Painful Spasms Research Articles

Isolated leg weakness with painful spasms in an adolescent.

Isolated leg weakness with painful spasms in an adolescent.

7999 Tumor Induced Osteomalacia Caused By Glomangiopericytoma

Abstract Disclosure: N. Kabir: None. E. Campbell: None. S. Singh: None. Introduction: Tumor induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome caused primarily by FGF-23 secreting tumors. Excessive production of FGF23 causes hypophosphatemia, decreased phosphate resorption in the gut, increased renal phosphate wasting, and decreased activation of Vitamin D. This leads to decreased bone density, bone pain, proximal muscle weakness, impaired gait, and recurrent fractures. Case Presentation: 44 year old male with a history of recurrent insufficiency fractures and weakness. At the time of evaluation, he reported fracture of tibial growth plate, sacral fracture, and metatarsal stress fracture. Other symptoms included bone pain, fatigue, muscle weakness, and intercostal muscle spasms with exertion. His pain was debilitating, requiring crutches to ambulate. Available labs at that time were significant for hypophosphatemia (1.3 mg/dL), elevated ALP (160 U/L), low 25OH-vitamin D (26 ng/mL), and normal calcium (8.7 mg/dL). Urine studies demonstrated phosphaturia (fractional excretion of phosphate, 62.4%). FGF23 level resulted at the upper limit of normal (210 RU/mL). Pending further evaluation, burosumab was started. Further work up included a 68Ga-PET-DOTATATE scan revealing a somatostatin receptor expressing soft tissue mass in the left sphenoid sinus and posterior left ethmoid sinus. The scan also demonstrated impending bilateral femur fractures, prior rib fractures, and sacral insufficiency fractures. Based on these findings, he was admitted to the hospital and underwent prophylactic, intramedullary nail fixation of his bilateral femur fractures. He underwent resection of skull base tumor with the final pathology revealing a sinonasal glomangiopericytoma. Immunohistochemical stain was positive for CD99 and cyclin D1, and focally positive for SMA, consistent with histopathologic diagnosis. Patient required prolonged inpatient rehabilitation to recover independent ambulation. Discussion: Sinonasal glomangiopericytoma (SNGP) is a mesenchymal tumor that accounts for <0.5% of all nasal and sinus tumors. TIO due to SNGP is extremely rare, with only a few cases reported since the 1990s. As seen with our patient, TIO from SNGP rarely presents with sinonasal symptoms, and can often be overlooked. Our patient hadb significant progression of disease and disability due to numerous delays in diagnosis and management. Definitive cure for TIO can be achieved with complete surgical resection of the tumor, but failure to diagnose in a timely manner can result in decline in quality of life. Our takeaway from this case is that providers should obtain FGF23 levels, especially in the setting of hypophosphatemia and phosphaturia, to complete the work up for osteomalacia. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Clinical application of myofascial therapy in the treatment of postpartum pain-related functional disorders: A review.

During pregnancy, fetal growth could lead to changes in human biomechanics. If postpartum recovery was not properly managed, it could be exacerbated, resulting in myofascial system disorders and various functional impairments. Among them, pain-related functional disorders were an important issue affecting quality of life in postpartum women. The pathogenesis of these disorders remained unclear but it was primarily associated with changes in biomechanics, the endocrine system, and nervous function. However, postpartum pain-related dysfunction had been considered a normal physiological response to childbirth, leading to a lack of attention. Therefore, many postpartum women failed to receive timely, effective, and standardized treatment, hindering their ability to reintegrate into family and society, and causing severe damage to their physical and mental health. In clinical practice, myofascial therapy could effectively alleviate postpartum pain and muscle spasms, improve excessive tension injuries in myofascial, and had a good therapeutic effect on postpartum pain-related functional disorders. The mechanism of myofascial therapy involved improving core muscle strength, restoring normal body alignment, and promoting the remodeling of myofascial mechanical structures. This article explored the positive effects of myofascial therapy on postpartum pain-related functional disorders from a biomechanical perspective, aiming to provide diverse treatment approaches for clinical practitioners.

Woodhouse-sakati syndrome with no reportable MRI findings: a case report

BackgroundWoodhouse-Sakati Syndrome (WSS) is a rare autosomal recessive condition caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the DCAF17 gene, with fewer than 200 cases reported in the literature. Symptoms first emerge in middle-late adolescence with a spectrum of hypogonadal and progressive neurological features.Case presentationWe present a case of WSS with no reportable T2-weighted, apparent diffusion coefficient mapping and susceptibility weighted MRI findings. This differs from cases reported in the current literature. Our patient developed abnormal movements in both legs, clumsiness of the hands, dysarthria, and swallowing difficulties. Moreover, she presented with alopecia manifesting as frontal and temporal balding, severe dystonia with painful dystonic spasms primarily in the left upper limb, as well as primary amenorrhea. She was not independently ambulatory on presentation, requiring wheelchair assistance. Genetic testing, the crucial test for a definitive diagnosis, was undertaken in Qatar and confirmed WSS. Treatment provided includes botulinum toxin injections and deep brain stimulation, providing better dystonia control, with progress in walking and strength exercises, and overall remarkable improvement. Intensive neurorehabilitation regimes were also deployed from admission, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy.ConclusionThis case adds to the current literature on WSS manifestations, with all previously reported cases having positive MRI findings, unlike our case.

Long-Term Use of Muscle Relaxant Medications for Chronic Pain

Stricter opioid prescribing guidelines have increased prescriptions of skeletal muscle relaxants (SMRs) for chronic pain, but the efficacy of long-term use of SMRs for chronic pain is unknown. To systematically review the effectiveness or efficacy of long-term use of SMRs for chronic pain. Two reviewers systematically searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase (Ovid), Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane through December 4, 2023. They included articles published in English, Spanish, or Italian. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and cohort studies with comparator groups evaluating at least 1-month duration of SMRs for chronic pain were included. The reviewers dually reviewed data abstraction, risk-of-bias, and quality. They characterized studies by chronic pain syndrome: low back pain, fibromyalgia, headaches, painful cramps or spasticity, and other syndromes. A total of 30 RCTs with 1314 participants and 14 cohort studies with 1168 participants assessed SMRs for chronic pain. Studies were primarily short-term (4-6 weeks). Nine unique SMRs were represented by the studies identified. Eleven studies (25%) examined baclofen, 8 (18%) examined tizanidine, and 7 (16%) examined cyclobenzaprine. Evidence for effectiveness was strongest for SMRs used for trigeminal neuralgia, neck pain, and painful cramps; evidence suggested SMRs for fibromyalgia, low back pain, and other syndromes were not more beneficial than placebo. The most common adverse effects were sedation and dry mouth. RCTs had a low to moderate risk of bias, and the quality of cohort studies was fair to good. In this systematic review of long-term use of SMRs for chronic pain, findings suggest that their long-term use may benefit patients with painful spasms or cramps and neck pain; their long-term use for low back pain, fibromyalgia, and headaches did not appear to be beneficial. Clinicians should be vigilant for adverse effects and consider deprescribing if pain-related goals are not met.

Stiff-person syndrome and related disorders - diagnosis, mechanisms and therapies.

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is the prototypical and most common autoimmune neuronal hyperexcitability disorder. It presents with stiffness in the limbs and axial muscles, stiff gait with uncontrolled falls, and episodic painful muscle spasms triggered by anxiety, task-specific phobias and startle responses, collectively leading to disability. Increased awareness of SPS among patients and physicians has created concerns about diagnosis, misdiagnosis and treatment. This Review addresses the evolving diagnostic challenges in SPS and overlapping glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibody spectrum disorders, highlighting the growing number of overdiagnosesand focusing on the progress made in our understanding of SPS pathophysiology, antibodies against GAD and other inhibitory synaptic antigens, and the fundamentals of neuronal hyperexcitability. It considers the role of impaired GABAergic or glycinergic inhibition in the cortex and at multiple levels in the neuraxis; the underlying autoimmunity and involvement of GAD antibodies; immunopathogenic mechanisms beyond antibodies, including environmental triggers; familial and immunogenetic susceptibility; and potential T cell cytotoxicity. Finally, the mechanistic rationale for target-specific therapeutic interventions is presented along with the available therapeutic approaches, including enhancers of GABA signalling drugs and immunotherapies.

Aetiology, pathogenetic factors and prevalence of anal fissure in the Republic of Tajikistan

Aim. To study the aetiology, pathogenetic factors and prevalence of anal fissure in the Republic of Tajikistan.Materials and methods. Approximately 600 patients with anal fissure are treated annually in specialized coloproctology centres of the Republic. During 2018-2022, 3,065 patients were admitted with this pathology. All patients underwent perianal examination. Anal and rectal reflexes were measured, digital rectal examination, sphincterometry, manometry and sigmoidoscopy were performed.Results and discussion. The main factor in the pathogenesis is the formation of the so-called vicious cycle, in which the pain factor and spasm of the anal sphincter play an important role, as well as the formation of a caruncle, which was observed in 83% and 82% of the cases, respectively. Pectinosis of the anal sphincter occurred in 8% and thickening of the anal fissure margins in 115 cases.Conclusions. Anal fissure is a polyetiological disease and an important factor in its development is mechanical damage of the posterior wall due to chronic persistent constipation. In the pathogenesis of anal fissure there is a vicious circle in which pain factor and spasm of anal sphincter play an important role.

Machine learning characterization of a rare neurologic disease via electronic health records: a proof-of-principle study on stiff person syndrome

BackgroundDespite the frequent diagnostic delays of rare neurologic diseases (RND), it remains difficult to study RNDs and their comorbidities due to their rarity and hence the statistical underpowering. Affecting one to two in a million annually, stiff person syndrome (SPS) is an RND characterized by painful muscle spasms and rigidity. Leveraging underutilized electronic health records (EHR), this study showcased a machine-learning-based framework to identify clinical features that optimally characterize the diagnosis of SPS.MethodsA machine-learning-based feature selection approach was employed on 319 items from the past medical histories of 48 individuals (23 with a diagnosis of SPS and 25 controls) with elevated serum autoantibodies against glutamic-acid-decarboxylase-65 (anti-GAD65) in Dartmouth Health’s EHR to determine features with the highest discriminatory power. Each iteration of the algorithm implemented a Support Vector Machine (SVM) model, generating importance scores—SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) values—for each feature and removing one with the least salient. Evaluation metrics were calculated through repeated stratified cross-validation.ResultsDepression, hypothyroidism, GERD, and joint pain were the most characteristic features of SPS. Utilizing these features, the SVM model attained precision of 0.817 (95% CI 0.795–0.840), sensitivity of 0.766 (95% CI 0.743–0.790), F-score of 0.761 (95% CI 0.744–0.778), AUC of 0.808 (95% CI 0.791–0.825), and accuracy of 0.775 (95% CI 0.759–0.790).ConclusionsThis framework discerned features that, with further research, may help fully characterize the pathologic mechanism of SPS: depression, hypothyroidism, and GERD may respectively represent comorbidities through common inflammatory, genetic, and dysautonomic links. This methodology could address diagnostic challenges in neurology by uncovering latent associations and generating hypotheses for RNDs.

Stiff-Person Syndrome: Results of the First Nationwide Survey in Japan

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder characterized by progressive axial muscle stiffness, central nervous system hyperexcitability, and painful stimulus-sensitive muscle spasms. A nationwide survey performed in 2018 showed the estimated prevalence of SPS was 0.2 per 100,000 population. Most patients with SPS had antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase 65, followed by antibodies to the glycine receptor α-subunit. Usually, patients with SPS showed favorable outcomes; however, some studies have reported intractable SPS. Early diagnosis and aggressive immunotherapy are necessary for management of patients with SPS.

Insights Into the Patient Experience of Hormone Therapy for Early Breast Cancer Treatment Using Patient Forum Discussions and Natural Language Processing.

Understanding the real-world experience of patients with early breast cancer (eBC) is imperative for optimizing outcomes and evolving patient care. However, there is a lack of patient-level data, hindering clinical development. This social listening study was performed to understand patient insights into symptoms and impacts of hormone therapy (HT) for eBC using posts from patient forums on breastcancer.org to inform future clinical research. Natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning techniques were used to identify themes related to eBC from a sample of 500,000 posts. After relevant data selection, 362,074 eBC posts were retained for further analysis of symptoms and impacts related to HT, as well as insights into symptom severity, pain locations, and symptom management using exercise and yoga. Overall, 32 symptoms and nine impacts had significant associations with ≥one HT. Hot flush (relative risk [RR], 6.70 [95% CI, 3.36 to 13.36]), arthralgia (RR, 6.67 [95% CI, 3.53 to 12.59]), weight increased (RR, 4.83 [95% CI, 3.20 to 7.28]), mood swings (RR, 7.36 [95% CI, 5.75 to 9.42]), insomnia (RR, 4.76 [95% CI, 3.14 to 7.22]), and depression (RR, 3.05 [95% CI, 1.71 to 5.44]) demonstrated the strongest associations. Severe headache, dizziness, back pain, and muscle spasms showed significant associations with ≥one HT despite their low overall prevalence in eBC posts. The social listening approach allowed the identification of real-world insights from posts specific to eBC HT from a large-scale online breast cancer forum that captured experiences from a uniquely diverse group of patients. Using NLP has a potential to scale analysis of patient feedback and reveal actionable insights into patient experiences of treatment that can inform the development of future therapies and improve the care of patients with eBC.

Comparing the incidence of postoperative painful bladder spasm between malecot catheter and 3-way Foley catheter: a clinical trial.

In this study, the effect of Pezzer (as a Pezzer catheter) and three-way Foley catheters, used for suprapubic catheterization after open prostatectomy, was investigated in terms of early incidence of painful bladder spasms. In this single-blind clinical trial study, 160 patients diagnosed with LUTS/BPH were placed in two groups of 80 Pezzer catheter (Pezzer(size 28)) and three-way Foley catheters (size 24) for suprapubic catheterization. The evaluated variables in this study are age, prostate weight, narcotics dose, Spasm frequency, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), visual analogue scale (VAS), catheterization period. The frequency of spasm in Foley group was significantly lower (4.4±7.26 vs. 6.28±4.4; P value=0.000). There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the frequency of dysuria (P value=0.3). The findings of our study showed that despite slightly favourable results in using suprapubic Foley catheter compared to Pezzer catheters in patients with open prostatectomy in terms of pain and spasm frequency, there was no significant difference between the use of these two types of catheters.

Stiff Person Syndrome and GAD Antibody-Spectrum Disorders.

Antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), originally associated with stiff person syndrome (SPS), define the GAD antibody-spectrum disorders that also include cerebellar ataxia, autoimmune epilepsy, limbic encephalitis, progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus (PERM), and eye movement disorders, all of which are characterized by autoimmune neuronal excitability. This article elaborates on the diagnostic criteria for SPS and SPS spectrum disorders, highlights disease mimics and misdiagnoses, describes the electrophysiologic mechanisms and underlying autoimmunity of stiffness and spasms, and provides a step-by-step therapeutic scheme. Very-high serum GAD antibody titers are diagnostic for GAD antibody-spectrum disorders and also predict the presence of GAD antibodies in the CSF, increased intrathecal synthesis, and reduced CSF γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels. Low serum GAD antibody titers or the absence of antibodies generates diagnostic challenges that require careful distinction in patients with a variety of painful spasms and stiffness, including functional neurologic disorders. Antibodies against glycine receptors, first found in patients with PERM, are seen in 13% to 15% of patients with SPS, whereas amphiphysin and gephyrin antibodies, seen in 5% of patients with SPS spectrum disorders, predict a paraneoplastic association. GAD-IgG from different SPS spectrum disorders recognizes the same dominant GAD intracellular epitope and, although the pathogenicity is unclear, is an excellent diagnostic marker. The biological basis of muscle stiffness and spasms is related to autoimmune neuronal hyperexcitability caused by impaired reciprocal γ-aminobutyric acid-mediated (GABA-ergic) inhibition, which explains the therapeutic response to GABA-enhancing agents and immunotherapies. It is essential to distinguish SPS spectrum disorders from disease mimics to avoid both overdiagnoses and misdiagnoses, considering that SPS is treatable if managed correctly from the outset to prevent disease progression. A step-by-step, combination therapy of GABA-enhancing medications along with immunotherapies ensures prolonged clinical benefits.

ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIBIOFILM ACTIVITIES OF VARIOUS VEGETABLE OILS AGAINST HELICOBACTER PYLORI

Objective: Vegetable oils have various biologically active components, including antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. These oils help control nausea, vomiting, coughing and gas, as well as diarrhea and dyspepsia. It also helps to reduce stomach bloating and intestinal spasm pain. To sum up, the objective of this investigation was to assess the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of twelve different vegetable oils against the reference strain of Helicobacter pylori, NTCC 11637. Material and Method: For antibacterial activity, the minimum inhibitory concentration and the agar-well diffusion method were employed, and for antibiofilm activity, the microplate method. Result and Discussion: Vegetable oils showed antimicrobial activity at concentrations of 62.5-15.625 μg/ml and antibiofilm activity at concentrations of 250-15.625 μg/ml. According to our findings, the vegetable oils we utilized may have the ability to form a novel class of Helicobacter pylori inhibitors with anti-H. pylori properties.

Expanding the Understanding of Stiff-Person Syndrome: Insights from 17 Cases in India.

Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) is a rare and complex neurologic disorder characterized by progressive muscle stiffness, painful spasms, and gait difficulties. In this report, we describe a case of SPS who presented with a relapse while on maintenance immunosuppressive treatment. In addition, we review the literature of 16 previously reported cases of SPS from India, highlighting the diverse clinical features, comorbidities, treatment response, and relapse. The occurrence of paraneoplastic SPS emphasizes the need for early recognition and diagnosis.

Clinical characteristics of tension headache in occlusive disorders

Relevance. Common physiological human suffering is headache. The prevalence of headache ranks third after back pain and joint pain in the structure of muscle-fascial pain syndromes. However, headaches and facial pains associated with muscle-fascial trigger points are much more common than headaches and facial pains caused by other causes. An extremely irritated area of skeletal muscle associated with an oversensitive palpable node located in a compacted bundle is the muscle–fascial trigger points. In the pathogenesis of headaches, a major role belongs to dysfunction or disease of the temporomandibular joint, age-related changes in the masticatory muscles, jaws and teeth and all elements of the TMJ occuring during a person’s life. In some cases, minor changes in the occlusion of teeth and jaws, as well as a stressful situation, lead to a painful spasm of the masticatory muscles. Goal. To analyze the clinical characteristics of tension headache in patients with occlusive disorders (OD) and physiological occlusion (PO). Material and methods. The study covered 210 patients with occlusion disorders and 92 patients with the signs of physiological occlusion. 141 patients from the first group and 32 patients from the second group complained of a headache. Occlusal relationships of teeth were analyzed in the position of central and dynamic occlusion. The destruction of the hard tissues of the teeth and partial adentia, as well as anomalies and deformities of the dentition were determined as the disorder of occlusion. The study of the muscles of the maxillofacial region and neck was carried out using the techniques described in the book by Travell J.G., Simons D.G. (2005). A visual-analogue pain assessment scale and a Russified McGill’s questionnaire on the nature of pain were used to identify the nature of the pain syndrome, the severity of pain. The assessment was carried out at a consultative appointment, the localization, nature, duration and intensity of pain, as well as the specificities of the pain syndrome being taken into account. When examining muscles, to quantify the data obtained the muscle syndrome index (IMS) was evaluated. The analysis of the research results was carried out using nonparametric criteria. Results. According to the severity of the pain syndrome, the use of a visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain allowed us to divide all patients into 3 groups: with mild pain, with moderate and with severe pain. According to the international classification of headaches, episodic and chronic headaches were distinguished. In patients with OD, the headache becomes chronic more often and is felt more intense than in patients with PO. Among the patients complaining of a headache, in patients with OD the IMS is higher than the IMS of the muscles of the masticatory complex, and in patients with PO the IMS is higher than the IMS of the neck muscles. Conclusions. Female patients with OD and PO suffer from tension headache more often than male patients. In patients with OD, musculo-fascial headaches are twice as common, have a more pronounced character and become chronic more often than in patients with PO. The severity of the IMS of the masticatory muscles in patients with OD is 2.5 times higher than in patients with PO.

(099) HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH FOR BOTOX(R) & HOW MUCH BOTOX(R) IS ENOUGH? A REVIEW OF BOTULINUM TOXIN INJECTIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF HYPERTONIC PELVIC FLOOR

Abstract Introduction Botulinum toxin (BT) is a useful adjunct in the treatment of hypertonic pelvic floor muscles. By blocking the release of acetylcholine, a necessary neurotransmitter for muscle contraction, it facilitates muscle relaxation. These paralytic effects effectively disrupt painful muscle spasms and help patients make further progress in physical therapy when otherwise hindered by painful muscle spasms. Despite having robust data to support the off-label use of BT for the treatment of myofascial pain, there is limited data about its use for the treatment of pelvic floor myofascial pain. Additionally, there is no data about insurance reimbursement or the financial costs to patients undergoing pelvic floor muscle treatment with BT injections. Objective 1. Determine how many injections of BT patients receive for the treatment of hypertonic pelvic floor 2. Determine insurance reimbursement and financial costs to patients undergoing pelvic floor muscle treatment with BT injections. Methods Data was first collected by building a report in Epic to identify all patients seen in our department between 1/1/2022 to 10/31/2023 for a BT-related visit. Patient were further stratified based on CPT code 96372, indicating that they received pelvic floor BT injections. Fifty-one patients were identified. Charts were reviewed to determine how frequently patients returned for BT administration & to determine how much patients had to pay for BT treatment after filing with insurance. Results A total of 51 patients received pelvic floor muscle BT injections over the course of 61 patient encounters. Forty-three patients (84%) received BT once, 6 patients (12%) received BT twice, and 2 patients (4%) received BT 3 times. Of the 8 patients who required additional BT treatment, the average time between subsequent BT injections was 83 days. At our institution, the absolute charge for 100 units of BT was $1,068.16 without insurance. All patients treated had active insurance, and all 61 patient encounters were billed through insurance. At the time of this review, 20 patients encounters (33%) were still pending review with insurance, 41 patient encounters (67%) had been reviewed. Of these 41 patient encounters, 30 (73%) were accepted through insurance; 11 (27%) were denied. Nineteen administrations of BT were completely covered by insurance (no self-pay); 11 administrations of BT were partially covered through insurance. For patients that received partial or total coverage through their insurance company, the average self-pay cost for 100 units of BT was $66.77. Conclusions Most patients required one visit for pelvic floor muscle treatments with BT, and only occasionally required more than one visit. Prospective studies are needed to quantify and quality patient’s improvement in pain following each BT treatment. In the majority of cases, when BT was filed through insurance, it was at least partially approved. Without insurance, the charge for 100 units of BT was $1,068; when approved through insurance, the average self-pay cost for 100 units of BT was $66.77. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Patty Brisben Foundation.

(135) DYSORGASMIA IN A FEMALE PATIENT FOLLOWING TRAM RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

Abstract Introduction Many women struggle with sexual dysfunction, either in desire, arousal, orgasm, and/or pain. Despite the incidence of dysorgasmia in the general population, there is a paucity of literature focusing on its causes and treatment, especially when attributed to medical conditions and surgery. Objective This case report describes an unusual presentation of post-orgasmic pain following breast reconstruction surgery using abdominal tissue. Methods A 73-year old woman presented with chronic orgasmic pain in the deep pelvic area following transverse rectus abdominal muscle (TRAM) flap reconstruction for a mastectomy in the setting of breast cancer treatment. The patient was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma breast cancer in 2011, where she received a lumpectomy with radiation. After 2 years, in 2013, she was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy with no complications, with a transverse rectus abdominal muscle flap reconstruction surgery conducted five days later. Following the TRAM reconstruction, the patient consistently began to observe pain with orgasm. Results Prior to this surgery, the patient had experienced normal sexual intercourse and orgasm throughout her life. The patient describes pain with orgasm associated with self-stimulation, manual stimulation, oral stimulation, and vaginal penetration. The patient describes the pain associated with orgasm as a “deep, dull pain” causing nausea and is often associated with abdominal spasms. The pain lasts 2-3 minutes following orgasm and is rated as a 5-6/10 on the pain scale. The pain is not associated with urinary incontinence, urinary fullness, or bowel dysfunction. Physical exam revealed a tense abdominal wall consistent with TRAM reconstruction, well healed incisions, a normal clitoris in terms of appearance and sensation and normal pelvic floor muscles. Conclusions An orgasm is a complex process which involves interplays between the clitoris, the glans pubis, and the sympathetic activation system. A four-phase model for orgasm has been explored, which separates the orgasm response into: desire (the urge to participate in sexual activities), arousal (increased genital blood flow and clitorial erection), orgasm (after the threshold for stimulation has been reached), and resolution. Dysorgasmia can be multifactorial, and while still unclear, etiologies include pelvic floor dysfunction and/or spasm. While the pathophysiology of how the pelvic floor is connected to orgasm is not exactly understood, it is theorized to be due to dysregulated coordination of pelvic floor muscles. A transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flap is a common breast reconstructive procedure following mastectomy. The most common complications of a TRAM flap surgery are hernias/abdominal bulges, fat necrosis, and loco-regional occurance. Interestingly, TRAM surgeries have previously been associated with pelvic floor dysfunction in women due to an increase in abdominal pressure. Since the pelvic floor is tightly connected to the mechanism of an orgasm, it is possible that disruptions to the pelvic floor may lead to painful spasms during orgasms. This is also consistent with the patient’s sensation of abdominal “spasms” during/after orgasm. While not all TRAM surgeries cause dysorgasmia, this patient’s dysorgasmia may be postulated to be secondary to pelvic floor dysfunction. Disclosure No.

Agnikarma with Tapta Guda in the pain management of Computer Elbow: A case study.

Computer elbow, known medically as lateral epicondylitis, is very common condition found in workers associated with long-term use of computers. It represents pain and tenderness on the lateral side of the elbow due to repetitive stress, which results in inflammation of the common extensor tendon of the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. In conventional system, medications such as corticosteroids, NSAIDs, etc. are used in the management of computer elbow. According to Ayurveda, computer elbow can be correlated with snayugata vikara and it can be treated with agnikarma, and it is believed that diseases treated with agnikarma never reoccur. Based on the specific heat retention and transmission capacity, Sushruta prescribed different materials for agnikarma on snayu, sandhi, asthi are kshaudra, guda, etc. More penetrating capacity is possessed by agnikarma with snigdha dravyas than rooksha dravyas like shalaka. So, tapta-guda is taken in the present study to assess the effect of agnikarma on computer elbow. Here, the patient was treated with agnikarma using tapta-guda over the most painful and tender points. Assessments were done before treatment, after treatment, 3rd day, 5th day. The result showed agnikarma with tapta-guda was effective in treating computer elbow. The mechanism of action of agnikarma is still unknown. But its action seems to be more effective in providing instant pain relief. The therapeutic effects of agnikarma with tapta-guda include relief of pain and muscle spasm, acceleration of healing, resolution of inflammation and increase in the range of movement of joint.

Beyond the Bony Fragment: A Review of Limbus Vertebra.

Vertebral limbus is a condition characterized by the intraspongious herniation of a portion of the nucleus pulposus. It is often asymptomatic, but it can sometimes cause nonspecific symptoms such as local pain and muscle spasm, or, in rare cases, radiculopathies, which is why it can be confused with vertebral fractures, spondyloarthropathies, infectious or tumoral processes. Early recognition of this pathology is preferable for a correct diagnosis and adequate treatment, the latter ranging from conservative approaches (such as personalized exercise programs and physical therapy) to surgical interventions reserved for severe cases with nerve compression.

Botulinum Toxin-A Infiltration to Control Post-Operative Pain after Mastectomy and Expander Reconstruction as Potentially Useful Tool: A Narrative Review.

Botulinum toxin-A (BTX-A), a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum, was assessed for relieving implant-related pectoralis major muscle's painful spasms. In detail, 100 units of BTX-A can reduce muscle activity and, as a consequence, muscle spasms. The latter is considered the leading cause of post-operative pain after the sub-pectoral tissue expansion, sometimes leading to early expanders' removal. In addition, women choosing post-mastectomy reconstruction surgery seem to suffer worse post-operative pain than those who stop at the mastectomy stage. However, there is no unanimous consensus concerning the potential benefits of BTX-A in reducing pain related to the sub-pectoral placement of tissue expanders in breast reconstruction due to the exiguity of evidence. Therefore, this review aims to describe BTX-A-related evidence in this reconstruction setting. NO LEVEL ASSIGNED: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .