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Biomedical subjects

S Ischia

Publications and source records attributed to S Ischia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Three posterior percutaneous celiac plexus block techniques. A prospective, randomized study in 61 patients with pancreatic cancer pain.

Variations and refinements of the classic retrocrural technique of neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) for pancreatic cancer pain (PCP) have been proposed over the last 30 yr to improve success rates, avoid complications and enhance diagnostic accuracy. The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to assess the efficacy and morbidity of three posterior percutaneous NCPB techniques in 61 patients with PCP. The 61 patients were randomly allocated to three NCPB treatment groups: group 1 (20 patients, transaortic plexus block); group 2 (20 patients, classic retrocrural block); and group 3 (21 patients, bilateral chemical splanchnicectomy). The quality and quantity of pain were analyzed before and after NCPB. No statistically significant differences (P greater than 0.05) were found among the three techniques in terms of either immediate or up-to-death results. Operative mortality was nil with the three techniques and morbidity negligible. NCPB abolished celiac PCP in 70-80% of patients immediately after the block and in 60-75% until death. Because celiac pain was only a component of PCP in all patients, especially in those with a longer time course until death: 1) abolition of such pain did not ensure high percentages of complete pain relief (immediate pain relief in 40-52%; pain relief until death in 10-24%); 2) NCPB was effective in controlling PCP in a higher percentage of cases if performed early after pain onset, when the pain was still only or mainly of celiac type and responded well to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug therapy; and 3) the probability of patients remaining completely pain-free diminished with increased survival time.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Percutaneous controlled thermocoagulation in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

This study reviews the results and complications of 162 percutaneous thermocoagulations of the gasserian ganglion in 124 patients with typical idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. The mean duration of follow-up observation was 3.7 years (range, 1-6 years). One hundred eighteen of 124 patients continued to show complete pain relief 1 month after the operation, and at the end of follow-up observation, 83 of 124 patients (67%) continued to enjoy complete pain relief (recurrence rate, 28.2%). Anesthesia dolorosa occurred in 3% of cases, dysesthesia in 3%, and paresthesia in 17%; neuroparalytic keratitis with permanent reduction of visual acuity was observed in 2% of cases, permanent diplopia in 1%, permanent hearing deficit in 3%, and permanent impairment of mastication in 3%. We compare thermocoagulation with other surgical procedures (microvascular decompression, glycerol injection, and percutaneous decompression) used in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Adult

Retrogasserian glycerol injection: a retrospective study of 112 patients.

From 1984 to 1989, 112 patients with typical drug-refractory trigeminal neuralgia were treated by retrogasserian glycerol injection. The present study assesses results and complications after a mean follow-up period of 3.5 years (range 0.1-5.5 years). One hundred and three of 112 patients (91.9%) showed complete pain relief 1 month postoperatively, and at the end of follow-up 80 patients (71.4%) were still enjoying complete pain relief (recurrence rate 20.5%). Abnormal facial sensations were noted in 49 patients, the most common complication being mild hypoesthesia (32% of patients), while paresthesia occurred in 19% of cases and dysesthesia in 3%. The corneal reflex was absent in 3% of patients and reduced in 5%. None of the patients developed anesthesia dolorosa, permanent masseter weakness, neuroparalytic keratitis, or diplopia.

Adult

Role of unilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy in the treatment of neoplastic vertebral pain.

The present study is a long-term report on 69 patients undergoing unilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy for vertebral pain due to neoplastic bone metastases. The pain was unilateral or bilateral and was characterised by a chronic and/or an incident component. Seventy-one per cent (49/69) of the patients benefitted from the operation, obtaining complete, lasting pain relief or a reduced degree of pain, amenable to control by medication with narcotic or non-narcotic drugs. There was a survival Q(50%) of 5 months (S.E. = 1.6) with no pain and a satisfactory quality of life.

Cordotomy

Bilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy: immediate and long-term results in 36 patients with neoplastic disease.

Thirty-six patients with neoplastic disease suffering from chronic bilateral pain were subjected to bilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy. The technique and precautions to be taken in bilateral percutaneous cervical cordotomy performed either in one or two stages are described using a traditional or Levin's thermocouple-monitored electrode. The sequelae, complications and immediate and long-term results are reported.

Cordotomy

Cerebral tryptophan metabolism in humans in relation to malignant pain.

The authors investigated the cerebral metabolism of tryptophan in patients suffering from malignant pain by means of CSF dosage of tryptophan (Trp), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). The level of 5-HIAA in patients with pain was 66.48 +/- 13.67 ng/ml, while in those without pain was 25.05 +/- 13.25 ng/ml; the difference was statistically significant, p = 0.001. Trp, 5-HTP and 5-HT levels did not register significant differences in the two groups of patients, although a tendency to lower values was seen in patients with pain, supporting the hypothesis of increased turnover of this metabolic pathway in cancer patients. A statistically significant inverse correlation was also found between cerebral Trp levels and pain levels measured on the Scott-Huskisson visual analogue scale. The data obtained confirm the importance of the cerebral serotoninergic pathway in pain modulation and the interest which CSF analysis may have for the assessment of patients suffering from pain.

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