ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Altered Cortical Reorganization and Brain Functional Connectivity in Phantom Limb Pain: A Functional MRI Study
With this study Bi-Xin Zheng and colleagues from Sichuan University, Chengdu, China (see page 394-403) demonstrate the importance of imaging techniques in pain science and, more specific, in understanding the possible mechanism involved in phantom limb pain. Phantom limb pain is one of those indications difficult to treat and understanding the underlying mechanism is of utmost important to further improve the treatment. Use of fMRI showed that M1/S1 cortical reorganization and altered supplementary motor area (SMA) network functional connectivity (FC) in different areas of the brain is involved in phantom limb pain. Imaging techniques in pain management become more and more important. High clinical awareness.
REVIEW ARTICLE
Guidelines for Cancer‐Related Pain: A Systematic Review of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Recommendations
As cancer-related pain (CRP) is one of the most common and debilitating symptoms associated with cancer progression and treatment development of guidelines and critical evaluation based on a systematic review is very important. Jeremy Y Ng and Alisha E Sharma from McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (see pages 454-467). The study was conducted to identify the quantity and assess the quality of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) recommendations across clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the treatment and/or management of CRP. As the quality varied within and across CPGs the results of this systematic review is important in future treatment and management of CPG. Must read for the (cancer) pain doctor.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Sex‐specific Differences in Multisite Pain Presentation among Adults with Lower‐Limb Loss
Emma Haldane Bleisheim and colleagues from University of Delaware, Newark USA (see pages 419-427) addressed this important gender issue in their study on multisite pain presentation among adults with lower-limb loss. In a cross-sectional study it is shown that gender differences do occur and that future research is needed to identify mechanisms underlying sex-specific differences in pain presentation and evaluate the impact of sex on pain related outcomes post amputation. High clinical awareness and impact.
REVIEW ARTICLE
Effectiveness of Epiduroscopy for Patients with Failed Back Surgery Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
This review concludes that mechanical adhesiolysis is effective in FBSS patients and shows a reduction in pain and disability scores at 6 to 12 months. It is noted that the quality of evidence is moderate, and the level of recommendation is weak. Still pain practitioners should consider the benefits of epiduroscopy after weighing the risks for individual patients with FBSS. High clinical impact.