Neurolytic Caudal Epidural Block for Rectal Tenesmus: A Case Report

Rectal tenesmus is a very uncomfortable symptom. Though antiarrhythmic drugs and nerve blocks have been proposed as a treatment for rectal tenesmus, none is well-established. We report a 68-year-old female who undertook surgery for uterine cervical cancer and underwent chemotherapy. She got a bilateral nephrostomy and bowel obstruction during the chemotherapy because of recurrence. She decided to stop chemotherapy and to receive palliative care. She had a symptom of rectal tenesmus, which was refractory to medications. The clinical sign was severe and uncomfortable, making her very nervous. We planned to treat the rectal tenesmus with a nerve block. A ganglion impar block was insufficient to remove the symptom, and the saddle block failed due to epidural lipomatosis. We finally succeeded in alleviating the sign with a neurolytic caudal epidural block. Relief of tenesmus made her hope to spend her final period at home. She could stay at home with her family for seven days before death without recurrence of the symptom. Though there is no report about the effectiveness of neurolytic caudal epidural block for rectal tenesmus, we consider the block appropriate for the symptom.

Superior Hypogastric Plexus Neurolysis to Manage Metastatic Pelvic Pain in a Forty-Five-Year-Old Spina Bifida Patient: A Case Report.

A 45-year-old patient with spina bifida and adenocarcinoma of the rectum was treated with a superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) ablation for pain control. The procedure enabled her to reduce opioid consumption, being more clear-headed and functional to be discharged to her residence. The case is presented to highlight the options of neurolytic interventions to manage pain in terminally ill cancer patients. We discuss the options of SHP ablation and justify our choice of approach and the use of a neurolytic agent.

Neurotoxins subvert the allosteric activation mechanism of SARM1 to induce neuronal loss.

SARM1 is an inducible TIR-domain NAD+ hydrolase that mediates pathological axon degeneration. SARM1 is activated by an increased ratio of NMN to NAD+, which competes for binding to an allosteric activating site. When NMN binds, the TIR domain is released from autoinhibition, activating its NAD+ hydrolase activity. The discovery of this allosteric activating site led us to hypothesize that other NAD+-related metabolites might activate SARM1. Here, we show the nicotinamide analog 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP), first identified as a neurotoxin in the 1940s, is converted to 3-APMN, which activates SARM1 and induces SARM1-dependent NAD+ depletion, axon degeneration, and neuronal death. In mice, systemic treatment with 3-AP causes rapid SARM1-dependent death, while local application to the peripheral nerve induces SARM1-dependent axon degeneration. We identify 2-aminopyridine as another SARM1-dependent neurotoxin. These findings identify SARM1 as a candidate mediator of environmental neurotoxicity and suggest that SARM1 agonists could be developed into selective agents for neurolytic therapy.

Successful intrathecal neurolytic block for the management of cancer pain in a 10-year-old child: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cancer pain management in children is challenging owing to their unique patient characteristics. We present the case of a 10-year-old girl whose cancer pain was successfully managed using an intrathecal neurolytic block. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient experienced severe cancer pain due to recurrent right ilium osteosarcoma. The tumor progressed rapidly despite chemoradiotherapy and gradually invaded the right lumbar plexus, which resulted in severe neuropathic pain in the right lower extremity. Systemic analgesics failed to attenuate the pain. We performed an intrathecal neurolytic block using 10% phenol-glycerol. The neurolytic block completely relieved her right lower extremity pain. After the block, the patient's quality of life improved, and she spent her time with family. CONCLUSIONS: The intrathecal neurolytic block successfully relieved the patient's cancer pain. Successful intrathecal neurolytic blocks require meticulous pain assessment of individual patients, to avoid possible serious complications such as paresis/paralysis and bladder/bowel dysfunction.

Ganglion Impar Neurolysis in the Management of Pelvic and Perineal Cancer-Related Pain.

Cancer-related pain is a very prevalent problem in all stages, with 10% of patients requiring invasive techniques for adequate pain management. Ganglion impar neurolysis has been used in the treatment of pelvic-perineal pain with efficacy and rare complications, but only a few case or series reports in cancer patients have been published. We report the case of a patient presenting with an ovarian carcinoma (FIGO stage IIIC), who had several disease relapses at the colorectal transition and need for palliative colic prosthesis. She presented later with anorectal pain associated with a rectovaginal fistula, which had an important impact on the activities of her daily life. She was submitted to two ganglion impar neurolyses, which resulted in improved pain control for a total of 5 months, an important improvement in her quality of life, and reduction of opioid consumption. The authors aim to alert to the importance of pain control and to address the fourth step of the WHO analgesic ladder as an option for cancer patients, including palliative patients.

Effectiveness of the superior hypogastric plexus neurolytic block in the management of pelvic abdominal pain in adult patients diagnosed with cancer: A systematic literature review / Efectividad del bloqueo neurolítico del plexo hipogástrico superior en el manejo del dolor abdominopélvico en pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de cáncer. Revisión sistemática de la literatura

INTRODUCTION: Severe oncological pain occurs in up to 60% of pelvic abdominal cáncer patients, being refractory to medical management in up to 30% of cases. In 1990, the superior hypogastric plexus neurolytic block (SHPB) was described for the control of pain in these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this technique for the control of oncological pain. METHODOLY: Studies that evaluated the effectiveness of the SHPB using the classic or transdiscal approach in adult patients with oncological abdominal-pelvic pain were systematically reviewed. A search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus from January 1, 1990, to August 31, 2019, without a language restriction. The visual analog scale (VAS), morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per day, quality of life and presence of complications were recorded. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the Jadad and Ottawa-Newcastle scales. RESULTS: Eight studies met the inclusión criteria: 6 were descriptivo longitudinal studies, and 2 were controlled clinical trials, comprising 316 patients (75% female and 25% male; average age 53.2 years); the most frequent diagnoses were gynecological (65%) cancer. An average VAS reduction of 55%-60.8% was obtained as well as a MME reduction of 40%-60%. Three studies evaluated the quality of life using the (QLQ-C30), (PSS) and Zubrod scale all with positive results. Complications were reported in 18% of cases, pain related to the puncture was the most frequent. CONCLUSIONS: The SHPB may be an effective for the control of severe oncological abdominal-pelvic pain, decreasing the VAS and MME and improving the quality of life of patients.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El dolor oncológico severo se presenta hasta en el 60% de los pacientes con cáncer abdominopélvico, siendo refractario al manejo médico hasta en el 30% de los casos. En 1990, se describió el bloqueo del plexo hipogástrico superior (BPHS) para el control de dolor en estos pacientes. Nuestro objetivo en este estudio fue evaluar la efectividad de esta técnica. METODOLOGÍA: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de estudios que evaluaron la efectividad del BPHS técnicas guiadas por fluoroscopio en pacientes adultos con dolor oncológico abdominopélvico. Se realizó una búsqueda en Pubmed, EMBASE y Scopus desde el 1de enero de 1990 hasta el 31 de agosto de 2019, sin restricción de idioma. Se evaluó la escala visual análoga, el consumo de opioides: dosis equivalente de morfina día, calidad de vida, presencia de complicaciones y se evaluó la calidad de los estudios mediante escalas Jadad y Ottawa- Newcastle. RESULTADOS: Ocho estudios cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, 6 fueron longitudinales descriptivos y 2 ensayos clínicos controlados, con un total de 316 pacientes, 75% femenino y 25% masculino; edad promedio 53,2 años; diagnóstico más frecuente: Cáncer ginecológico (65%). Se logró una reducción de la escala visual análoga (EVA) de 55%-60,8% y reducción de la dosis equivalente de miligramos de morfina oral día (DEMO) del 40%-60%. Tres estudios evaluaron la calidad de vida con las escalas QLQ-C30, PSS y Zubrod, mostrando mejoría en todas. Se reportaron complicaciones en 18% de los casos, siendo el dolor en el sitio de punción la más frecuente.CONCLUSIONES: El BPHS puede ser efectivo en el control de dolor oncológico de origen abdominopélvico, disminuyendo escala visual análoga (EVA), dosis equivalente de miligramos de morfina oral día (DEMO) y mejorando la calidad de vida. Sin embargo, se requieren de estudios adicionales para dar una recomendación con alta calidad de evidencia.

The effectiveness of neurolytic block of sphenopalatine ganglion using zygomatic approach for the management of trigeminal neuropathy.

This study was performed to present the outcomes of trigeminal neuropathy management with the application of neurolytic block of sphenopalatine ganglion. This type of procedure is used in cases where pain is not well controlled with medical treatment. Twenty patients were treated with sphenopalatine ganglion neurolysis after their response to pharmacological management was not satisfactory. Significant pain relief was experienced by all but one patient and they were able to reduce or stop their pain medication. The time of pain relief was between a few months and 9 years during the study period. Number of procedures implemented varied as some of the patients have been under the care of our Pain Clinic for as long as 18 years, satisfied with this type of management and willing to have the procedure repeated if necessary. It appears that neurolytic block of sphenopalatine ganglion is effective enough and may be an option worth further consideration in battling the pain associated with trigeminal neuropathy.

Bloqueo neurolítico de neuromas recidivantes guiado por ultrasonografía / Neurolytic blockof recurrent neuromas guided by ultrasound

Los neuromas de muñón son causa de dolor intenso de difícil control. El bloqueo neurolítico es una alternativa en el tratamiento, y el uso de la ultrasonografía se impone para garantizar la efectividad del proceder. En este reporte de caso se describe la realización de la neurolisis con alcohol absoluto de varios neuromas recidivantes en un muñón de miembro superior, guiados por ultrasonido, en un paciente con dolor crónico que no resuelve con tratamiento médico(AU)

Stump-neuromas cause difficult deep pain control. Neurolytic block is an alternative treatment, and ultrasound guarantee the certainty of the procedure. This case report describes the realization of neurolysis with total alcohol of various stump-neuromas, guided by ultrasound, in a patient with chronic pain that don´t solve with medic treatment(AU)

Bloqueo neurolítico de neuromas recidivantes guiado por ultrasonografía / Neurolytic blockof recurrent neuromas guided by ultrasound

Los neuromas de muñón son causa de dolor intenso de difícil control. El bloqueo neurolítico es una alternativa en el tratamiento, y el uso de la ultrasonografía se impone para garantizar la efectividad del proceder. En este reporte de caso se describe la realización de la neurolisis con alcohol absoluto de varios neuromas recidivantes en un muñón de miembro superior, guiados por ultrasonido, en un paciente con dolor crónico que no resuelve con tratamiento médico.

Stump-neuromas cause difficult deep pain control. Neurolytic block is an alternative treatment, and ultrasound guarantee the certainty of the procedure. This case report describes the realization of neurolysis with total alcohol of various stump-neuromas, guided by ultrasound, in a patient with chronic pain that don´t solve with medic treatment.

Neurolytic block of ganglion of Walther for the management of chronic pelvic pain.

Here we report on the use of neurolytic block of ganglion impar (ganglion of Walther) for the management of intractable chronic pelvic pain, which is common enough to be recognized as a problem by gynecologists, likely to be difficult to diagnose and even more challenging to manage. Following failure in controlling the symptoms with pharmacological management, nine women underwent neurolysis of the ganglion impar in our Pain Clinic from 2009 to March 2013. The indication for the procedure was chronic pelvic pain (CPP) of either malignancy-related (4) or other origin (5). The Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and duration of pain relief were employed to assess effectiveness of the procedure. Neurolysis was efficacious in patients with both malignancy-related CPP and CPP of non-malignant origin. Reported relief time varied from 4 weeks to 3 years, while in 4 cases complete and permanent cessation of pain was achieved. No complications were noted.

Ultrasound-guided paravertebral neurolytic block: a report of two cases.

Paravertebral block is commonly used in the treatment for acute and chronic pain. The duration of paravertebral block could theoretically be prolonged with neurolytic agents. We report two cases of ultrasound-guided neurolytic paravertebral blocks in patients suffering from intense cancer-related thoracic pain. Ultrasound was used to identify the space and plane of injection at the mid-thoracic level. Absolute alcohol was used to block the nerves at different segments. The two patients had great pain relief. Neurolytic paravertebral block can be a useful technique in patients with intractable cancer pain. Because of the risk of complication, it is recommended that this technique should be limited to relief of intractable pain in cancer patients with a poor prognosis.

Subcostal transversus abdominis plane phenol injection for abdominal wall cancer pain.

A subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) phenol injection was performed on a patient with refractory cancer pain due a metastatic involvement of the abdominal wall. A diagnostic block with local anesthetic was performed under ultrasound guidance (USG), resulting in a decrease of 80% and 100% in dynamic and static visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, respectively, for 20 hours. A phenol injection was then performed under USG. The patient reported 70% and 100% reduction in the dynamic and static VAS for pain and had a 50% decrease in the opioid requirement that was maintained for 2 months. TAP blocks offer an interesting tool for either diagnosis or therapeutic purpose in chronic pain management. USG provides an optimal approach to soft-tissue lesions where fluoroscopy techniques are not useful.