Chemotherapy-induced neuropathy has limited treatment options, and conventional medications used to treat neuropathic pain often do not provide adequate pain relief for patients with a history of cancer. Neuromodulation such as dorsal root ganglion stimulation remains a treatment that has been studied for chronic painful conditions such as low back pain, pelvic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, and phantom limb pain. Dorsal root ganglion stimulation has been presented for treatment of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, but with limited duration of follow-up. We present a case of pain resolution after placement of a dorsal root ganglion stimulation for persistent chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Our patient developed burning pain and allodynia in both feet 3 mos into her chemotherapy regimen, with worsened symptoms after cessation of chemotherapy. After failure of conservative pharmacotherapies, a 7-day dorsal root ganglion stimulation trial was implanted, resulting in 100% pain relief. A dorsal root ganglion stimulation was then implanted permanently, and our patient reported continued resolution of symptoms at evaluation 3 yrs after placement. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first case of sustained relief with dorsal root ganglion stimulation placement for chemotherapy-induced neuropathy and presents a treatment option that warrants further investigation.
Background: To reduce pain and anxiety associated with interventional pain procedures, sedation is often used, with benzodiazepines, opioids, and propofol the most commonly used classes of drugs for sedation. However, patient coherence and ability to communicate procedural pain and abnormal sensations help prevent adverse outcomes. Therefore, discovering alternative therapies to mitigate the anxiety and pain associated with these procedures and to minimize risk is important. The aim of our study was to investigate whether lavender has an effect on pain and anxiety associated with lumbar epidural steroid injections and lumbar medial branch blocks. Methods: In this randomized controlled study, 54 subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 intervention groups, and 46 patients were included in the final analysis: experimental lavender group (n=17), control almond oil group (n=15), and placebo sterile water group (n=14). Patients wore a mask infused with either lavender, almond oil, or water for 5 minutes prior to and during their procedure. Patients rated their anxiety using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory prior to and after the procedure based on how they felt during the procedure. Patients rated their pain according to the numerical rating scale. Outcome measures were a comparison of pain among the 3 groups and a comparison of the change in anxiety before and after the procedure among the 3 groups. Results: The lavender group demonstrated the highest mean change in anxiety scores (9.9) compared to almond oil (5.3) and water (3.6) preprocedurally vs postprocedurally. The lavender group also reported the lowest mean pain level (3.8) compared to almond oil (5.6) and water (5.6). However, none of the differences between groups showed statistical significance at the P <0.05 level. Conclusion: Lavender may have a clinically beneficial effect on anxiety levels and pain reduction.
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