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Effects of deep brain stimulation in a patient with chronic refractory pain: a case report
Sara Ranji, Mojtaba Shahbazi , Mahdi Shafiee Sabet , Abbas Tafakhori,
Volume 81, Issue 4 (7-2023)
Abstract
Background: Stroke is one of the most important causes of chronic pain. In patients with chronic pain medical therapy with analgesic drugs, anti-epileptic drugs, and serotonin receptor modulators is the first choice. However, for patients who are refractory to the usual medical treatments, different strategies have been proposed to treat these pains. One of these treatments involves the implantation of deep brain electrodes and deep brain stimulation in the thalamus nucleouses. In this article we are reviewing the first case done in Iran.
Case Presentation: A 51-year-old male presented with sudden-onset left side hemiparesis and impaired sensation on the left side of the body, eight years ago. He complained of gradually developing pain on the left side of the body, adding to his symptoms. In his examination, he had dysarthria and his left extremities were spastic and their forces were decreased. Despite numerous medical treatments with gabapentin, pregabalin, duloxetine, carbamazepine and the replacement of an intrathecal baclofen pump during the last few years, he didn't respond very well. This goes so far as to induce severe depression symptoms, which disturbed his daily routine and even induced suicidal ideas. Due to the debilitating symptoms which were resistant to medical treatment, the patient underwent deep brain electrode implantation and deep brain stimulation in the ventral posterior lateral/posterior medial nucleuses in April 2023 at Imam Khomeini Hospital. No remarkable adverse effects were observed after implantation. In the patient’s follow-up, he had a significant improvement in pain and some other symptoms.
Conclusion: Deep brain stimulation of the thalamus nucleus is a known treatment in patients with Parkinson's disease and dystonia. However, for patients with chronic refractory pain, deep brain stimulation is a controversial therapy and has been introduced recently as an effective alternative treatment. In our patient, who suffers from severe unilateral refractory pain after stroke, a deep brain electrode was implanted and after deep brain stimulation significant improvement in pain was seen.

Comparison of 2% dexmedetomidine and lidocaine in analgesia control and hemodynamic changes in cataract surgery with local anesthesia
Reza Sahraei, Ahmad Bostani , Mousa Zare, Navid Kalani, Fatemeh Eftekharian,
Volume 82, Issue 3 (6-2024)
Abstract
Background: Cataract surgery is the most common surgery in the world. The prevalence of age-related cataract increases with age, and its prevalence increases with each decade of age after forty years. Various drugs are used to control analgesia and hemodynamics in patients undergoing cataract surgery. The purpose of this study is to compare dexmedetomidine and 2% lidocaine in the control of analgesia and hemodynamic changes in cataract surgery with local anesthesia.
Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial study, 52 patients with anesthesia class I and II underwent cataract surgery. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: lidocaine (three cc) and dexmedomedin (five μg/kg + lidocaine). The information collection checklist in this study included: age, gender, history of aspirin use, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, intraocular pressure, postoperative complications, and postoperative pain.
Results:  The Mann-Whitney U test showed that the Dex-Metomedin group had less pain than the Lidocaine group in the first hour after the intervention (P=0.012). Two hours after the intervention, the dexmedemodin group had less pain than the lidocaine group (P=0.001). In the investigation of IOP after retrobulbar block in the dexmedetomidine group, we saw a significant increase in IOP from 16.56±3.12 to 17.96±2.68 mmHg compared to before the block (P=0.001). In the lidocaine group, we also saw a significant increase in IOP from 16.18±3.66 to 19.66±4.67 mm Hg compared to before the block (P=0.001). Before and after retrobulbar block, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.694 and P=0.108, respectively). To investigate the effect of these interventions more precisely, the amount of IOP pressure change was also compared between the two groups, and we saw a greater increase in the lidocaine group than in the dexmedetomidine group (P=0.002).
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that dexmedetomidine + lidocaine in retrobulbar form compared to lidocaine was able to control the pain level of patients after surgery and systolic and diastolic blood pressure during surgery. It is suggested to use this drug as local anesthesia in cataract surgery.

Assessment of studies on the use of platelet-rich plasma in shoulder tendinopathy: a review article
Nima Bagheri, Mahdieh Ghiasi, Khalil Pestehei,
Volume 82, Issue 4 (7-2024)
Abstract
Tendon ruptures may occur as a result of acute injuries or degenerative changes in the tendons caused by aging, excessive and long-term use of the shoulders, and sudden wear and tear. This tear may be partial or completely separate the tendon from its attachment to the bone. Rotator cuff tendinopathy of the shoulder is one of the common causes in patients that affect the daily performance and quality of life. Tendinopathy problems are one of the most common problems of people who refer to medical centers, and in some people, improvement is very important because of their job position. Platelet-rich plasma has received attention due to having growth factors involved in tissue repair in tendinopathy patients. This review study examined the clinical effect of platelet-rich plasma injection in rotator cuff tendinopathy, as well as other studies comparing it with corticosteroids. A literature search was conducted in various scientific databases to obtain articles up to 2022 examining the clinical effects of PRP injection on tendinopathy. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is one of the products derived from blood that contains a greater number of physiological platelets. PRP contains a large amount of growth factors such as TGF-β, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), which play an important role in cell proliferation, cell differentiation, chemotaxis and angiogenesis. These growth factors are significantly upregulated following tendon injury and are active at different stages of the healing process. Platelet-rich plasma is an autologous source of growth factors and has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of tendinopathy and osteoarthritis. PRP injection can be recommended as a suitable and desirable method in tendinopathy and rotator cuff tear patients, especially in adults, and can be substituted for corticosteroids. PRP is a minimally invasive treatment method that is used to treat muscle diseases and tendon injuries. In this method, blood is taken from the person, and after that, the components of the blood are separated during a process, and the platelet-enriched plasma is re-injected into the muscles and tendons of the shoulder.

The relationship between chronic pains and risk factors for cardiovascular disease in diabetic elderly people
Fatemeh Rasouli Amiri , Khadijeh Ezoji, Seyed Reza Hosseini, Ali Bijani , Kayvan Latifi ,
Volume 82, Issue 8 (11-2024)
Abstract
Background: People with chronic pain have a shorter life expectancy than the general population, in part as a result of excess mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between chronic pain and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases.
Methods: In this study, 400 elderly diabetic patients in phase one of the Amirkola Elderly Cohort Study (AHAP), which was conducted between April 2011 to March 2016, were divided into two groups of 200 people, with chronic pain and without chronic pain. Then, the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases that are available in this plan such as physical activity level, body mass index, blood sugar levels, blood lipid profile status, Hypertension and smoking were examined.
Results: In the study of baseline variables in the elderly with and without pain with diabetes, it was found that women reported more pain with 54.4% than men with 45.6% that there is a significant difference between the two sexes (P=0.0001). Education level was also associated with having pain so that 67.8% of the elderly with having pain were illiterate and this relationship was significant (P=0.006). 82.5% of the elderly with higher physical activity had less pain than the elderly with less physical activity. This indicates the effect of physical activity in reducing pain and the observed relationship was significant (P=0.001). Triglyceride levels and history of underlying disease were lower in painless elderly (P=0.009 and P=0.002). Physical activity in the elderly without pain was higher than the elderly who had pain and this significant difference was reported (P=0.002).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate a high prevalence of chronic pain in the elderly in Amirkola. In the elderly without chronic pain, there were lower triglyceride levels, more physical activity and fewer underlying diseases. Attention to chronic pain features among elderly to identify vulnerable groups and providing better care can increase the quality of life in this group.
 

During the first two weeks following shoulder labral repair between patients receiving interscalene block alone and those receiving interscalene block plus intravenous morphine
Seyed Mohammad Reza Hadavi , Maryam Zahedi, Navid Kalani, Naeimeh Ossadat Asmarian , Reza Sahraei ,
Volume 82, Issue 9 (12-2024)
Abstract
Background: Shoulder labral repair surgery is associated with significant postoperative pain and restricted mobility. Inadequate pain management may lead to delayed rehabilitation, increased risk of chronic pain development, and higher opioid consumption. This study aimed to compare postoperative pain intensity during the first two weeks following shoulder labral repair between patients receiving interscalene block alone versus those receiving interscalene block combined with intravenous morphine.
Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group clinical trial, 120 patients undergoing open rotator cuff repair at Chamran Hospital, Shiraz (June-December 2024) were allocated using balanced block randomization. Group 1 received preoperative interscalene block with 30 mL of 0.5% ropivacaine, while Group 2 received the same block plus intravenous morphine (1% mg/kg). Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics such as mean and percentage and appropriate statistical tests such as Repeated measurement and Anova using SPSS software, version 21 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The significance level was considered to be (P<0.05).
Results: Demographic characteristics (age, sex, weight, ASA class) showed no significant intergroup differences (p>0.05). Pain scores were significantly lower at all time points in the combination therapy group compared to the block-only group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the combination of interscalene block with morphine was significantly more effective in reducing pain after rotator cuff surgery than interscalene block alone. This finding suggests that the use of morphine as an additional analgesic can enhance the analgesic effects of interscalene block and provide better pain relief. The combination of these two methods may cause a positive interaction in pain relief and reduce the need for other medications, which consequently prevents the side effects caused by additional analgesic drugs, and patients who receive the combination of these two treatment methods experience greater comfort and better functional improvement. However, it is recommended that further studies focusing on the precise dosage and timing of drug combinations be conducted to obtain more precise results regarding the optimization of pain management after rotator cuff surgery. Also, examining the long-term effects of this treatment method could help to better understand its advantages and disadvantages.

Ultrasound-Guided botulinum toxin A vs. corticosteroid Injection in patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy
Naseh Yousefi, Katayoun Moradi, Korosh Mansouri , Simin Sajadi , Masoud Torabi ,
Volume 82, Issue 12 (3-2025)
Abstract
Background: The most common cause of Shoulder pain is inflammation in the subacromial bursa. Intra-bursal corticosteroid injections are one of the most common methods in cases of bursitis. Recently, botulinum toxin A injection has also been used as a safe treatment in these patients. This injection does not have many of corticosteroid disadvantages. The most important disadvantages of this method are its cost. This study was performed to compare corticosteroids with botulinum toxin A in the treatment of subacromial bursitis by single injection.
Methods: This study is a prospective randomized clinical trial performed on patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy who were referred to the physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic of Iran University of Medical Sciences from November 2020 to October 2021. 54 patients with signs and symptoms of rotator cuff tendinopathy, were randomly assigned to one of the two groups of botulinum toxin A or corticosteroid injection. Routine treatment included exercise training for all patients. Patient's symptoms were assessed using VAS, Constant Score and SPADI criteria before treatment, two weeks and two months after injection.
Results: In the VAS study, both groups showed an improvement over baseline (P=0.000), which was significantly greater in the corticosteroid group. VAS between the first and second follow-up showed a decrease in the botulinum toxin A group and an increase in the corticosteroid group. In the Constant Score and SPADI study, both groups showed an improvement over baseline.
Conclusion: This study showed that a single-session injection of botulinum toxin A is less effective than corticosteroid in controlling symptoms of these patients. However, the therapeutic effect of botulinum toxin A, remains 2 months and unlike corticosteroid, has more reliability and durability.

The effect of dry needle on tissue repair of ligament injury in the acute stage of ankle sprain
Morteza Talebi Doluee , Mohsen Ramzanzadeh, Majid Shahbazi, Mahdi Foroughian,
Volume 83, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Background: Ankle sprain is one of the most common sports injuries and accounts for 10 to 30 percent of sports injuries, especially in athletes. This injury can lead to pain, imbalance, and movement restriction, and therefore has a significant impact on athletes' performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dry needling on tissue repair of ligamentous injury in the acute phase of ankle sprain.
Methods: This double-blind clinical trial study was conducted on 52 patients with ankle sprains at Imam Reza Hospital in 2023. Patients were divided into two groups: control and intervention. The control group received conventional treatment including medication and splints, while the intervention group received dry needling in addition to conventional treatments. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 21 software and descriptive statistics and inferential statistical tests at a significance level of P<0.05.
Results: The results showed that the intervention group showed significant improvement in pain (P=0.002), activities of daily living (P<0.001), sports activities (P<0.001), plantar flexion (P=0.027), dorsiflexion (P=0.003), inversion (P=0.012), and edema (P=0.005) compared to the control group. However, there was no significant difference in symptom severity (P=0.752) and quality of life (P=0.348) between the two groups. Overall patient change analysis showed that most patients in the intervention group improved, while only 7.7% in the control group improved.
Conclusion:  A combination of splinting, medication, and dry needling can be effective in improving pain, daily activities, exercise and recreation, range of motion, and edema in patients with ankle sprains. These findings can provide a basis for implementing new treatment protocols for the management of ankle sprains in athletes and other injured patients. It is recommended that further studies be conducted on the long-term effects of dry needling and other therapeutic interventions to further identify their potential to accelerate the recovery process in patients.
 

Investigating the effect of dexmedetomidine and ketamine as adjuvants in supraclavicular block in orthopedic surgeries of the forearm in reducing postoperative pain
Artadokht Khoshooei, Seyedeh Fatemeh Hosseini Nejad , Armin Kia , Nadia Zergani ,
Volume 83, Issue 4 (7-2025)
Abstract
Background: Nowadays, there is an increased emphasis on using safer and more modern anesthetic drugs. The addition of adjuvants not only enhances the anesthetic effect of the medication but also reduces the required dosage, thereby improving the safety margin. Effective postoperative pain control is a critical component in enhancing recovery and improving outcomes for orthopedic patients. Proper pain management not only facilitates early mobilization but also reduces complications and increases patient satisfaction. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of dexmedetomidine and ketamine as adjuvant drugs in supraclavicular nerve block for reducing postoperative pain following forearm orthopedic surgery.
Methods: This randomized, triple-blind clinical trial was meticulously conducted between April 2024 and March 2025 at Razi Hospital, a major teaching facility affiliated with Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Ahvaz, Iran. A total of 102 eligible patients were carefully enrolled and randomly assigned to three distinct groups: dexmedetomidine, ketamine, and control. Each patient received a standardized supraclavicular block using 2% lidocaine combined with the designated adjuvant drug to enhance analgesic efficacy. Vital signs, including heart rate, oxygen saturation, and Mean arterial pressure (MAP), were closely monitored every 15 minutes during surgery. Postoperative pain intensity was assessed using the Visual analog scale (VAS) at 1, 2, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery.
Results: Patients in the dexmedetomidine group showed significantly lower heart rate, MAP, and pain intensity compared to both ketamine and control groups at all measured time points (P<0.001). Ketamine also demonstrated better pain control and hemodynamic stability than the control group, although it was less effective than dexmedetomidine. Most differences in mean values between groups were statistically significant, confirming the superior performance of dexmedetomidine.
Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine, when used as an adjuvant in supraclavicular block for forearm orthopedic surgery, resulted in superior pain relief and greater hemodynamic stability compared to ketamine and standard care. These findings support its clinical use as an effective adjunct in regional anesthesia protocols.
 
Correlation between serum vitamin D levels and postoperative pain following cholecystectomy at Imam Ali Hospital of Bojnurd
Javad Hashemi, Hoseinali Soltani , Ali Esmaeili , Fatemeh Roshanravan Yazdi , Seyed Hassan Seyed Sharifi ,
Volume 83, Issue 4 (7-2025)
Abstract
Background: Postoperative pain is a significant concern after cholecystectomy. Given the role of vitamin D in pain management, this study investigated the correlation between preoperative vitamin D levels and postoperative pain severity in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with the aim of improving pain management and enhancing postoperative care.
Methods: This prospective observational study (January 2024- February 2025) was conducted on 87 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at Imam Ali Hospital of Bojnurd. Inclusion criteria were age 18-45, non-urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and good physical status. Exclusion criteria were chronic pain, regular analgesic use, known psychiatric or neurological disease or treatment, substance abuse, emergency cholecystectomy, or conversion to open surgery. Participants fasted for 12 hours preoperatively. All received 1 g (IV) ceftriaxone one hour before and 12 hours after surgery. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and fentanyl and maintained with isoflurane, nitrous oxide, or oxygen. Anesthesia and surgical technique were standardized, with any deviations recorded. We collected demographic data and extracted perioperative details from records and interviews. Pre-induction venous blood samples were collected, processed, and stored at -20°C. Serum vitamin D concentrations were quantified via ELISA method, and participants were subsequently stratified into two groups based on these measurements. Postoperative pain was assessed on a Visual Analog Scale (0-10) at 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours. Analgesic regimens followed standard protocol under physician supervision and were unaffected by the study.
Results: Lower serum vitamin D levels were associated with higher postoperative pain scores (P<0.01), with this relationship being significant at 6, 12, and 18 hours postoperatively (P<0.01, P<0.01, and P<0.05, respectively). Insufficient vitamin D levels and female gender were also independent risk factors for acute pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (P<0.01).
Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, preoperative vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased postoperative acute pain scores in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, especially in women. These findings may be useful for postoperative pain management in patients with vitamin D deficiency.
 
Investigation of the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in children with chronic abdominal pain referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital
Hedayat Heydarizadeh, Hossein Seyedkhani, Zahra Mohebinajad, Ali Heydarizadeh,
Volume 83, Issue 5 (8-2025)
Abstract
Background: Chronic abdominal pain, which is defined as long-term or intermittent abdominal pain, is a common problem in children. Helicobacter pylori infection is acquired in childhood and is one of the important causes of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and stomach cancer, so this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in children with chronic abdominal pain referred to Imam Hospital in 1402.
Methods: This study is descriptive-cross-sectional and the statistical population of children with chronic abdominal pain referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam city in 1402 was tested for Helicobacter bacteria. Helicobacter pylori was checked using stool antigen test.
Results: This study was conducted on 140 children with chronic abdominal pain with an average age of 7.06 years in the age range of 2-16 years, the majority of children living in Ilam city were boys. The type of feeding was reported in all children as regular, and the majority of them were the result of cesarean delivery (67.9%). The prevalence of 40.7% showed HP positivity in children with chronic abdominal pain. The majority of children in the age group of 4-8 years had Helicobacter pylori positive, 20 people (35.7%) and in children older than 12 years, Helicobacter pylori had the lowest frequency. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori was reported more in girls than in boys, and among the studied cities it was the highest. The outbreak was in the city of Ilam. There was no difference between the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori with age, sex, place of residence and type of delivery.
Conclusion: The general results of our study show that Helicobacter pylori is an important factor for chronic abdominal pain in children, but factors such as sex, place of residence and type of delivery do not affect its prevalence. It is suggested that in future studies, the family history, parents' infection with Helicobacter pylori and its relationship with transmission to the child should be measured.

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