Predictive Factors of Successful Spinal Cord Stimulation in Patients with Chronic Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is applied for managing chronic intractable pain, but the factors predicting its effectiveness have not been extensively researched. Our study aimed to identify clinical variables that can predict the outcome of SCS. The electronic medical records of patients who received SCS for chronic intractable pain at two large tertiary teaching institutions in South Korea from 2008 to 2022 were reviewed.

Evaluation of the efficacy of the lumbar sympathetic ganglion block and the use of perfusion index as a predictor of its technical success: a prospective observational study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the 4-week clinical efficacy of the lumbar sympathetic ganglion block (LSGB), assess the perfusion index (PI) as a marker for the LSGB's technical success, and examine the relationship between the PI change and post-procedure pain relief.

Methods: In this prospective observational study, pain scores of 40 patients who underwent LSGB were measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) at pre-procedure, 20 minutes post-procedure, and at 1 and 4 weeks. The primary outcome was a positive LSGB response, defined as a reduction of ≥ 2 on the NRS at 20 minutes post-procedure.

Multicenter Prospective Randomized Comparison of Ultrasound-Guided Stellate Ganglion Versus Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Sympathetic Blockade in Chronic Upper Extremity Pain.

Background: Stellate ganglion block (SGB) is a type of sympathetic block used to relieve pain in the face and upper extremities. However, its effectiveness can be limited by the presence of Kuntz fibers that bypass the stellate ganglion. Thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) offers an alternative in such cases.

Clinical implication of regional osteopenia in complex regional pain syndrome: a retrospective comparative study.

Background: Despite the significant role of impaired bone metabolism in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), the clinical implications of osteopenia remain a focal point of investigation. We examined the prevalence and risk factors of affected limb osteopenia in CRPS and its association with the response to sympathetic blockade.

Methods: 167 patients with CRPS who underwent CT of their affected limbs were retrospectively reviewed.

Evaluation of thoracic sympathetic ganglion block as a predictor for response to ketamine infusion therapy and spinal cord stimulation in patients with chronic upper extremity pain.

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of thoracic sympathetic ganglion block (TSGB) in response to ketamine infusion therapy (KIT) and spinal-cord stimulation (SCS) in patients with chronic upper-extremity pain including complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

Design: Retrospective.

Setting: Tertiary hospital single-center.

Thoracic sympathetic ganglion blocks: real-world outcomes in 207 chronic pain patients.

Background: Thoracic sympathetic ganglion block (TSGB) is a procedure to manage sympathetically maintained upper extremity pain (sympathetically maintained pain). To date, only a few studies have evaluated the clinical effectiveness of TSGB in pain medicine. This study investigated (1) the relationship between technical success of TSGB and pain reduction in patients with chronic upper extremity pain and (2) relevant clinical factors for a positive TSGB outcome.

Soft Pneumatic Haptic Wearable to Create the Illusion of Human Touch.

The ability to deliver sensations of human-like touch within virtual reality remains an important challenge to immersive, realistic experiences. Since conventional haptic actuators impart distinctively unnatural effects, we instead tackle this challenge through the design of a rendering mechanism using soft pneumatic actuators (SPA), embedded within a wearable jacket. The resulting system is then evaluated for its ability to mimic realistic touch gesture sensations of grab, touch, tap, and tickle as performed by human fingertips.

Nonorganic (Behavioral) Signs and Their Association With Epidural Corticosteroid Injection Treatment Outcomes and Psychiatric Comorbidity in Cervical Radiculopathy: A Multicenter Study.

Objective: To determine the association between cervical nonorganic pain signs and epidural corticosteroid injection outcomes and coexisting pain and psychiatric conditions.

Patients And Methods: Seventy-eight patients with cervical radiculopathy who received epidural corticosteroid injection were observed to determine the effects that nonorganic signs have on treatment outcome. A positive outcome was a decrease of 2 or more points in average arm pain, coupled with a score of 5 on a 7-point Patient Global Impression of Change scale 4 weeks after treatment.

Sympathetic Blocks as a Predictor for Response to Ketamine Infusion in Patients with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Ketamine infusions are frequently employed for refractory complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), but there are limited data on factors associated with treatment response. Sympathetic blocks are also commonly employed in CRPS for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes and generally precede ketamine infusions.

Objectives: We sought to determine whether demographic and clinical factors, and technical and psychophysical characteristics of sympathetic blocks are associated with response to ketamine infusion.

Myth and Truth in Opioid Consumption with Intrathecal Morphine Pump Implantation in Chronic Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study with Claims Database in South Korea.

Objective: To investigate the opioid consumption and the healthcare resource utilization in patients with the intrathecal drug delivery system (IDDS) therapy and the comprehensive medical management (CMM) alone.

Design: A retrospective cohort study with a customized claims database.

Setting: In a university-based hospital.

Can the Rhomboid Major Muscle Be Used to Identify the Thoracic Spinal Segment on Ultrasonography? A Prospective Observational Study.

Objective: We investigated the thoracic segment corresponding to the inferior margin of the rhomboid major muscle (RMM) using ultrasound (US) to evaluate its potential as a reliable anatomic landmark for segment identification.

Design: A prospective observational study.

Setting: An operating room.

Perceived Intensity Model of Dual-Frequency Superimposed Vibration: Pythagorean Sum.

This paper presents a model for estimating the perceived intensity of a superimposed dual-frequency vibration from the perceived intensities of its two component vibrations. Based on the previous findings in the literature, we hypothesize that the three variables follow the Pythagorean relationship. Two psychophysical experiments were performed for verification with a wide range of single-frequency and superimposed vibrations applied to the fingertip.

Botulinum Toxin Type A for Lumbar Sympathetic Ganglion Block in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Randomized Trial.

Background: The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that botulinum toxin would prolong the duration of a lumbar sympathetic block measured through a sustained increase in skin temperature. The authors performed a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial to investigate the clinical outcome of botulinum toxin type A for lumbar sympathetic ganglion block in patients with complex regional pain syndrome.

Methods: Lumbar sympathetic ganglion block was conducted in patients with lower-extremity complex regional pain syndrome using 75 IU of botulinum toxin type A (botulinum toxin group) and local anesthetic (control group).

Evaluation of an effectiveness and safety of the electroacupuncture in the management of intractable neuropathic pain: A prospective, open-labeled, randomized, cross-over clinical trial.

Background: There is no sufficient evidence on the effectiveness of acupuncture for neuropathic pain. This protocol describes a study that aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture combined with conventional medicine for patients with intractable neuropathic pain, when compared with conventional medicine alone.

Methods/design: This study is a prospective, open-labeled, randomized, cross-over clinical trial.

Ultrasound-Guided Thoracic Paravertebral Block as a Sympathetic Blockade for Upper Extremity Neuropathic Pain: A Prospective Pilot Study.

Purpose: Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block (US-TPVB) is considered a treatment option for the management of acute pain in various pain-related conditions. We conducted a prospective pilot study to evaluate the possibility of US-TPVB as a sympathetic blockade in patients with neuropathic pain disorders in the upper extremities.

Patients And Methods: A total of 12 patients underwent US-TPVB between the T2 and T3 paravertebral space with 10 mL of 1% mepivacaine.

Electroacupuncture May Improve Burning and Electric Shock-Like Neuropathic Pain: A Prospective Exploratory Pilot Study.

To test the effectiveness of electroacupuncture (EA) for managing intractable neuropathic pain (NeP) and assess the protocol for a larger confirmatory trial. A prospective, multicenter, single-armed, add-on, pilot study. At two tertiary university-based hospitals in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

The Long-term Effectiveness of the Automatic Position-Adaptive System in Spinal Cord Stimulation: A Retrospective Comparative Study with a Two-Year Follow-up.

Objective: To compare the nonadaptive manual system with the position-adaptive system in subjects with permanent spinal cord stimulator (SCS) implantation over a two-year follow-up period.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tertiary university-based national hospital.

Current status of pain medicine training in anesthesiology and pain medicine residency programs in university hospitals of Korea: a survey of residents' opinions.

Background: In Korea, anesthesiologists are expected to be mainstream pain medicine (PM) practitioners. However, anesthesiology and pain medicine (APM) residency programs mostly emphasize anesthesia learning, leading to insufficient PM learning. Therefore, this study evaluated the current status of PM training in APM residency programs in 10 Korean university hospitals.

Complex regional pain syndrome in the young male population: a retrospective study of 200 Korean young male patients.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) in young male patients in South Korea, especially focusing on the association with military service.

Methods: From January 2007 to May 2017, we investigated the electronic medical records of 430 consecutive patients, aged 18 to 30 years, who visited Seoul National University Hospital Pain Center, with a suspected diagnosis of CRPS at the initial visit. The following patient details were available for analysis: demographic and disease-related variables, relevance to military service, medications, and the treatment modalities received.

A Randomized Comparison between 4, 6 and 8 mL of Local Anesthetic for Ultrasound-Guided Stellate Ganglion Block.

Background: Because it affords greater accuracy than landmark-based techniques, ultrasound guidance may reduce the volume of local anesthetic required for sympathetic blockade of the upper extremity. We hypothesized that 4 mL would provide a similar clinical effect when compared to larger volumes.

Methods: One hundred and two patients with chronic neuropathic pain of the upper extremity or face were randomly assigned to receive an ultrasound-guided (USG) stellate ganglion block (SGB) with either 4 mL (group A), 6 mL (group B) or 8 mL (group C) mL of 1.

Clinical outcome of percutaneous lumbar foraminoplasty using a safety-improved device in patients with lumbar foraminal spinal stenosis.

Lumbar foraminal spinal stenosis (LFSS) is defined as the narrowing of the nerve root exit associated with a herniated intervertebral disc, osteoarthritic changes in the facet joints, or a hypertrophied ligamentum flavum, which can provoke neurogenic claudication. To achieve effective and safe decompression of the lumbar spinal foramen, a specially designed instrument (Claudicare, SEAWON Meditech, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea) for percutaneous lumbar foraminoplasty (PLF) was invented. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the newly devised instrument in patients with LFSS.

Predictive Factors of Successful Percutaneous Cervical Nucleoplasty for the Treatment of Pain with Cervical Herniated Disk.

Background: Percutaneous cervical nucleoplasty (PCN) is an effective treatment for cervical herniated intervertebral disc (C-HIVD). In this retrospective study, we evaluated clinical predictors that affect the successful outcome of PCN.

Methods: Fluoroscopically guided PCN was conducted for C-HIVD by one pain physician.

Does Temperature Increase by Sympathetic Neurolysis Improve Pain in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Lumbar sympathetic neurolysis (LSN) is a treatment option for complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). We examined whether LSN-related temperature changes are associated with clinical outcome and investigated relationships between the outcome of LSN and clinical variables in patients with CRPS-I.

Methods: We included 95 patients with CRPS-I affecting a single lower extremity, by the Budapest criteria, and who underwent LSN after successful lumbar sympathetic blocks, in this retrospective study.

Opioid sparing effect and safety of nefopam in patient controlled analgesia after laparotomy: A randomized, double blind study.

Objectives: A double-blind randomised study to evaluate the opioid sparing effect and safety of nefopam when administered via intravenous patient controlled analgesia (PCA) with fentanyl.

Methods: Patients planned for elective open laparotomy, were randomly assigned to receive into fentanyl 25 µg/ml (SF group) or nefopam 2.4 mg/ml plus fentanyl 25 µg/ml (NF group).