Neurólise do tronco celíaco com o uso de agulha única versus agulha dupla no manejo da dor abdominal maligna: estudo randômico controlado

BackgroundComputerized tomography‐guided celiac plexus neurolysis has become almost a safe technique to alleviate abdominal malignancy pain. We compared the single needle technique with changing patients’ position and the double needle technique using posterior anterocrural approach.MethodsIn Double Needles Celiac Neurolysis Group (n = 17), we used two needles posterior anterocrural technique injecting 12.5 mL phenol 10% on each side in prone position. In Single Needle Celiac Neurolysis Group (n = 17), we used single needle posterior anterocrural approach. 25 mL of phenol 10% was injected from left side while patients were in left lateral position then turned to right side. The monitoring parameters were failure block rate and duration of patient positioning, technique time, Visual Analog Scale, complications (hypotension, diarrhea, vomiting, hemorrhage, neurological damage and infection) and rescue analgesia.ResultsThe failure block rate and duration of patient positioning significantly increased in double needles celiac neurolysis vs. single needle celiac neurolysis (30.8% vs. 0.13.8±1.2 vs. 8.9 ± 1; p = 0.046, p ≤ 0.001 respectively). Also, the technique time increased significantly in double needles celiac neurolysis than single needle celiac neurolysis (24.5 ± 5.1 vs. 15.4 ± 1.8; p ≤ 0.001). No significant differences existed as regards visual analogue scale: double needles celiac neurolysis = 2 (0‐5), 2 (0‐4), 3 (0‐6), 3 (2‐6) and single needle celiac neurolysis = 3 (0‐5), 2 (0‐5), 2 (0‐4), 4 (2‐6) after 1 day, 1 week, 1 and 3 months respectively. However, visual analogue scale in each group reduced significantly compared with basal values (p ≤ 0.001). There were no statistically significant differences as regards rescue analgesia and complications (p > 0.05).ConclusionSingle needle celiac neurolysis with changing patients’ position has less failure block rate, less procedure time, shorter duration of patient positioning than double needles celiac neurolysis in abdominal malignancy.     

The role of fasciae in Civinini–Morton's syndrome

This study evaluates the pathogenetic role of the perineural connective tissue and foot fasciae in Civinini–Morton's neuroma. Eleven feet (seven male, four female; mean age: 70.9 years) were dissected to analyse the anatomy of inter‐metatarsal space, particularly the dorsal and plantar fasciae and metatarsal transverse ligament (DMTL). The macrosections were prepared for microscopic analysis. Ten Civinini–Morton neuromas obtained from surgery were also analysed. Magnetic resonance images (MRIs) from 40 patients and 29 controls were compared. Dissections showed that the width of the inter‐metatarsal space is established by two fibrous structures: the dorsal foot fascia and the DMTL, which, together, connect the metatarsal bones and resist their splaying. Interosseous muscles spread out into the dorsal fascia of the foot, defining its basal tension. The common digital plantar nerve (CDPN) is encased in concentric layers of fibrous and loose connective tissue, continuous with the vascular sheath and deep foot fascia. Outside this sheath, fibroelastic septa, from DMTL to plantar fascia, and little fat lobules are present, further protecting the nerve against compressive stress. The MRI study revealed high inter‐individual variability in the forefoot structures, although only the thickness of the dorsal fascia represented a statistically significant difference between cases and controls. It was hypothesized that alterations in foot support and altered biomechanics act on the interosseous muscles, increasing the stiffness of the dorsal fascia, particularly at the points where these muscles are inserted. Chronic rigidity of this fascia increases the stiffness of the inter‐metatarsal space, leading to entrapment of the CDPN.     

兔乙醇胫神经干阻滞的量效关系研究

目的:明确兔乙醇胫神经阻滞的量效关系。方法:新西兰兔24只,胫神经44条,外周神经电刺激器引导下,行胫神经无水乙醇阻滞。按注射容量分为4组:0.1ml、0.3ml、0.5ml和1.0ml。分别于阻滞前和阻滞后第1、2、4、7天及2、3、4、5、6、7、8周,记录腓肠肌复合肌肉动作电位(CMAP);实验终止时,取胫神经和注射部位肌肉行HE染色,观察组织学损害。结果:小容量0.1ml组CMAP波幅在第1周有所恢复,但第2周作用基本消失(P>0.05),而0.3ml组的作用持续到第8周(P<0.05);大容量组(0.5ml和1.0ml)CMAP波幅降低更明显(P<0.05),但并发症也显著增加。大部分动物(9/15)因并发症死亡,故实验在第4周终止。前4周CMAP波幅降低,除0.3ml与0.5ml组间差异不显著(P>0.05),其他各组间差异显著(P<0.05);组织学示各组出现不同程度神经轴索变性;0.5ml和1.0ml组肌肉局灶性结缔组织增生。结论:兔乙醇胫神经干阻滞的理想有效安全容量是0.3ml/点。     

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided celiac plexus neurolysis in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer: An update

Pancreatic cancer produces disabling abdominal pain, and the pain medical management for pancreatic cancer is often challenging because it mainly relies on the use of narcotics(major opioids). However, opioids often provide suboptimal pain relief, and the use of opioids can lead to patient tolerance and several side effects that considerably reduce the quality of life of pancreatic cancer patients. Endosonography-guided celiac plexus neurolysis(EUS-CPN) is an alternative for pain control in patients with nonsurgical pancreatic cancer; EUS-CPN consists of the injection of alcohol and a local anesthetic into the area of the celiac plexus to achieve chemical ablation of the nerve tissue. EUS-CPN via the transgastric approach is a safer and more accessible technique than the percutaneous approach. We have reviewed most of the studies that evaluate the efficacy of EUSCPN and that have compared the different approaches that have been performed by endosonographers. The efficacy of EUS-CPN varies from 50% to 94% in the different studies, and EUS-CPN has a pain relief duration of 4–8 wk. Several factors are involved in its efficacy, such as the onset of pain, previous use of chemotherapy, presence of metastatic disease, EUS-CPN technique, type of needle or neurolytic agent used, etc. According to this review, injection into the ganglia may be the best technique, and a good visualization of the ganglia is the best predictor for a good EUS-CPN response, although more studies are needed. However, any of the 4 different techniques could be used to perform EUS-CPN effectively with no differences in terms of complications between the techniques,but more studies are needed. The effect of EUS-CPN on pain improvement, patient survival and patient quality of life should be evaluated in well-designed randomized clinical trials. Further research also needs to be performed to clarify the best time frame in performing a EUS-CPN.     

Alcohol Neurolysis of the Sciatic and Femoral Nerves to Improve Pressure Ulcer Healing

Successful pressure ulcer treatment is challenging and is often plagued with prolonged hospitalizations, multiple surgeries, and high recurrence rates. Pressure ulcer secondary to spinal cord injury is further complicated by spasticity, which contributes to both ulcer continuance and healing. This report illustrates the use of neurolytic regional techniques for spasticity control and pressure ulcer healing. Case report: We present our experience with a paraplegic man who suffered from chronic right trochanteric and ischial pressure ulcers that failed to heal despite surgical and conservative treatment. We report the successful treatment of knee and hip flexor spasticity with a femoral and sciatic alcohol neuroablation technique. It was not until the successful control of his lower extremity spasticity that the pressure ulcers showed signs of healing. Neuroablation nay be considered for spasticity control when more conservative approaches fail or are not feasible.     

Managing Severe Neuropathic Pain From a Chordoma: Case Report and Discussion From Belgium,With Commentaries From Sweden and Italy

ABSTRACT

A case in which severe neuropathic pain from a chordoma in a 45-year-old Belgian male is presented. Interdisciplinary neurolytic treatment and neuropathic pain pharmacotherapy were initiated and are discussed. Commentaries from pain specialists in Sweden and Italy follow.     

Early Ultrasound‐Guided Neurolysis for Pain Management in Gastrointestinal and Pelvic Malignancies: An Observational Study in a Tertiary Care Center of Urban India

Abstract: Patients with advanced gastrointestinal and pelvic malignancies commonly present with pain of varying severity. In a majority of these patients, pain can be effectively managed using an integrated systemic pharmacological approach with oral morphine being the cornerstone of treatment. However, with escalating doses, intolerable side effects of oral morphine may lead to patient dissatisfaction. When oral pharmacotherapy fails to adequately address the issue of pain or leads to insufferable side effects, neurolytic blocks of the sympathetic axis are usually used for pain alleviation. As these blocks may reduce oral analgesic requirement, a reevaluation of their timing is merited. This article presents our hospital‐based in‐patient palliative care unit experience with early ultrasonography‐guided neurolysis of celiac plexus, superior hypogastric plexus and ganglion impar. Of the 44 patients we studied, 20 underwent celiac plexus neurolysis, 18 superior hypogastric plexus neurolysis, and 6 ganglion impar neurolysis. Their pain was being managed with oral morphine before neurolysis, but only 11.4% patients required oral morphine for satisfactory pain control, 2 months after neurolysis. The mean Visual Analog Scale score before block placement was 5.64 ± 0.69 and fell to 2.25 ± 1.33 at 2 months post neurolysis (P < 0.001). We suggest that bedside ultrasonography‐guided sympathetic axis neurolysis may be employed early in patients with incurable abdominal or pelvic cancer. Its use as a first‐line intervention for achieving pain control with minimal complications warrants further consideration and investigation. ?     

肘管综合征的外科治疗

目的：探讨采用尺神经外膜松解并尺神经皮下前置术治疗肘管综合征的疗效。方法：对经确诊的26例肘管综合征患者,采用尺神经外膜松解及尺神经皮下前置术,术中观察并记录尺神经卡压的部位、范围、粗细及质地等;术后观察患者感觉恢复、肌萎缩恢复、爪型手恢复及手指内收、外展等功能恢复情况。结果：26例肘管综合征病例均获随访,23例明显改善,运动感觉均获恢复;2例感觉恢复,运动无恢复;1例运动、感觉均无恢复。结论：尺神经外膜松解并尺神经皮下前置术,操作简单、疗效肯定,是治疗肘管综合征的有效方法;时肘管综合征患者,保守治疗无效者尽早手术。