• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2011

During root canal treatment, overinstrumentation with hand or mechanically driven files can perforate the mandibular canal, allowing the extrusion of endodontic sealers, dressing agents, and irrigant solutions out of the tooth and into the canal. The patient may report symptoms such as pain, hyperesthesia, hypoesthesia, anesthesia, dysesthesia and paresthesia. Such problems must be resolved as quickly as possible to avoid irreversible sequelae caused by certain neurotoxic materials that form part of endodontic sealants. Although there have been no controlled trials of treatment protocols involving endodontically related injuries to the inferior alveolar nerve, the normal therapeutic sequence for this complication is the control of pain and inflammation and, whenever possible, the surgical elimination of the cause. However, total resolution of pain and reduction in or disappearance of paraesthesia after a non-surgical management have been reported. Antiepileptic drugs such as gabapentin or pregabalin have been used for the treatment of neuropathic pain. This article describes a case of inferior alveolar nerve(IAN) damage after endodontic treatment of a mandibular right second molar and the treatment with non-surgical approach using prednisone and gabapentin medication, monitoring the patient's condition with clinical neurosensory examination and current perception threshold test(Neurometer).

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.323-338
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• 2022

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic oral disorder of unknown etiology which presents therapeutic challenges. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has been studied as a potential treatment for BMS. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effectiveness of ALA compared to that of placebo or other interventions in individuals with BMS. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) using ALA to treat BMS were identified from MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science up to February 3, 2021. The assessment of the risk of bias in the included studies was based on the Cochrane guidelines. The primary outcome evaluated was the visual analog scale (VAS) pain intensity. ALA was compared with placebo, clonazepam, gabapentin, pregabalin, ALA plus gabapentin, capsaicin, Biotène^®, and laser therapy. Altogether, 137 records were scanned for inclusion/exclusion, and nine RCTs (two unclear and seven at high risk of bias) were included in the qualitative and quantitative analyses, with a total of 594 patients with BMS included in this review. All studies reported an improvement in VAS pain scores ranging from -0.72 to -2.77. Meta-analysis results showed a non-significant reduction in pain intensity for ALA (P = 0.616) compared to that of placebo on a VAS of 0-10. Patients taking ALA were 1.923 times more likely to show an improvement in self-reported BMS symptoms (P = 0.031) than those in the placebo group. Clonazepam and pregabalin showed a significant VAS pain reduction of 4.08 and 4.68 (P < 0.001), respectively, compared to that with ALA. Although ALA intervention provided a non-significant improvement in the pain score and was more likely to produce a reduction in BMS symptoms, the evidence was of low quality. Further research is needed to establish clear guidelines for the use of ALA for BMS treatment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2014

Objective : The restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common disorder affecting up to 5% to 15% of the general population, in which the incidence increases with age, and includes paresthesia in the legs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence of RLS in spine center and to review clinical manifestations of this syndrome and its current treatments. Methods : Over a period of a year, retrospective medical record review and lumbar magnetic resonance images were performed on 32 patients with RLS in spine clinic who were diagnosed by National Institutes of Health criteria. Affected limbs were classified as five. Two grading systems were used in the evaluation of neural compromises. Results : The incidence of RLS was 5.00% (32/639). There were 16 males (50%) and 16 females (50%). The median age at diagnosis was 55.4 years (range, 25-93 years). There are no correlation between the affected limbs of RLS and neural compromises on the lumbar spine. Conclusion : The RLS is a clearly common neurologic disorder of the limbs, usually the legs. The awareness of this syndrome can help reduce diagnostic error; thereby, avoiding the morbidity and expense associated with unnecessary studies or inappropriate treatments in RLS patients.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.247-249
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• 2015

Herpes zoster most commonly occurs in elderly patients, and usually affects sensory neurons. Therefore, its characteristic symptoms are segmental pain, itching, and sensory changes in the affected areas. A 71-yr-old woman experienced painful herpetic rash on the right cervical 2-4 dermatomes for 16 days. Two days after the onset of the rash, she was diagnosed with herpes zoster, and prescribed 250 mg famciclovir three times a day for 7 days, pregabalin 150 mg twice a day, and tramadol 150 mg once a day for 14 days, by a dermatologist. Despite medication, her pain was rated at an intensity of 6/10 on the numeric rating scale. In addition, she complained of severe itching sensation on the affected dermatomes. Superficial cervical plexus block (SCPB) was performed at the right C4 level with 15 ml 0.5% lidocaine plus triamcinolone 30 mg. Five days after the procedure, pain and itching completely disappeared. SCPB may be an effective option for the treatment of acute pain and itching arising from herpes zoster, and for the prevention of postherpetic neuralgia.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.371-373
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• 2021

Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a potentially life-threatening condition that is caused by the administration of drugs that increase serotonergic activity in the central nervous system. We report a case of serotonin syndrome in a patient with chronic pain who was taking analgesic drugs. A 36-year-old female with chronic pain in the lower back and right buttock area had been taking tramadol hydrochloride 187.5 mg, acetaminophen 325 mg, pregabalin 150 mg, duloxetine 60 mg, and triazolam 0.25 mg daily for several months. After amitriptyline 10 mg was added to achieve better pain control, the patient developed SS, which was mistaken for psychogenic nonepileptic seizure. However, her symptoms completely disappeared after discontinuation of the drugs that were thought to trigger SS and subsequent hydration with normal saline. Various drugs that can increase serotonergic activity are being widely prescribed for patients with chronic pain. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for the occurrence of SS when prescribing pain medications to patients with chronic pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2010

Chronic pain is a multifactorial condition with both physical and psychological symptoms, and it affects around 20% of the population in the developed world. In spite of outstanding advances in pain management over the past decades, chronic pain remains a significant problem. This article provides a mechanism- and evidence-based approach to improve the outcome for pharmacologic management of chronic pain. The usual approach to treat mild to moderate pain is to start with a nonopioid analgesic. If this is inadequate, and if there is an element of sleep deprivation, then it is reasonable to add an antidepressant with analgesic qualities. If there is a component of neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia, then a trial with one of the gabapentinoids is appropriate. If these steps are inadequate, then an opioid analgesic may be added. For moderate to severe pain, one would initiate an earlier trial of a long term opioid. Skeletal muscle relaxants and topicals may also be appropriate as single agents or in combination. Meanwhile, the steps of pharmacologic treatments for neuropathic pain include (1) certain antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), calcium channel ${\alpha}2-{\delta}$ ligands (gabapentin and pregabalin) and topical lidocaine, (2) opioid analgesics and tramadol (for first-line use in selected clinical circumstances) and (3) certain other antidepressant and antiepileptic medications (topical capsaicin, mexiletine, and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonists). It is essential to have a thorough understanding about the different pain mechanisms of chronic pain and evidence-based multi-mechanistic treatment. It is also essential to increase the individualization of treatment.

• Clinical Pain
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.32-35
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• 2020

Treatment-induced neuropathy in diabetes (TIND) is a reversible neuropathy that occurs in patients with diabetes, usually after a fast improvement in glycemic control. TIND is defined as the sudden onset of neuropathic pain or autonomic dysfunction with a large improvement in glycemic control (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] level of ≥ 2% over 3 months). We report the first case of a 24-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes mellitus who developed TIND in Korea. Her HbA1c level had decreased from 16.7% to 7.3% within a 3-month period. She developed acute-onset, severe, and continuous burning pain affecting her back and lower extremities. She was administered tapentadol (50 mg), pregabalin (75 mg), and vitamin B with minerals twice daily for neuropathic pain. She complained of orthostatic hypotension; thus, midodrine (2.5 mg) and anti-embolic stockings were prescribed. She almost completely recovered 6 months after the onset. A physician should be aware of TIND and gradually reduce HbA1c levels to prevent the occurrence of TIDN. They must also try to provide relief from severe pain or autonomic dysfunction and emphasize on an almost complete recovery.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.73-83
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• 2024

Background: Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a chronic condition that is characterized by persistent back pain following one or more spinal surgeries. Pharmacological interventions, such as the use of opioids and gabapentinoids, are frequently used in the treatment of FBSS. However, prolonged and excessive use of these medications can lead to dependence and adverse effects. This study investigates trends in opioid and gabapentinoid prescriptions among patients with FBSS in Korea from 2016 to 2020. Methods: Data from the Health Insurance and Review Agency were analyzed, and claims listing FBSS were selected for the study. Prescription patterns of opioids and gabapentinoids were classified based on the number of days prescribed per year. Results: Of the 390,095 patients diagnosed with FBSS, 41.6% of the patients were prescribed gabapentinoids, and 42.0% of them were prescribed opioids, while 10.6% of the patients were classified as long-term gabapentinoid users, 11.4% as long-term opioid users, and 7.4% of the patients were found to have long-term prescriptions for both drugs. The proportion of patients who received both gabapentinoid and opioid prescriptions increased annually. The doses of opioids prescribed have also increased along with the increase in the number of patients receiving opioid prescriptions. Conclusions: The prescription rates of opioids and gabapentinoids among patients with FBSS in Korea continue to increase steadily, posing potential risks of addiction and adverse effects. Further research is needed to better understand the actual status of addiction in patients with FBSS.