Interventional Pain Procedures

Interventional Pain Procedures

Interventional Pain Procedures

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IPP Basics & Assessment - Ground Zero Prep

  • Goal: Diagnose & treat pain via minimally invasive techniques.
  • Indications: Chronic pain refractory to conservative Rx (neuropathic, MSK, cancer).
  • Contraindications (Absolute): Infection at site, uncorrected coagulopathy (INR > 1.5, Plt < 50k), true allergy, patient refusal.
  • Patient Assessment:
    • History: 📌 OLD CARTS (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating/Relieving, Radiation, Timing, Severity).
    • Exam: Focused neuro/MSK. Pain scales (VAS, NRS).
    • Labs/Imaging: Coags, relevant imaging (MRI/CT/X-ray).
    • Informed Consent.
  • Safety Essentials: "Time-out", Asepsis, Image guidance (US/Fluoroscopy), Radiation safety (ALARA).

⭐ A "Time Out" (correct patient, site, procedure) is MANDATORY before needle insertion.

Major Nerve Blocks - Pinpoint Relief

  • Principle: Targeted delivery of local anesthetics (LA) ± corticosteroids near specific nerves or nerve plexuses for diagnosis or therapy.
  • Guidance is Key: Fluoroscopy or Ultrasound essential for precision and safety. Lumbar Epidural Steroid Injection Diagram
  • Key Procedures & Indications:
    • Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI): For radiculopathy, spinal stenosis.
      • Approaches: Interlaminar, Transforaminal (TFESI - more specific).
    • Facet Joint Interventions: For facet-mediated axial pain.
      • Diagnostic: Medial Branch Block (MBB).
      • Therapeutic: Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of medial branches.
    • Sympathetic Blocks: For CRPS, visceral pain.
      • Examples: Stellate ganglion, Lumbar sympathetic, Celiac plexus.
    • Major Peripheral Nerve Blocks: For specific neuralgias (e.g., occipital, genicular).
  • Common Agents: LAs (Bupivacaine, Lidocaine), Steroids (Triamcinolone).
  • Risks: Infection, hematoma, nerve injury, LA toxicity.

⭐ For facet joint pain, a positive response to two diagnostic medial branch blocks (MBBs) with >80% pain relief is typically required before proceeding to RFA.

Advanced Pain Therapies - Beyond Blocks

  • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
    • Mechanism: Thermal neurolysis via high-frequency current.
    • Types: Conventional (lesion at 80-90°C), Pulsed (non-destructive, neuromodulatory), Cooled (larger lesions).
    • Indications: Facet joint arthropathy, sacroiliitis, trigeminal neuralgia.
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS)
    • Mechanism: Gate control theory modulation; paresthesia overlaps pain area.
    • Indications: Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS), Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), refractory neuropathic pain.
    • Trial period essential before permanent implant.
  • Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems (IDDS)
    • Mechanism: Direct delivery of microdoses to CSF.
    • Indications: Severe cancer pain, intractable chronic non-malignant pain, spasticity (baclofen).
    • Common drugs: Morphine, ziconotide, baclofen.
  • Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS)
    • Targets specific peripheral nerves for mononeuropathies (e.g., occipital neuralgia).

Spinal cord stimulator placement diagram

⭐ Ziconotide, an N-type calcium channel blocker, is a non-opioid analgesic used in intrathecal pumps and does NOT cause respiratory depression.

Imaging & Pharmacology - See & Soothe

  • Imaging Modalities:
    • Fluoroscopy: Real-time X-ray, needle guidance. AP, lateral, oblique views. Contrast (Iohexol) confirms spread. ⚠️ Radiation.
    • Ultrasound (USG): Real-time, no radiation. Visualizes nerves, vessels, soft tissues. Linear (superficial) & curvilinear (deep) probes. Ultrasound-guided lumbar spine interventional procedure
  • Pharmacological Agents:
    • Local Anesthetics (LAs): Reversibly block Na+ channels.
      • Amides (Lidocaine, Bupivacaine; 📌 two "i"s): Longer action. Max Lidocaine: 7 mg/kg (with epi).
      • Esters (Procaine, Chloroprocaine; 📌 one "i"): Shorter action, ↑allergy (PABA).
    • Corticosteroids: Potent anti-inflammatory.
      • Particulate (Methylprednisolone): Longer acting, ⚠️ embolic risk (avoid intravascular).
      • Non-particulate (Dexamethasone): Safer for high-risk vascular areas (transforaminal).
    • Contrast Media: Non-ionic iodinated (Iohexol) confirms placement, rules out intravascular uptake.

    ⭐ For Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (LAST), esp. Bupivacaine cardiotoxicity, give Intralipid 20% (1.5 mL/kg bolus).

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Celiac plexus block: key for upper abdominal cancer pain (e.g., pancreatic).
  • Stellate ganglion block: for upper limb CRPS, Raynaud's disease.
  • Lumbar sympathetic block: for lower limb CRPS, phantom limb pain.
  • Epidural Steroid Injections (ESI): for radicular pain; transforaminal approach common.
  • Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) of medial branches: for facet joint pain.
  • Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS): for Failed Back Surgery Syndrome (FBSS), refractory CRPS.
  • Intrathecal pumps: for severe refractory cancer pain or chronic non-malignant pain.

Practice Questions: Interventional Pain Procedures

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Gadolinium is a contrast agent used for:

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Flashcards: Interventional Pain Procedures

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_____ block is used for pain relief in chronic pancreatitis as well as pancreatic carcinoma

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_____ block is used for pain relief in chronic pancreatitis as well as pancreatic carcinoma

Celiac plexus

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