the main symptom making diagnosis and treatment difficult.

Case: We report a case of a 23-year-old male with a history of hypoxic brain damage who presented with pruritus of the left foot and ankle. His left foot was fractured, and he underwent surgery 6 months previously.

Evaluation of Contralateral Oblique and Lateral Views for Mid-Thoracic Epidural Access: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: The mid-thoracic region has been known to be the most difficult area when accessing epidural space despite using fluoroscopy. Contralateral oblique (CLO) view has been considered for use; however, it has not been evaluated in the mid-thoracic region.

Objective: To evaluate the CLO view for mid-thoracic epidural access (TEA).

Predictors of Response to a Medial Branch Block: MRI Analysis of the Lumbar Spine.

The aim of this study was to determine the association between radiologic spinal pathology and the response to medial branches block (MBB). This retrospective observational study compared 165 patients. A successful response was defined as ≥30% or a 2-point reduction in the numeric rating scale (NRS) compared with the baseline at the 1-month follow-up.

Combined epidural adhesiolysis and balloon decompression can be effective in intractable lumbar spinal stenosis patients unresponsive to previous epidural adhesiolysis.

Moderate evidence exists regarding percutaneous epidural adhesiolysis (PEA) being an effective treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Although PEA is successfully performed using balloon-less epidural catheters, many patients with severe adhesions cannot obtain satisfactory results. Combined treatment with balloon-inflatable catheters for PEA and balloon decompression recently demonstrated sufficient pain relief and functional improvement in patients with intractable LSS.

Uncinate Process Area as a New Sensitive Morphological Parameter to Predict Cervical Neural Foraminal Stenosis.

Background: Hypertrophy of the uncovertebral joint has been considered as a major cause of cervical neural foraminal stenosis (CNFS). The cross-sectional area of the uncinate process is a key morphologic parameter in the identification of uncovertebral joint hypertrophy. To evaluate the connection between CNFS and the uncinate process, we devised a new morphological parameter, the uncinate process area (UPA).

A Prospective Randomized Comparison of the Efficacy of Ultrasound- vs Fluoroscopy-Guided Genicular Nerve Block for Chronic Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background: Recently, genicular nerve block and radiofrequency ablation were introduced to alleviate knee pain in patients with chronic knee osteoarthritis. Both ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided genicular nerve blocks have been used. However, whether one is superior to the other remains unknown.

Retrodiscal epidural balloon adhesiolysis through Kambin's triangle in chronic lumbar spinal stenosis: A retrospective analysis and technical considerations.

A previous study showed that transforaminal balloon adhesiolysis via the safe triangle was effective in lumbar spinal stenosis. However, retrodiscal pathology is difficult to treat with this method. Therefore we attempted retrodiscal balloon adhesiolysis via Kambin's triangle.

Optimal cut-off points of lumbar pedicle thickness as a morphological parameter to predict lumbar spinal stenosis syndrome: a retrospective study.

Purpose: Lumbar spinal stenosis syndrome (LSSS) is induced by factors such as ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, facet joint hypertrophy and disc degeneration. However, the role of lumbar pedicle (LP) in LSSS has yet to be evaluated. We devised a new morphological parameter called the lumbar pedicle thickness (LPT) to evaluate the connection between LSSS and the LP.

Epidural blood patch treatment of diplopia that developed after headache resolution in a patient with spontaneous intracranial hypotension.

Sudden headache onset may rarely be caused by spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). Other associated symptoms in patients with SIH are nausea, vomiting, vertigo, hearing alteration, and visual disturbance. This case report describes a 43-year-old female diagnosed with SIH who developed diplopia after resolution of an abrupt-onset headache, which was managed with conservative treatments, including bed rest and hydration.

A case report: the use of ultrasound guided peripheral nerve block during above knee amputation in a severely cardiovascular compromised patient who required continuous anticoagulation.

Rationale: Although lower-extremity surgeries are mainly performed under general or central neuraxial anesthesia, ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve block (PNB) can be a good alternative, especially for patients who require continuous anticoagulation treatment and present with poor cardiovascular conditions.

Patients Concerns: The patient required continuous anticoagulation treatment due to the high risk of thromboembolism and poor cardiovascular conditions.

Diagnoses: The patient required lower-extremity amputation due to atherosclerotic and thromboembolic obstruction.

Ultrasound-Guided Genicular Nerve Block for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial of Local Anesthetic Alone or in Combination with Corticosteroid.

Background: Recently, several studies suggested that radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the genicular nerves is a safe and effective therapeutic procedure for intractable pain associated with chronic knee osteoarthritis (OA). Diagnostic genicular nerve block (GNB) with local anesthetic has been generally conducted before making decisions regarding RF ablation. Although GNB has been recently performed together with corticosteroid, the analgesic effects of corticosteroids for treating chronic pain remain controversial.

Comparison of the effect of spinal anesthesia and general anesthesia on 5-year tumor recurrence rates after transurethral resection of bladder tumors.

Non-muscle invasive bladder tumors are early-stage tumors with high recurrence rates. Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURB) is performed under spinal or general anesthesia; however, the effect of the two anesthetic techniques on non-muscle invasive bladder tumor recurrence is unknown. Thus, we compared their effects on tumor recurrence rates five years after TURB.

Effects of applying nerve blocks to prevent postherpetic neuralgia in patients with acute herpes zoster: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a common and painful complication of acute herpes zoster. In some cases, it is refractory to medical treatment. Preventing its occurrence is an important issue.

Comparison of postoperative acute kidney injury between ileal conduit and neobladder urinary diversions after radical cystectomy: A propensity score matching analysis.

Ileal conduit and neobladder urinary diversions are frequently performed after radical cystectomy. However, complications after radical cystectomy may be different according to the type of urinary diversion. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after surgery and increases costs, morbidity, and mortality of hospitalized patients.

Sudden cardiovascular collapse caused by severe anaphylaxis after cisatracurium use: a case report.

Kounis syndrome is an acute coronary syndrome concurrently occurs with allergic or hypersensitivity reactions. In patient with this syndrome, inflammatory mediators released due to an allergic reaction implicate to induce coronary artery spasm and atheromatous plaque rupture. We describe a patient with coronary artery disease who developed acute perioperative myocardial infarction leading to cardiac arrest after the anaphylactic reaction to cisatracurium, which led to a suspicion of Kounis syndrome.