scholarly journals Medial Gamma Knife thalamotomy for intractable pain

2018 ◽  
Vol 129 (Suppl1) ◽  
pp. 72-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dusan Urgosik ◽  
Roman Liscak
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Severe Pain ◽  
Radiation Treatment ◽  
Phantom Pain ◽  
Intractable Pain ◽  
Single Shot ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Constant Pain ◽  
Stereotactic Frame

OBJECTIVEAblative procedures are still useful in the treatment of intractable pain despite the proliferation of neuromodulation techniques. In the paper the authors present the results of Gamma Knife thalamotomy (GKT) in various pain syndromes.METHODSBetween 1996 and 2016, unilateral GKT was performed in 30 patients suffering from various severe pain syndromes in whom conservative treatment had failed. There were 20 women and 10 men in the study population, with a median age of 80 years (range 53–89 years). The pain syndromes consisted of 8 patients with classic treatment-resistant trigeminal neuralgia (TN), 6 with postherpetic TN, 5 with TN and constant pain, 1 with TN related to multiple sclerosis, 3 with trigeminal neuropathic pain, 4 with thalamic pain, 1 with phantom pain, 1 with causalgic pain, and 1 with facial pain. The median follow-up period was 24 months (range 12–180 months). Invasive procedures for pain release preceded GKT in 20 patients (microvascular decompression, glycerol rhizotomy, balloon microcompression, Gamma Knife irradiation of the trigeminal root, and radiofrequency thermolesion). The Leksell stereotactic frame, GammaPlan software, and T1- and T2-weighted sequences acquired at 1.5 T were used for localization of the targeted medial thalamus, namely the centromedian (CM) and parafascicularis (Pf) nucleus. The CM/Pf complex was localized 4–6 mm lateral to the wall of the third ventricle, 8 mm posterior to the midpoint, and 2–3 mm superior to the intercommissural line. GKT was performed using the Leksell Gamma Knife with an applied dose ranging from 145 to 150 Gy, with a single shot, 4-mm collimator. Pain relief after radiation treatment was evaluated. Decreased pain intensity to less than 50% of the previous level was considered successful.RESULTSInitial successful results were achieved in 13 (43.3%) of the patients, with complete pain relief in 1 of these patients. Relief was achieved after a median latency of 3 months (range 2–12 months). Pain recurred in 4 (31%) of 13 patients after a median latent interval of 24 months (range 22–30 months). No neurological deficits were observed.CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that GKT in patients suffering from severe pain syndromes is a relatively successful and safe method that can be used even in severely affected patients. The only risk of GT for the patients in this study was failure of treatment, as no clinical side effects were observed.

Changes in management of patients with diseases of musculoskeletal system and joints

2021 ◽  
pp. 36-40
Author(s):  
A. L. Vertkin ◽  
A. N. Barinov ◽  
G. Yu. Knorring
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Severe Pain ◽  
Pain Syndrome ◽  
Cooperative Action ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Adequate Pain Relief ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Group B ◽  
Group B Vitamins

Pain syndrome accompanies the vast majority of diseases; therefore, the issues of adequate pain relief remain topical not only for urgent conditions, but also for everyday medical practice. Modern and changed in recent years approaches to the appointment of anesthetic therapy should take into account not only the pathogenetic mechanisms of the development of pain syndrome in a particular patient, but also the need to use drug combinations. This allows for the potentiation of the analgesic effect, reduction of effective dosages of individual drugs and minimization of side effects. In case of severe pain syndrome in the presence of signs of impaired nociception, neuropathic and muscle-fascial pain syndromes, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in conjunction with group B vitamins is justified. The article considers the pathogenetic details of such a combination therapy, reveals the mechanisms of the cooperative action of the proposed combination of drugs.

Ketamine for acute and subacute pain in opioid-tolerant patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shoshana Chazan, RN ◽  
Margaret P. Ekstein, MD ◽  
Nissim Marouani, MD ◽  
Avi A. Weinbroum, MD
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Epidural Analgesia ◽  
Severe Pain ◽  
Bone Pain ◽  
Phantom Pain ◽  
Chronic Ischemia ◽  
Central Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Metastatic Bone Pain ◽  
New Onset

Prolonged acute pain, especially that of oncologic neurological origin, is at times difficult to control; it is seldom entirely alleviated by opioids. We report eight patients with severe pain, three of whom suffered from new onset oncologic metastatic bone pain, others had previous pain syndromes and presented with exacerbation of pain. Pain was associated with hyperalgesia and allodynia phenomena in two patients and with phantom pain in a third one. Tolerance to opioids had developed, and high IV doses of morphine, meperidine or fentanyl, and patient-controlled intravenous and epidural analgesia were insufficient. Several patients became dependent on opioids and could not be weaned from assisted ventilation.Pain was controlled with decreasing adjunct doses of ketamine. Within 5-10 days of ketamine and opioid protocols, pain was controlled and after an additional 5-7 days, ketamine could be stopped and pain controlled on oral regimens compatible with outpatient care.Ketamine is an efficient adjuvant analgesic for intractable severe pain, caused by metastasis, trauma, chronic ischemia, or central neuropathic pain. It is effective even when mega doses of IV, epidural, or oral opioids prove ineffective and when signs of tolerance have developed.

DREZ lesions for relief of pain related to spinal cord injury

1986 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan H. Friedman ◽  
Blaine S. Nashold
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Intractable Pain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Root Entry Zone ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Good Pain Relief

✓ Fifty-six patients with intractable pain following a spinal cord injury were treated with dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) lesions. After a follow-up period ranging from 6 months to 6 years, 50% of patients had good pain relief. Certain pain syndromes tended to respond better to DREZ lesions than did others. Patients with pain extending caudally from the level of the injury and patients with unilateral pain were most likely to obtain pain relief from the procedure; diffuse pain and predominant sacral pain did not respond as well.

Stereotaxic rostral mesencephalotomy in treatment of malignant faciothoracobrachial pain syndromes

1982 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 807-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franco Frank ◽  
Francesco Tognetti ◽  
Giulio Gaist ◽  
Giorgio Frank ◽  
Ercole Galassi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Intractable Pain ◽  
Malignant Diseases ◽  
Pertinent Literature ◽  
Technical Aspects ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pain Syndromes ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Stereotaxic rostral mesencephalotomy was performed 19 times in 14 patients suffering from intractable pain syndromes due to malignant diseases. The satisfying results in terms of pain relief during a necessarily short follow-up period (mean 4.9 months) are outlined. Undesired side effects were mainly confined to oculomotor disorders, which partly subsided over the months following the operation. Some technical aspects of the procedure and the pertinent literature are briefly discussed.

Treatment of postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia with the Leksell gamma knife

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 165-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dušan Urgošík ◽  
Josef Vymazal ◽  
Vilibald Vladyka ◽  
Roman Liščák
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Postherpetic Neuralgia ◽  
Pain Treatment ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Intractable Pain ◽  
Neurosurgical Procedures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Postherpetic neuralgia is a syndrome characterized by intractable pain. Treatment of this pain has not yet been successful. Patients with postherpetic neuralgia will therefore benefit from any progress in the treatment strategy. The authors performed gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) as a noninvasive treatment for postherpetic trigeminal neuralgia (TN) and evaluated the success rate for pain relief. Methods. Between 1995 and February 1999, six men and 10 women were treated for postherpetic TN; conservative treatment failed in all of them. The median follow up was 33 months (range 8–34 months). The radiation was focused on the root of the trigeminal nerve in the vicinity of the brainstem (maximal dose 70–80 Gy in one fraction, 4-mm collimator). The patients were divided into five groups according to degree of pain relief after treatment. A successful result (excellent, very good, and good) was reached in seven (44%) patients and radiosurgery failed in nine (56%). Pain relief occurred after a median interval of 1 month (range 10 days–6 months). No radiation-related side effects have been observed in these patients. Conclusions. These results suggest that GKS for postherpetic TN is a relatively successful and safe method that can be used in patients even if they are in poor condition. In case this method fails, other treatment options including other neurosurgical procedures are not excluded.

Does the Gamma Knife dose rate affect outcomes in radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia?

2010 ◽  
Vol 113 (Special_Supplement) ◽  
pp. 168-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshio Arai ◽  
Hideyuki Kano ◽  
L. Dade Lunsford ◽  
Josef Novotny ◽  
Ajay Niranjan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Dose Rate ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Pain Control ◽  
Radiation Treatment ◽  
Irradiation Time ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Radiation Dose Rate ◽  
Significant Difference

Object The object of this study was to determine whether the radiation dose rate affects clinical outcomes in patients who undergo stereotactic Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) to manage typical trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Methods The authors retrospectively studied pain relief in 165 patients with medically intractable TN, who underwent 80-Gy GKS using a single 4-mm collimator between 1994 and 2005. No patient had received prior radiation treatment. The measured relative helmet output factor of the Gamma Knife was 0.8 throughout this interval, and the dose rate varied from 1.21 Gy/minute to 3.74 Gy/minute (median 2.06 Gy/minute). Irradiation time varied from 26.73 to 95.11 minutes. The authors divided patients into a low-dose-rate (LDR) group, in which the dose rate varied from 1.21 to 2.05 Gy/minute, and a high-dose-rate (HDR) group, in which the dose rate varied from 2.06 to 3.74 Gy/minute. Post-GKS, the patients' pain control was determined using the Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain scale. There was no statistically significant difference between groups with respect to history of prior microvascular decompression (p = 0.410) or peripheral neuroablative procedures (p = 0.583). The length of symptoms in patients varied from 3 to 414 months with a median of 84 months (p = 0.698). Median follow-up was 26 months with a maximum of 139 months. Results Initial pain relief was obtained in 71% of patients in the LDR group and 78% in the HDR group (p = 0.547). Patients who initially obtained improved pain relief (BNI Scores I–IIIa) after GKS maintained pain control for median durations of 52 months (LDR group) and 54 months (HDR group) (p = 0.403). New or increased facial sensory dysfunction was found in 14.5% of patients in the LDR group and in 19.3% of patients in the HDR group (p = 0.479). Conclusions The authors found that the GKS dose rate did not affect pain control or morbidity within the range of 1.21–3.74 Gy/minute. Cobalt 60 source decay did not affect outcomes of GKS for TN pain management, even for dose rates approximating a 2-half-life decay of the isotope.

Temporal disconnection between pain relief and trigeminal nerve microstructural changes after Gamma Knife radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 727-735
Author(s):  
Peter Shih-Ping Hung ◽  
Sarasa Tohyama ◽  
Jia Y. Zhang ◽  
Mojgan Hodaie
Keyword(s):  
Pain Relief ◽  
Trigeminal Neuralgia ◽  
Pain Intensity ◽  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Trigeminal Nerve ◽  
Diffusion Tensor ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Microstructural Effect

OBJECTIVEGamma Knife radiosurgery (GKRS) is a noninvasive surgical treatment option for patients with medically refractive classic trigeminal neuralgia (TN). The long-term microstructural consequences of radiosurgery and their association with pain relief remain unclear. To better understand this topic, the authors used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to characterize the effects of GKRS on trigeminal nerve microstructure over multiple posttreatment time points.METHODSNinety-two sets of 3-T anatomical and diffusion-weighted MR images from 55 patients with TN treated by GKRS were divided within 6-, 12-, and 24-month posttreatment time points into responder and nonresponder subgroups (≥ 75% and < 75% reduction in posttreatment pain intensity, respectively). Within each subgroup, posttreatment pain intensity was then assessed against pretreatment levels and followed by DTI metric analyses, contrasting treated and contralateral control nerves to identify specific biomarkers of successful pain relief.RESULTSGKRS resulted in successful pain relief that was accompanied by asynchronous reductions in fractional anisotropy (FA), which maximized 24 months after treatment. While GKRS responders demonstrated significantly reduced FA within the radiosurgery target 12 and 24 months posttreatment (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively), nonresponders had statistically indistinguishable DTI metrics between nerve types at each time point.CONCLUSIONSUltimately, this study serves as the first step toward an improved understanding of the long-term microstructural effect of radiosurgery on TN. Given that FA reductions remained specific to responders and were absent in nonresponders up to 24 months posttreatment, FA changes have the potential of serving as temporally consistent biomarkers of optimal pain relief following radiosurgical treatment for classic TN.

Gamma knife radiosurgery as a single treatment modality for large cerebral arteriovenous malformations

2000 ◽  
Vol 93 (supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Hung-Chi Pan ◽  
Wan-Yuo Guo ◽  
Wen-Yuh Chung ◽  
Cheng-Ying Shiau ◽  
Yue-Cune Chang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Knife ◽  
Arteriovenous Malformations ◽  
Radiation Treatment ◽  
Gamma Knife Radiosurgery ◽  
Consecutive Series ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Obliteration Rate ◽  
Complete Obliteration ◽  
Fine Print

Object. A consecutive series of 240 patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) treated by gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) between March 1993 and March 1999 was evaluated to assess the efficacy and safety of radiosurgery for cerebral AVMs larger than 10 cm3 in volume. Methods. Seventy-six patients (32%) had AVM nidus volumes of more than 10 cm3. During radiosurgery, targeting and delineation of AVM nidi were based on integrated stereotactic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and x-ray angiography. The radiation treatment was performed using multiple small isocenters to improve conformity of the treatment volume. The mean dose inside the nidus was kept between 20 Gy and 24 Gy. The margin dose ranged between 15 to 18 Gy placed at the 55 to 60% isodose centers. Follow up ranged from 12 to 73 months. There was complete obliteration in 24 patients with an AVM volume of more than 10 cm3 and in 91 patients with an AVM volume of less than 10 cm3. The latency for complete obliteration in larger-volume AVMs was significantly longer. In Kaplan—Meier analysis, the complete obliteration rate in 40 months was 77% in AVMs with volumes between 10 to 15 cm3, as compared with 25% for AVMs with a volume of more than 15 cm3. In the latter, the obliteration rate had increased to 58% at 50 months. The follow-up MR images revealed that large-volume AVMs had higher incidences of postradiosurgical edema, petechiae, and hemorrhage. The bleeding rate before cure was 9.2% (seven of 76) for AVMs with a volume exceeding 10 cm3, and 1.8% (three of 164) for AVMs with a volume less than 10 cm3. Although focal edema was more frequently found in large AVMs, most of the cases were reversible. Permanent neurological complications were found in 3.9% (three of 76) of the patients with an AVM volume of more than 10 cm3, 3.8% (three of 80) of those with AVM volume of 3 to 10 cm3, and 2.4% (two of 84) of those with an AVM volume less than 3 cm3. These differences in complications rate were not significant. Conclusions. Recent improvement of radiosurgery in conjunction with stereotactic MR targeting and multiplanar dose planning has permitted the treatment of larger AVMs. It is suggested that gamma knife radiosurgery is effective for treating AVMs as large as 30 cm3 in volume with an acceptable risk.

Functional stereotactic radiosurgery involving a dedicated linear accelerator and gamma unit: a comparison study

2004 ◽  
pp. 373-380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy D. Solberg ◽  
Steven J. Goetsch ◽  
Michael T. Selch ◽  
William Melega ◽  
Goran Lacan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stereotactic Radiosurgery ◽  
Linear Accelerator ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Single Shot ◽  
Submillimeter Range ◽  
Primate Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stereotactic Frame ◽  
Targeting Ability ◽  
Fine Print

Object. The purpose of this work was to investigate the targeting and dosimetric characteristics of a linear accelerator (LINAC) system dedicated for stereotactic radiosurgery compared with those of a commercial gamma knife (GK) unit. Methods. A phantom was rigidly affixed within a Leksell stereotactic frame and axial computerized tomography scans were obtained using an appropriate stereotactic localization device. Treatment plans were performed, film was inserted into a recessed area, and the phantom was positioned and treated according to each treatment plan. In the case of the LINAC system, four 140° arcs, spanning ± 60° of couch rotation, were used. In the case of the GK unit, all 201 sources were left unplugged. Radiation was delivered using 3- and 8-mm LINAC collimators and 4- and 8-mm collimators of the GK unit. Targeting ability was investigated independently on the dedicated LINAC by using a primate model. Measured 50% spot widths for multisource, single-shot radiation exceeded nominal values in all cases by 38 to 70% for the GK unit and 11 to 33% for the LINAC system. Measured offsets were indicative of submillimeter targeting precision on both devices. In primate studies, the appearance of an magnetic resonance imaging—enhancing lesion coincided with the intended target. Conclusions. Radiosurgery performed using the 3-mm collimator of the dedicated LINAC exhibited characteristics that compared favorably with those of a dedicated GK unit. Overall targeting accuracy in the submillimeter range can be achieved, and dose distributions with sharp falloff can be expected for both devices.

RESEARCH EPIDURAL ANALGESIA TO PAIN RELIEF ON LABOR PROGRESS

2012 ◽  
pp. 31-41
Author(s):  
Quang Thuy Phung ◽  
Ngoc Thanh Cao ◽  
Quang Vinh Truong
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Pain Relief ◽  
Epidural Anesthesia ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Cervical Dilation ◽  
Normal Birth ◽  
Normal Limits ◽  
Constant Pain ◽  
Background Pain

Background: Pain during labor as pain in the fracture is not treated, chronic pain, so pain is very essential issues to be studied. Epidural anesthesia (NMC) has many advantages over spinal anesthesia in constant pain. Study objectives: 1. Assessing the effects analgesia by epidural anesthesia during labor. 2. Assessing progress and final results of labor for pregnant women and fetuses. Materials and Methods: The study described 37 pregnant from 38 to less than 42 weeks had a positive phase of labor to pain relief by continuous epidural anesthesia method, with cervical dilation between 3 cm and 4 cm. Results: Women feel very satisfied (67.5%) on methods of natural pain relief during labor. Most women deliver normally (73%). Evolution of the cervix takes place smoothly. Duration of labor within the normal birth. Breast sucking good condition accounted for 86.5% rate, the reflecting normal 94.6%. Conclusions: This is the effective method of pain relief during labor birth. Duration of labor in normal limits. Side effects occur less and can be well controlled. Keywords: epidural anesthesia; relief pain on labor.

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