Job Satisfaction Among Pain Medicine Physicians in the US.

Purpose: Data are lacking on the factors that contribute to job satisfaction among pain medicine physicians. We sought to determine how sociodemographic and professional characteristics relate to job satisfaction among pain medicine physicians.

Methods: In this nationwide, multicenter, cross-sectional observational study, an electronic questionnaire related to job satisfaction was emailed in 2021 to pain medicine physicians who were members of the American Society of Anesthesiologists or the American Society of Pain and Neuroscience.

Characterizing an angle of cannula insertion for Lumbar Medial Branch Radiofrequency Neurotomy: A retrospective observational study.

Objective: Evidence characterizing a starting angle of radiofrequency (RF) cannula insertion during radiofrequency neurotomy is lacking. Using computerized tomography (CT), this retrospective observational study attempts to establish a starting angle for RF cannula placement parallel to the transverse process (TP) at the junction of the superior articular process (SAP) near the targeted medial branch.

Methods: This retrospective observational study utilized lumbar spine CT scans performed on adult cancer patients from January 2016 to May 2021 ​at a single center.

Using Radiology images to characterize an angle of insertion for S1/S2 and SI joint injections: A retrospective observational study.

Objective: Sacroiliac (SI) joint, S1 and S2 nerve root pathology are well documented in literature as common etiologies for low back pain. Evidence demonstrating starting angle of needle insertion during S1/S2 transforaminal and SI joint injections are lacking. Using computerized tomography (CT) radiography of the lumbosacral spine, this retrospective observational study seeks to characterize a starting angle of needle insertion at the sacral spine.

Intravenous Ketamine for Cancer Pain Management, Including Flares During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Retrospective Study.

Objectives: Cancer-related neuropathic pain (CNP) affects an increasing proportion of cancer patients, given improved survival, but it remains difficult to treat. There are no studies on an extended intravenous ketamine protocol and its synergies with common neuropathy treatments to treat CNP. This study aims to 1) evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an intravenous ketamine protocol to treat refractory CNP and 2) uncover synergies between ketamine and common neuropathy treatments.

Tapentadol, Buprenorphine, and Levorphanol for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain: a Systematic Review.

Purpose Of Review: The objective of this systematic review is to present the available evidence for the utilization of the atypical opioids tapentadol, buprenorphine, and levorphanol for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Recent Findings: In total, 1619 articles were retrieved of which 10 studies were included. Of 5 included studies pertaining to tapentadol, 4 studies show tapentadol monotherapy to be effective for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy or chronic, radiating low back pain.

Cannabis Use and Low-Back Pain: A Systematic Review.

The potential use of cannabis and cannabinoid products for the treatment of low-back pain is an important area for investigation. As one of the leading reasons to visit a primary care provider, low-back pain results in a significant burden of disease in both the United States' economic and health care systems. Given the current opioid epidemic, it is important to seek novel analgesics and understand their efficacy for myriad pain conditions, including low-back pain.

Epidural Steroid Injections for the Management of Spinal Malignancy-Related Pain: A Pragmatic Review and Retrospective Study.

Background: Spinal malignancy-related pain results from tumor, fracture, instability, inflammation, and/or nerve root/spinal cord compression. Systemic corticosteroids are commonly used but have many undesirable adverse effects that impact quality of life and continuation of cancer treatments. Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) may be a viable alternative pain treatment.

Advanced Progression of Scoliosis After Intrathecal Baclofen in an Adult With Stiff Person Syndrome: A Case Report.

Stiff person syndrome is a neuroimmunological disorder characterized by progressive muscular rigidity and spasms that affect axial/limb muscles, resulting in severe pain and functional limitations. When refractory to conservative treatments, intrathecal baclofen is a viable option to treat the increased tone. Intrathecal baclofen has been shown to accelerate underlying neuromuscular scoliosis in the pediatric population with cerebral palsy.

Inferior and Intra-/Peri-Articular Superior Sacroiliac Joint Injection Approaches Under Ultrasound Guidance to Treat Metastasis-Related Posterior Pelvic Bone Pain.

Background: Numerous mechanical and pathologic variables contribute to sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain. The oncologic population has additional considerations, including tumor burden causing fracture, nerve compression, joint instability, and periosteal inflammation. Post-treatment changes may also restrict joint mobility, causing transitional pain.

Investigation of genicular neurotomy of the knee: MRI characterization of anatomy and implications for intervention.

Background: Genicular nerve block and subsequent radiofrequency neurotomy (RFN) has emerged as a novel intervention and alternative for total knee arthroplasty in patients with refractory pain from knee osteoarthritis (OA). To our knowledge, there is no cited report correlating the accuracy of localizing the genicular nerves using bony landmarks on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Objectives: To quantify the proximity of superomedial genicular nerve (SMGN), superolateral genicular nerve (SLGN), and inferomedial genicular nerve (IMGN) from a target point.

Interventional Pain Treatments in the Management of Oncologic Patients With Thoracic Spinal Tumor-Related Pain: A Case Series.

Background: Advanced tumors of the thoracic spine are difficult to treat and can lead to complex pain syndromes. Following conventional oncologic treatments, pharmacologic therapy may be insufficient to manage pain. Minimally invasive interventional procedures offer alternatives to treat malignant thoracic spinal pain.

Localized Corticosteroid Injections for Malignant Joint Pain in the Oncologic Population: A Case Series.

Pain is a common issue that is present in cancer survivors as well as those with active malignant processes. Despite opioid analgesics and adjuvant therapies such as systemic corticosteroids, many patients have persistent localized pain. We describe a case series of 3 cancer patients who have concurrent hip- and greater trochanteric-related pain.

Temporal Changes in Esophageal Cancer Mortality by Geographic Region: A Population-based Analysis.

Purpose To analyze differences in esophageal cancer survival by geographic region of the U.S. from the 1970s to the 2000s, and attribute the causes of these discrepancies.

A modified Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) four months after Hurricane Sandy.

This study sought to assess access to utilities, basic needs, financial burden, and perceived safety among households in the Rockaway Peninsula of New York City, United States, four months after Hurricane Sandy struck in 2012. A modified cluster survey design was used to select households for inclusion in the study. Survey content was created using the Community Assessment for Public Health Emergency Response (CASPER) toolkit, gathering relevant data on access to food and water, basic utilities, financial burden, household demographics, and safety.

Prolonged length of stay in delayed cholecystectomy is not due to intraoperative or postoperative contributors.

Background: Previous studies have reported that same-day laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is superior to delayed elective cholecystectomy. Although this practice is ideal, it requires significant hospital resources, particularly for an underprivileged inner-city population at a large, municipal hospital. We sought to evaluate the implementation of same-day laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a large, municipal hospital and assess the possible benefits of decreasing preoperative length of stay (LOS), particularly its effect on operative time and length of stay in patients with acute cholecystitis.

Epidemiology of paediatric trauma presenting to US emergency departments: 2006-2012.

Background: Traumatic injury is the leading cause of paediatric morbidity and mortality in the USA. We present updated national data on emergency department (ED) discharges for traumatic injury for a recent 7-year period.

Methods: We conducted a descriptive epidemiological analysis of the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample Survey, the largest and most comprehensive database in the USA, for 2006-2012.

Influence of Direct Oral Anticoagulants on Rates of Oral Anticoagulation for Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Oral anticoagulation (OAC) with warfarin is underused for atrial fibrillation (AF). The availability of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) may improve overall OAC rates in AF patients, but a large-scale evaluation of their effects has not been conducted.

Objectives: This study assessed the effect of DOAC availability on overall OAC rates for nonvalvular AF.

Assessing the feasibility and quality of shared decision making in China: evaluating a clinical encounter intervention for Chinese patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using the Statin Choice decision aid to have discussions about starting a statin medication for cardiovascular risk reduction in Chinese patients with stable coronary artery diseases.

Methods: A prospective, pilot study of the Statin Choice decision aid in two teaching hospitals in Northern China was conducted. A total of seven clinicians were enrolled and underwent a 12-hour, group-based, in-person training on shared decision making (SDM) and the Statin Choice decision aid.

PCI Choice Decision Aid for Stable Coronary Artery Disease: A Randomized Trial.

Background: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for stable coronary artery disease does not reduce the risk of death and myocardial infarction compared with optimal medical therapy (OMT), but many patients think otherwise. PCI Choice, a decision aid (DA), was designed for use during the clinical visit and includes information on quality of life and mortality outcomes for PCI with OMT versus OMT alone for stable coronary artery disease.

Methods And Results: We conducted a randomized trial to assess the impact of the PCI Choice DA compared with usual care when there is a choice between PCI and optimal medical therapy.

The Clinical Efficacy for Two-Level Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections.

Background: Epidural steroid injections have been used in combination with other modalities for the treatment of lumbar radicular pain. The literature has shown that 1-level lumbar fluoroscopically guided transforaminal epidural steroid injections (TFESIs) are effective in decreasing pain and morbidity; however, the efficacy of 2-level TFESIs has not been investigated, although they are performed by many practitioners in the treatment of lumbar radicular pain.

Objectives: To assess the clinical effectiveness of 2-level TFESIs in patients with unilateral, single-level lumbar radicular pain.

Belinostat for the treatment of relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma.

Peripheral T-cell lymphoma is a heterogenous non-Hodgkin Lymphoma with historically poor outcomes. Currently, response rates remain poor with traditional chemotherapy and many of those responding to initial therapy will relapse. Belinostat (Beleodaq, Spectrum Pharmaceuticals) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) approved for use in relapsed or refractory peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL).

Smoking, cessation, and cessation counseling in patients with cancer: A population-based analysis.

Background: Smoking is known to be carcinogenic and an important factor in the outcome of cancer treatment. However, to the authors' knowledge, smoking habits and smoking cessation counseling in patients with cancer have been poorly studied. The authors sought to analyze smoking habits among Americans diagnosed with cancer in a nationally representative dataset.