Co-morbidity between trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias and complex regional pain syndrome: Two case reports

Cephalalgia ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 033310242110582
Author(s):  
Peter D Drummond ◽  
Philip M Finch

Background Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias and complex regional pain syndrome are rare conditions, and their co-occurrence has not been reported previously. Clinical findings: In two patients, ipsilateral trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias developed after the onset of upper limb complex regional pain syndrome. Hyperalgesia to thermal and mechanical stimuli extended beyond the affected limb to encompass the ipsilateral forehead, and was accompanied by ipsilateral hyperacusis and photophobia. In addition, examination of the painful limb and bright light appeared to aggravate symptoms of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. Detailed examination of the association between facial and upper limb pain indicated that both sources of pain cycled together. Furthermore, in one case, stellate ganglion blockade inhibited pain for an extended period not only in the affected limb but also the face. Conclusions These findings suggest some overlap in the pathophysiology of complex regional pain syndrome and trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias. Specifically, central sensitization and/or disruption of inhibitory pain modulation on the affected side of the body in complex regional pain syndrome might trigger ipsilateral cranial symptoms and increase vulnerability to trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel D. Vittersø ◽  
Gavin Buckingham ◽  
Monika Halicka ◽  
Michael J. Proulx ◽  
Janet H. Bultitude

AbstractDistorted representations of the body and peripersonal space are common in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and might modulate its symptoms (e.g. asymmetric limb temperature). In pain-free people, such representations are malleable, and update when we interact with objects in our environment (e.g. during tool-use). Distortions are also common after immobilisation, but quickly normalise once movement is regained. We tested the hypothesis that people with CRPS have problems updating bodily and spatial representations, which contributes to the maintenance of their distorted representations by preventing normalization. We also explored spatially defined modulations of hand temperature asymmetries, and any influence of updating bodily and spatial representations on this effect. Thirty-six people with unilateral CRPS (18 upper limb, 18 lower limb) and 36 pain-free controls completed tool-use tasks considered to alter body and peripersonal space representations (measured using tactile distance judgements and a visuotactile crossmodal congruency task, respectively). We also tested how the arrangement (crossed, uncrossed) of the hands and tools affected hand temperature. In upper limb CRPS the non-affected arm representation updated normally, but the affected arm representation updated in the opposite to normal direction. A similar pattern was seen in lower limbs CRPS, although not significant. Furthermore, people with CRPS showed more pronounced updating of peripersonal space than the controls. We did not observe any modulation of hand temperature asymmetries by the arrangement of hands or tools. Our findings suggest enhanced malleability of bodily and spatial representations in CRPS, potentially implicating central mechanisms in the aetiology of this condition.


2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 1316-1322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Kastler ◽  
Sébastien Aubry ◽  
Nicolas Sailley ◽  
Demosthene Michalakis ◽  
Gaye Siliman ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy K. Esaki

Ketamine is an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist that has been increasingly used in the management of treatment-resistant chronic pain conditions, particularly representing neuropathic involvement or central sensitization. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a prototypical condition often treated with ketamine infusions. Although the analgesic benefits of ketamine as an opioid-sparing adjunct in the preoperative period have been well studied, the use of ketamine to mitigate chronic pain conditions remains largely anecdotal, composed largely of case reports and uncontrolled small studies. The limited evidence and published reports support the use of ketamine infusions as one aspect of a comprehensive, multimodal approach for CRPS. Although ketamine infusions are relatively safe when titrated appropriately, with minimal respiratory depression, side effects include sympathetic activation, unpleasant psychomimetic effects, lower urinary tract symptoms, and hepatic dysfunction. 


2021 ◽  
pp. 213-217

BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a pain condition associated with autonomic and inflammatory features and is characterized by pain that is disproportionate in magnitude to the typical pain after similar injuries. The pathophysiology of CRPS is poorly understood, and many events have been implicated as causative factors. CASE REPORT: There are 2 previously documented case reports of CRPS after epidural steroid injections (ESI). This case report details the development of CRPS symptoms in a patient after receiving a cervical ESI. The precipitating event could have been trauma to a nerve root, nerve root irritation from the injectate, or contrast media reaction. Treatment focused on physical therapy and early intervention with a stellate ganglion block. The patient had complete resolution of her symptoms after 10 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, CRPS due to direct nerve root injury or nerve root irritation can develop after an ESI; early diagnosis and treatment may result in a better outcome. KEY WORDS: Complex regional pain syndrome, CRPS, epidural steroid injections, TFESI, ILESI


Author(s):  
Jeremy Simon ◽  
Michael Mehnert ◽  
Matthew McAuliffe

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