Anosmia and parosmia refer to the loss or dysfunction of smell, respectively. Dysgeusia refers to taste disturbance. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the subsequent phenomenon of Long COVID syndrome have been associated with an increased incidence of anosmia and dysgeusia. Smell and taste disturbances associated with COVID-19 are usually self-limiting but can persist for longer periods in some cases. Imbalances of the autonomic nervous system, especially dysregulation of the sympathetic system, are implicated in the persistence of anosmia and dysgeusia post-COVID-19 infection. Stellate ganglion block (SGB) can diminish the increased sympathetic activity and potentially resolve anosmia and dysgeusia occurring due to Long COVID. The authors report the successful resolution of persistent anosmia and dysgeusia due to Long COVID in a female patient after she underwent SGB.
Background:Pain relief remains the most fundamental and consequential aspect of surgery for patients throughout perioperative period. Dexmedetomidine has created an interest in α2-adrenoceptor agonists in the management of pain and hence the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the drug in hilly population of North India.Materials and Methods:Patients, irrespective of gender, were randomly allocated to two groups, control and test, each having 30 patients. Test group received an infusion of dexmedetomidine at a rate of 0.5 μg/kg/h 30 min before induction and 0.6 μg/kg/h after inducing anesthesia. Control patients received a volume-matched infusion of normal saline as placebo. Approximately 2 min before induction, analgesia was provided in the form of pentazocine, 0.5 mg/kg in control and 0.3 mg/kg in the test group. Induction was performed by 2 mg/kg thiopentone sodium supplemented with intravenous boluses of 25 mg thiopentone sodium every 15 s until loss of eyelid reflex (determined every 15 s). Induction dose of thiopentone sodium and total pentazocine dose were recorded. Recovery was assessed on the clinical recovery score (CRS) scale.Results:Infusion of dexmedetomidine decreased the induction dose of thiopentone approximately by 33% and of pentazocine dose by approximately 39% in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Moreover, incidence of pain was also decreased significantly. Improved CRS from 4.33 to 6.87 was noticed immediately post-operatively in dexmedetomidine group of patients.Conclusion:Infusion of dexmedetomidine during the laparoscopic cholecystectomy decreases the requirement of thiopentone sodium and pentazocine and leads to early recovery of patients.
ObjectiveLower back pain (LBP) is a worldwide health problem, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a common modality used to aid in its diagnosis. Although specific guidelines for assessing the necessity of MRI usage exist, the use of MRI as the initial imaging method for LBP seems to be more common than necessary in general practice. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of 313 patients who had undergone MRI of the lumbosacral spine during 2014–2015. We recorded and compared various factors, including age, sex, body mass index, current smoking status, race, symptoms, MRI findings, and progression to surgery within the next year. All rates were compared according to whether the MRI results showed radiographically significant findings (MRI-positive) or not (MRI-negative) using the chi-square or Fisher exact tests (if the expected cell count was <5). All analyses were performed using SAS version 9.4. ResultsThere were no statistically significant differences in the rates of each symptom between the MRI-positive and MRI-negative groups, which accounted for 58.5% (183 of 313) and 41.5% (130 of 313) of the MRIs, respectively. The difference in the rate of surgery in the next year (18% among MRI-positive patients and 8.5% among MRI-negative patients) was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). ConclusionBased on our findings, 41.5% of patients underwent lumbar MRI unnecessarily and 81% of patients with positive MRIs did not have surgery within the next year. Further physician training is needed to avoid unnecessary investigations and expenditures.
Dorsal root ganglion stimulation is a relatively new treatment option for chronic pain conditions such as pudendal neuralgia, which is a chronic pain condition affecting the pudendal nerve in the pelvic region. Pudendal neuralgia is a debilitating condition that can significantly affect the patient's quality of life. In dorsal root ganglion stimulation, a small device is implanted that delivers electrical impulses to the dorsal root ganglion to modulate pain signals coming from the pudendal nerve. The procedure is considered investigational and has been investigated in case series and case reports with promising results. However, more research is needed to fully understand its safety and effectiveness. This case report highlights the potential of dorsal root ganglion stimulation as a treatment option for pudendal neuralgia and the need for further research to establish it as a standard treatment option.
The number of joint replacement surgeries, especially knee replacement surgeries, is rising with the rising geriatric population. Chronic unremitting knee pain post-total knee replacement surgery is a common phenomenon. Usually, the pain responds to conservative measures, including physical therapy and medical management. In some patients, the pain post-knee replacement surgery can be refractory and unremitting. In such scenarios, peripheral nerve stimulation, or neuromodulation, can be an effective option.
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