Biomedical subjects

L Saberski

Publications and source records attributed to L Saberski.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Sphenopalatine ganglion block for treatment of sinus arrest in postherpetic neuralgia.

A 64-year-old woman presented with bradycardia from sinus pauses during exacerbations of postherpetic trigeminal distribution neuralgia. She had underlying systemic lupus erythematosus. Sphenopalatine ganglion blockade was employed to treat her pain. The episodes of bradycardia resolved with successful alleviation of pain. This report emphasizes that a sphenopalatine ganglion blockade can be employed in the treatment and prevention of sinus arrest associated with postherpetic trigeminal distribution neuralgia.

Autonomic Nerve Block↗

PubMed1997

Assessment of diurnal variation of cerebrospinal fluid tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in healthy human females.

The role of serotonin (5-HT) in the pathogenesis and treatment of major neuropsychiatric disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders, continues to be the subject of extensive research. Previous studies examining central 5-HT functioning measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) by using single or multiple lumbar punctures. A number of investigators have demonstrated the feasibility of continuous CSF sampling via an indwelling lumbar catheter to study CSF neurochemistry in healthy subjects and patients with neuropsychiatric illness. Four healthy female volunteers, aged 21-34 years, underwent continuous CSF sampling. CSF was collected at a constant rate of 1 ml every 10 minutes over a 30-hour period, with levels of tryptophan (TRP) and 5-HIAA measured every hour. Plasma was also obtained hourly for TRP determination. The results of this study indicate that CSF 5-HIAA, CSF TRP, and plasma TRP levels showed variation over time, but failed to show diurnal fluctuation. Intra-individual coefficients of variation determined for CSF 5-HIAA, CSF TRP, and plasma TRP ranged from 9.2 to 14.9%, 8.8 to 14.6%, and 14.7 to 19.0%, respectively. Continuous CSF sampling is safe and feasible in humans, and may prove useful for studies of central 5-HT neurotransmission in neuropsychiatric illness.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Complex regional pain syndrome type I (RSD) or peripheral mononeuropathy? A discussion of three cases.

OBJECTIVE: Peripheral nerve pathology commonly results in symptoms that suggest a diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I (RSD). We briefly review common symptoms of peripheral nerve pathology (referred pain, hyperpathia, and autonomic changes) and present three illustrative cases of peripheral nerve injury misdiagnosed and treated as RSD. The nonspecificity of current taxonomy regarding CRPS as it relates to the three cases is emphasized. DESIGN: The study is case series. SETTING: All three of the cases were diagnosed and treated for their painful symptoms at a university hospital clinic that provides multispecialty evaluations for painful conditions. PATIENTS: The three patients all had work-related injuries resulting in pain, hyperpathia, and autonomic changes in one of their upper extremities. Their injuries were representative of common peripheral nerve lesions, one being a neuroma, one an irritative lesion, and one an entrapment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The clinical entity of CRPS quite apparently encompasses symptomatology caused by peripheral nerve entrapment, irritative lesions, and neuroma. As such, its use as a diagnostic end point may overlook these treatable conditions. As illustrated in these cases, peripheral nerve pathology may prove a diagnostic challenge and alternative techniques of investigation other than electrophysiologic studies are often helpful.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Oral capsaicin provides temporary relief for oral mucositis pain secondary to chemotherapy/radiation therapy.

Pain from oral mucositis afflicts from 40% to 70% of patients receiving chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Current methods of clinical pain management (for example, topical anesthetics, systemic analgesics) have limited success. In a pilot study, we examined the ability of oral capsaicin to provide temporary relief of oral mucositis pain. Capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, desensitizes some neurons and has provided moderate pain relief when applied to the skin surface. Oral capsaicin in a candy (taffy) vehicle produced substantial pain reduction in 11 patients with oral mucositis pain from cancer therapy. However, this pain relief was not complete for most patients and was only temporary. Additional research is needed to fully utilize the properties of capsaicin desensitization and thus optimize analgesia.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1992