- Technical Considerations Regarding Targeted Epidural Blood Patching at C1-C2 for Symptomatic Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension. [Letter]Pain Pract. 2026 Sep; 26(7):e70192.PP
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- Ten Years of Lumbar Transforaminal Epidural Steroid Injections in a Tertiary Referral Center: Trends in Clinical Indications and Outcomes. [Journal Article]Pain Pract. 2026 Sep; 26(7):e70191.PP
- CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study found an upward trend in patient age and a growing proportion of non-discogenic neuroforaminal stenosis as indications for TFESI. While modest short-term pain reduction was observed, outcomes were slightly negatively influenced by central compression, disco-osteophyte abnormalities, chronic symptoms, and female sex.
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- Elevated Serum Soluble CD163 Indicates Macrophage Activation: A Potential Biomarker for Inflammation in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome? [Journal Article]Pain Pract. 2026 Sep; 26(7):e70189.PP
- CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that pro-inflammatory activation of tissue-resident macrophages and thus the monocyte-macrophage system is part of CRPS pathogenesis. The monocyte-macrophage system is an interesting new target for future research into the pathogenesis of CRPS, but also has potential for diagnosis, particularly for assessing the involvement of the immune system and choice of therapy in the individual CRPS patient. Measurement of the sCD163 could be a potential biomarker for inflammation in CRPS.
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- Enhancing Clinical Operability of the PSPS Mechanism-Based Classification. [Letter]Pain Pract. 2026 Sep; 26(7):e70190.PP
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- Mesotherapy With Lidocaine and Ketamine in Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1: A Randomized Double-Blind Trial. [Randomized Controlled Trial]Pain Pract. 2026 Sep; 26(7):e70187.PP
- CONCLUSIONS: This study did not demonstrate the superiority of mesotherapy with ketamine and lidocaine mixtures compared to lidocaine alone in relieving pain for CRPS1 patients. Lidocaine alone or mixed with ketamine can be administered safely with a rigorous mesotherapy procedure.
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- Peripheral Nerve Stimulation of the Sacral Lateral Branches for Sacroiliac Joint Pain: A Technical Report. [Case Reports]Pain Pract. 2026 Jul; 26(6):e70188.PP
- CONCLUSIONS: PNS of the sacral lateral branches, performed using a novel technique, appears to be a safe and effective treatment for SIJ-mediated low back pain refractory to standard therapies. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings.
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- 17. Cancer Pain: Part I: Cordotomy for Unilateral Pain due to Cancer. [Review]Pain Pract. 2026 Jul; 26(6):e70184.PP
- CONCLUSIONS: Cancer pain should ideally be managed in a multidisciplinary and multimodal manner. When conservative treatment fails, a percutaneous cordotomy can be considered for refractory unilateral pain.
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- The False-Negative Paradox: Refining the Prognostic Value of Selective Nerve Root Blocks Before Pulsed Radiofrequency-A Comment on Van Ooijen Et al. [Letter]Pain Pract. 2026 Jul; 26(6):e70186.PP
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- Palliative Analgesia in Patients With Childhood Cancer: A Retrospective Cohort Study. [Journal Article]Pain Pract. 2026 Jul; 26(6):e70185.PP
- CONCLUSIONS: Patient data concerning analgesics' effects and adverse effects were heterogeneous. We followed the WHO analgesic ladder during palliative care. Use of opioids was beneficial; the outcome for other classes of drugs was uncertain based on our limited data.
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- Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Dorsal Root Ganglion Stimulation for Persistent Spinal Pain Syndrome: Results From an Expanded Prospective Registry. [Journal Article]Pain Pract. 2026 Jul; 26(6):e70183.PP
- CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective registry, bilateral T12 DRG-S provided durable reduction in pain intensity, improved physical, psychosocial, and cognitive outcomes, and facilitated meaningful opioid-sparing effects over 2 years. Complications were limited to correctable hardware issues, and therapy discontinuation was rare. Although larger multicentre studies are warranted, these findings add important real-world evidence supporting DRG-S as a valuable therapeutic option for refractory axial LBP.
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- Retrospective Assessment of Adjacent Fracture Risks in Vertebroplasty, Kyphoplasty, and Bone-Tumor Radiofrequency Ablation. [Journal Article]Pain Pract. 2026 Jul; 26(6):e70182.PP
- CONCLUSIONS: BT-RFA combined with cement augmentation significantly reduced the risk of adjacent fractures compared to kyphoplasty or vertebroplasty.
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- Intradural Fibrosis Following Percutaneous Spinal Cord Stimulator Placement: A Case Report. [Case Reports]Pain Pract. 2026 Jul; 26(6):e70181.PP
- CONCLUSIONS: This represents the first documented case of SCS-associated fibrosis extending intradurally, highlighting a novel and serious complication. Clinicians should maintain vigilance for delayed neurologic decline in patients with long-standing SCS systems and consider open decompression when percutaneous explantation is not feasible.
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- Invasive Spinal Neuromodulation for Chronic Pain in Pediatric Patients: A Scoping Review. [Review]Pain Pract. 2026 Jul; 26(6):e70180.PP
- CONCLUSIONS: Spinal neuromodulation, predominantly SCS, appears to be a promising adjunctive therapy for refractory chronic pain in pediatric patients, particularly for CRPS and erythromelalgia. Despite encouraging findings, the evidence remains limited to small series and case reports. High-quality prospective studies are needed to establish long-term safety, efficacy, and optimal patient selection in this vulnerable population.
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- Comparing Real-Time and Recalled Ratings of Phantom Limb Pain Intensity. [Journal Article]Pain Pract. 2026 Jun; 26(5):e70176.PP
- CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that momentary ratings of phantom limb pain intensity may yield more accurate information than standard recalled ratings. Assessment of phantom limb pain in a clinical setting could benefit from more frequent, real-time measurement to better track changes in pain and evaluate treatment effects.
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- A Health Beliefs Model of Long-Term Prescription Opioid Use for Chronic Pain. [Journal Article]Pain Pract. 2026 Jun; 26(5):e70177.PP
- CONCLUSIONS: Educating patients about the numerous physical and psychiatric consequences of chronic opioid use is warranted. Additional research is needed to measure physician beliefs about the risks and benefits of very long-term opioid use among adherent patients.
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