Comparative Evaluation of Efficacy of Fluoroscopy and Ultrasound for Iliopsoas Block: A Randomised Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare analgesic efficacy, improvement in the quality of life, psychology and learning curve for iliopsoas (IP) injection using ultrasound (US) versus fluoroscopy (FL). METHODS: Thirty-six patients with chronic low back pain secondary to IP myofascial pain were randomly allocated into two groups and were given IP injection in prone position, using either FL or US as a guide. Pain scores were assessed using numerical rating scale (NRS); learning curve was evaluated by the number of attempts, time taken and subjective ease of performing the procedure. The psychological and quality of life assessment were done using Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), respectively. RESULTS: FL and US guided IP injection had equianalgesic efficacy with a decrease in preprocedure NRS pain scores from mean value of 7.06 6 0.24 and 6.78 6 0.24, respectively, to 2.22 6 0.29 and 1.78 6 0.26 (at 24 hours), 1.50 6 0.22 and 1.50 6 0.23 (1 week), 0.50 6 0.12 and 0.56 6 0.15 (4 weeks) and 0.33 6 0.11 and 0.44 6 0.15 (12 weeks) (P < .001). The learning curve was easier for US intervention with average attempts of 1-2 compared to 1-3 for FL. The average time taken to perform IP intervention was lesser for US group. The improvement in DASS and ODI was comparable in both groups. CONCLUSION: FL and US both are effective modalities for IP muscle injection as they provide equal relief from pain, disability and psychological stress. US guided IP injections are easier to learn and perform in comparison with FL.

Intercostal Neuralgia Occurring as a Complication of Splanchnic Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation in a Patient with Chronic Pancreatitis.

Our intent is to report a case of intercostal neuralgia occuring as a complication of splanchnic radiofreqency ablation (RFA), due to a breach in the integrity of the insulating sheath of the RFA needle.A 48-year-old man presented to our pain clinic with upper abdominal pain due to chronic pancreatitis, recalcitrant to medical management. We decided to perform bilateral splanchnic nerve RFA in this patient. After confirmation of bilateral correct needle placement under fluoroscopic guidance and sensorimotor testing, RFA was performed on the right side uneventfully. However, during RFA on the left side, the patient experienced severe pain in the epigastric region. A bolus of fentanyl 50 µg was given intravenously in order to minimise discomfort, and RFA was performed. In the post-procedure period, the patient described severe pain in the left subcostal and epigastric region, with features suggestive of intercostal neuralgia of the left 11th intercostal nerve. We went back and analysed all the fluoroscopic images again. Convinced of correct needle placement, we examined the RFA needles which had been used for ablation in this patient. One of the needles was discovered to have a fine breach in its insulating sheath, at a distance of approximately 30 mm from the active tip. It is of utmost importance for all interventional pain physicians to perform a thorough pre-use check of the equipment prior to any RFA procedure, with special emphasis on ensuring the integrity of the insulating sheath of the needles which are to be used, in order to prevent injury of non target nerves. KEY WORDS: Splanchnic nerve block, radiofrequency ablation, intercostal neuralgia, radiofrequency ablation complications, radiofrequency equipment check, radiofrequency needle.

Chronic pain in a patient with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hypermobility type): The role of myofascial trigger point injections.

Chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain is a cardinal symptom in hypermobility type of Ehler Danlos Syndrome (EDS type III). The management of pain in EDS, however, has not been studied in depth. A 30 year old female, known case of EDS, presented to the pain clinic with complaints of severe upper back pain for 6 months. Physical examination of the back revealed two myofascial trigger points over the left rhomboids and the left erector spinae. Local anaesthetic trigger point injections were given at these points, followed by stretching exercises under analgesic cover for the first week. After 1 week the patient reported 60-80% pain relief. This case highlights that we must keep a high index of suspicion for the more treatable causes of pain like myofascial pain syndrome in patients suffering from EDS, and should address it promptly and appropriately in order to maximise patient comfort.

Fascia iliaca block vs intravenous fentanyl as an analgesic technique before positioning for spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing surgery for femur fractures-a randomized trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Pain arising from femur fractures is of severe nature. Surgery for fixation of femoral fractures may be done under spinal anesthesia. We conducted this study to compare the analgesic efficacy of fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) and intravenous fentanyl (IVF) before positioning for spinal anesthesia. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Operating room. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: Sixty patients aged 25 to 75 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologists status I to III, undergoing surgery for femur fracture were chosen for the study and randomized into 2 groups. Patients in group FICB received the block with 30 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine 15 minutes before the subarachnoid block. Patients in group IVF received intravenous fentanyl at 0.5 µg/kg body weight repeated up to a maximum of 3 doses. Spinal was administered using 12 to 15 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with glucose 80 mg/mL in patients of both groups. MEASUREMENTS: Preprocedural and postprocedural parameters such as visual analog scale (VAS) scores, sitting angle, quality of positioning, and time to perform the spinal were recorded. Patients were also assessed in the first 24 hours for analgesic requests. MAIN RESULTS: Preprocedural VAS scores were similar in both groups. The "VAS after" was 24.72±15.70 mm in group FICB vs 61.22±18.18 mm in group IVF (P=.01). The drop in VAS scores was significantly more in the FICB group. Sitting angle improved significantly in the FICB group. (56.17°±16.54° vs 21.38°±23.90°; P=.01). Patients in group FICB also needed less time for spinal and had better quality of positioning. Postoperative analgesic requirement was lesser in group FICB. CONCLUSION: Fascia iliaca block offers superior analgesia compared to IVF in patients with femur fracture before positioning for spinal anesthesia.

Prevention of hypotension induced by combined spinal epidural anesthesia using continuous infusion of vasopressin: A randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Central neuraxial blockade (CNB) is an established technique of providing anesthesia for surgeries of the lower limb and abdomen. Hypotension is the most common side effect of CNB. It was hypothesized that by supplementing the initial burst of vasopressin following hypovolemia, hypotension following combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA) could be avoided. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 122 patients undergoing lower limb and abdomen surgeries were included in the study, with 61 patients randomized into two groups - I and II. Patients in Group I received infusion of normal saline as soon as CSEA was applied. When systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased to <90 mmHg, they received a 6 mg bolus of mephentermine to counteract hypotension. Patients in Group II received a continuous infusion of vasopressin as soon as CSEA was applied. If despite maximum dose of vasopressin, SBP dropped to < 90 mmHg, then intravenous mephentermine was administered to counteract hypotension. Hemodynamic parameters and side effects were noted. RESULTS: Level of block attained in both groups was comparable in terms of dermatomal height. The mean SBP and mean arterial pressure values of Group I were significantly lower than in Group II in the initial 14 min. Diastolic BP was also significantly lower in Group I. Heart rate was found to be lower in Group II, especially after 30 min (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Maintaining plasma levels of the physiological burst of vasopressin helps to avoid hypotension following neuraxial blockade. Continuous infusion of vasopressin at 1-3 U/h can prevent hypotension following neuraxial blockade.

Depression masquerading as chest pain in a patient with Wolff Parkinson White syndrome.

Wolff Parkinson White (WPW) syndrome is a condition in which there is an aberrant conduction pathway between the atria and ventricles, resulting in tachycardia. A 42-year-old patient, who was treated for WPW syndrome previously, presented with chronic somatic pain. With her cardiac condition in mind, she was thoroughly worked up for a recurrence of disease. As part of routine screening of all patients at our pain clinic, she was found to have severe depression as per the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) criteria. After ruling out sinister causes, she was treated for depression using oral Duloxetine and counselling. This led to resolution of symptoms, and improved her mood and functional capability. This case highlights the use of psychological screening tools and diligent examination in scenarios as confusing as the one presented here. Addressing the psychological aspects of pain and adopting a holistic approach are as important as treatment of the primary pathology.

Comparative Evaluation of Retrocrural versus Transaortic Neurolytic Celiac Plexus Block for Pain Relief in Patients with Upper Abdominal Malignancy: A Retrospective Observational Study.

AIM: To compare retrocrural versus transaortic techniques for neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) in patients suffering from upper abdominal malignancy. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study between October 2013 and April 2015, 64 patients with inoperable upper abdominal malignancy received fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous NCPB in our institute. Their case files were reviewed and the patients were divided into two groups depending on the technique used to perform NCPB: retrocrural (Group R; n = 36) versus transaortic (Group T; n = 28). The primary outcome measure was pain as assessed with a numeric rating scale (NRS) from 0 to 10; the secondary outcome measures were morphine consumption per day (M), quality of life (QOL) as assessed by comparing the percent of positive responses in each group, and complications if any. These were noted and analyzed prior to intervention and then on day 1, weeks 1, 2, 3, and months 1, 2, 3, 6 following NCPB. RESULTS: Patients in Group R had significantly reduced NRS pain scores at week 1, 2, 3, month 1 and 2 as compared to Group T (P < 0.05). Morphine consumption also reduced significantly in Group R at day 1, week 1, 2, and 3 (P < 0.05). QOL was found to be comparable between the groups, and no major complications were noted. CONCLUSION: Retrocrural NCPB provides superior pain relief along with a reduction in morphine consumption as compared to transaortic NCPB in patients with pain due to upper abdominal malignancy.

Serratus anterior plane block: a new analgesic technique for post-thoracotomy pain.

Pain following thoracotomy is of moderate to severe nature. Management of thoracotomy pain is a challenging task. Post thoracotomy pain has acute effects in the post operative period by affecting respiratory mechanics, which increases the morbidity. Poorly controlled thoracotomy pain in the acute phase may also lead to the development of a chronic pain syndrome. A young male patient underwent esophagectomy and esophago-gastric anastomosis for corrosive stricture of the esophagus. Epidural analgesia is standard of care for patients undergoing thoracotomy. Due to hypotension and fluid losses following surgery, he was maintained on intravenous sedato-analgesia during postoperative mechanical ventilation. The thoracic epidural catheter which was placed pre-operatively, had developed blockage during the hospital stay. However, during weaning from ventilation and sedation, he indicated severe pain in the thoracotomy incision. The pain was severe enough to impair tidal breathing. We wanted to evaluate the efficacy of the serratus anterior plane block in the management of thoracotomy pain. The usefulness of this block has been discussed in the management of pain of rib fractures and breast surgeries. Despite the hypothesis of its usefulness in causing anaesthesia of the hemithorax, there are no available reports of clinical use for pain relief following thoracotomy. We performed the serratus anterior place block under ultrasound guidance and placed a catheter for continuous infusion of local anaesthetic and opioid. The patient had significant pain relief following a single bolus of the drug. The infusion was started thereafter, which provided excellent analgesia and facilitated an uneventful recovery. Here, we describe the successful management of thoracotomy pain using the serratus anterior plane block.