These results suggest that B-STN-DBS may be an interesting treatment option for generalized dystonia, even for patients who have already undergone bilateral pallidotomy.

IntroductionFacet joint injections (FJIs) of anesthetic and corticosteroids are useful for the diagnosis and treatment of low back pain (LBP). In the current study, we evaluated the efficacy of FJI on LBP treatment and the predictive variables of pain recurrence after FJI.MethodsWe included and followed prospectively forty-three consecutive patients with chronic LBP treated with FJI. Clinical assessments were carried out at a baseline 1 week before FJIs and after a 6-month follow-up visit using the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for disability-specific measure and MacNab criteria for global effectiveness, and compared through analysis using paired-samples “t” tests. Multiple cox-regression analysis was used to identify the presurgical variables independently associated with pain recurrence anytime during the follow-up. In addition to the demographic, clinical, and surgical data, we also analyzed psychometric scales: Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).ResultsAfter a 6-month follow-up, thirty-two patients (74.4%) showed a clinically significant reduction of pain and twenty-seven (62.8%) reported a clinically significant improvement of disability. Presurgical catastrophizing (PCS score ≥ 5, adjusted HR 4.4, CI 95% 1.7–11.3, p = 0.002) and smoking (Adjusted HR 12.5, CI 95% 1.1–138.9, p = 0.04) remains associated with pain recurrence.ConclusionFJI reduces LBP and disability of patients with unresponsive LBP. Pain-related cognitive and behavioral factors determined by pain catastrophizing and smoking were independently associated with pain recurrence after lumbar FJI. The results support the need of a multidisciplinary approach for presurgical evaluation of patients with chronic pain.

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Objective: Trigeminal neuralgia is the most common facial pain. It may be treated with percutaneous balloon compression (PBC), which is considered to be a safe and efficient procedure. The purpose of this study was to review our results with PBC and to assess the factors influencing the outcome. Method: A multivariate analysis was used to study 39 patients during a 50-month postoperative period. Results: There was predominance of the female gender (54%), the right side of the face (84%) and V2V3 roots of trigeminal nerve (33%). The mean age was 62.3 years. No major complications or deaths occurred. Among all variables, postoperative hypoesthesia was the single prognostic factor capable of positively influencing the results (p=0.02). Most patients (80%) were pain-free after 50 months with a 90% satisfaction rate. Conclusion: PBC was a safe procedure with low morbidity, no mortality, high approval ratings, and was an important improving on patients' quality of life. Key words: trigeminal neuralgia, facial hypoesthesia, percutaneous balloon compression, trigeminal nerve, facial neuralgia.Estudo prospectivo de 39 pacientes com neuralgia do trigêmeo tratados com compressão por balão percutâneo RESUMO Objetivo: A neuralgia do trigêmeo é a dor facial mais comum. Ela pode ser tratada através da compressão percutânea com balão, que é considerado procedimento seguro e eficaz. A proposta deste estudo foi avaliar nossos resultados e os fatores que influenciariam o seguimento. Método: Foi utilizada análise multivariada para estudar 39 pacientes submetidos ao procedimento, com seguimento de 50 meses. Resultados: Houve predominância do sexo feminino (54%), lado direito (84%) e dos ramos V2V3 (33%). A idade média foi de 62,3 anos. Não houve complicações maiores ou óbito. Dentre todas as variáveis, a única capaz de influenciar positivamente os resultados foi a hipoestesia pós-operatória (p=0,02). A maioria dos pacientes (80%) estava livre da dor após 50 meses de seguimento, com 90%

Background A spinal osteoid osteoma is a rare benign tumor. The usual treatment involves complete curettage including the nidus. In the thoracic spine, conventional open surgical treatment usually carries relatively high surgical risks because of the close anatomic relationship to the spinal cord, nerve roots, and thoracic vessels, and pulmonary complications and postoperative pain. Case Report We report the case of a 16-year-old girl with a symptomatic osteoid osteoma at the T9 level whose lesion was currettaged using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) guided by a navigation system (VATS-NAV). There were no complications and the patient had immediate relief of the characteristic pain after surgery and was asymptomatic at 5 months' followup. Literature Review Progressive advances in the technology of spinal surgery have evolved to offer greater safety and less morbidity for patients. The advent of minimally invasive surgery has expanded the indications for VATS for anterior spinal disorders. Spinal navigation systems have become useful tools allowing localization and excision of the nidus of osteoid osteomas with minimal bone resection and without radiation exposure. Clinical Relevance The VATS-NAV combination in our patient allowed accurate localization and guidance for complete excision of a spinal osteoid osteoma through a minimally invasive approach without compromising spinal stability.

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We presented a case of drug-resistant trigeminal neuralgia attributed to vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia, a rare condition characterized by enlargement, tortuosity, or elongation of intracranial arteries. Dolichoectatic vessels can cause dysfunction of cranial nerves through direct vascular compression. The relationships of vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia with the particularities of neurovascular conflict and images findings are discussed.

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