High intrathecal bupivacaine for severe pain in the head and neck

Intrathecal cervical analgesia for cancer pain: a 12-year follow-up study in a comprehensive cancer center

BACKGROUND

Intrathecal analgesia plays a key role for patients suffering refractory cancer pain. Nevertheless, intrathecal drug delivery systems (IDDS), requiring a cervical catheter tip implantation, have been poorly described in medical literature.

AIMS

A monocentric retrospective follow-up study was designed to evaluate results of cervical IDDS for cancer pain.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2010 to December 2022, all intrathecal-treated patients were prescribed a combined intrathecal analgesics regimen through a catheter placed in the cervical vertebral canal. Post-implant assessment of pain was determined using a numeric rating scale (NRS). Patients were followed via day-hospital visits and telephone calls at least monthly. Pain scores were compared using the Wilcoxon's signed rank test.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight patients were included in this study; all received intrathecal treatments. Implanted patients suffered from severe pain (mean presurgical maximum numerical rating score 8.02±0.24 despite a mean 562.56±127.72 mg of oral morphine equivalent daily dose). Mean survival time after intrathecal treatment start was 208.48±67 days. Intrathecal drug delivery systems provided pain relief compared with initial pain score with a significant statistical difference after 1 week, 1 month, 2 and 3 months (p<0.01). A 50% reduction in initial pain level was achieved in 93% of cases during the first week of intrathecal implant.

CONCLUSIONS

Results suggest that long-term intrathecal treatment using a multidrug regimen for cancer-related pain through cervical intrathecal catheters was suitable and safe in our study population. We demonstrated a clinically and statistically significant pain reduction in patients using mainly a percutaneous lumbar approach.

Prepontine cisternal routine for intrathecal targeted drug delivery in craniofacial cancer pain treatment: technical note

Intrathecal targeted drug delivery provides effective relief for cancer-related pain. However, its validation in management of craniofacial pain remains much less widely practiced, mainly due to the localized diffusion of analgesic agent with current approach. Here, we report our experience of prepontine cisternal routine for placement and implantation of intrathecal targeted drug delivery in two cases of cancer-related craniofacial pain. Lumbar cannulation was applied and the intrathecal catheter tip was positioned at the prepontine cistern under fluoroscopic guidance during the surgical implantation. Postoperative imaging confirmed that the catheter tip was successfully placed in the prepontine cisternal space. Satisfactory control of pain was achieved after intrathecal therapy, with significant reduction of background and breakthrough cancer pain. None obvious complications were observed in this study. Thus, our novel intrathecal routine may provide an alternative option for craniofacial pain caused by tumor, who were insufficiently treated by oral analgesic agents.

Controversies in intrathecal drug delivery for cancer pain

Pain and suffering related to cancer are challenging issues that continue to deserve consideration for treatment optimization. Advances in analgesic management and control of the underlying cancer have improved symptom management, yet many patients still suffer from uncontrolled pain. Intrathecal drug delivery has an established role in the management of refractory cancer pain, but there are significant knowledge gaps in our understanding and application of this therapy. This review addresses several areas of controversy, including the importance of intrathecal catheter tip location, the necessity of an intrathecal trial and the role of intrathecal ziconotide and local anesthetics. In each area, the evidence is discussed, with an emphasis on presenting practical clinical guidance and highlighting deficiencies in our knowledge that are worthy of future investigation.

Management of Cancer-Related Pain With Intrathecal Drug Delivery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Clinical Studies

BACKGROUND

Despite increased attention paid to assessment and management, pain continues to be a prevalent and undertreated symptom in patients with cancer. Intrathecal drug delivery (IDD) is a therapeutic option that allows targeted delivery of analgesics to the intrathecal space.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review was to examine the efficacy of managing cancer-related pain with IDD. Secondary objectives included the effects of IDD on systemic opioid use and infection rates.

EVIDENCE REVIEW

A systematic search of the literature published between 1990 and 2019 was performed to identify studies evaluating the efficacy and/or safety of IDD with external or implanted pumps in patients with cancer-related pain. Data were extracted and meta-analyses performed to determine the mean changes in pain levels at short-, mid-, and long-term intervals; changes in opioid (oral morphine equivalent [OME]) daily dose; and infection rates. Changes were assessed compared with baseline.

FINDINGS

Pain levels were decreased from baseline: On a 0 to 10 scale, mean differences were -4.34 (95% CI [-4.93 to -3.75], p < 0.001) at 4 to 5 weeks; -4.34 (95% CI [-5.07 to -3.62], p < 0.001) at 6 to 12 weeks; and -3.32 (95% CI [-4.60 to -2.04], p < 0.001) at >6 months. Weighted mean OME consumption was reduced by 308.24 (SE = 22.72) mg/d. Weighted mean infection rates were ∼3% for external and implanted pumps.

CONCLUSIONS

Meta-analyses show a statistically significant and sustained decrease in cancer pain with IDD, compared with baseline. Systemic opioid consumption was reduced on average by >50% after IDD. Infection rates were comparable with other indications.

First Evaluation Switching From Ropivacaine to Highly Concentrated Bupivacaine in Intrathecal Mixtures for Cancer Pain

BACKGROUND

Intrathecal drug delivery is widely used for intractable cancer pain treatment. A combination of drugs with morphine and bupivacaine is recommended in first line therapy. In France, we use ropivacaine 10 mg/mL instead of bupivacaine 5 mg/mL, the only concentration available. Bupivacaine 40 mg/mL has been available in France only since July 2020 under temporary authorization of use.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of the study was to evaluate the safety, efficacy by pain assessment, to analyze drug dosage changes, to report adverse events (AEs) and conversion ratios switching from ropivacaine to bupivacaine. Secondary objective was to evaluate costs differences.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted this retrospective follow-up monocentric study within the Institut de Cancérologie de l'Ouest (ICO) Pain Department in Angers, France. We included 14 patients aged 18 years and above, implanted with an Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems (IDDS) for cancer pain treatment and followed up at ICO from July 2020 to February 2021 after switching from ropivacaine to bupivacaine. We used a continuous infusion mode and Bolus could be added through Personal Therapy Manager (PTM).

RESULTS

The median conversion ratio between ropivacaine and bupivacaine was 0.68 (0.65; 0.69) and resulted in no significant change in numeric rating scale evaluation (p = 0.10). We observed moderate and rapidly reversible AEs such as clinical hypotension (29%) and motor block after bolus (21%). The estimated median hospital cost per day was significantly lower (p = 0.05) for the bupivacaine refills than for the last ropivacaine pump refill, decreasing from US$ 61.7 (49.6; 70.5) to US$ 50.4 (45.9; 60.4). The median reimbursement per day from the National Health Insurance (NHI) was three times lower for bupivacaine pump refill when compared to the last ropivacaine pump refill (p < 0.01), decreasing from US$ 179.10 (156.79; 182.91) to US$ 64.59 (59.85; 71.89).

CONCLUSION

Switching from ropivacaine to bupivacaine in IDDS appears more efficacious while remaining just as secure, and at lower cost.

Electrical Stimulation of the Trigeminal Ganglion and Intrathecal Drug Delivery Systems for the Management of Corneal Neuropathic Pain

PURPOSE

This case study reports on 2 novel neuromodulatory approaches in the management of a particularly recalcitrant case of corneal neuropathic pain.

METHODS

Report of a case

RESULTS

: A 32-year-old woman presented with intractable bilateral dry eye-like symptoms and corneal neuropathic pain after undergoing laser in situ keratomileusis surgery. Extensive ocular and systemic therapies were unsuccessful. Implantation of an electrode for the electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion resulted in complete resolution of symptoms, but pain recurred after lead migration. Implantation of an intrathecal infusion system for fentanyl and bupivacaine delivery at the C1-C2 level resulted in control of her symptoms with excellent pain relief for more than 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

Electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion and a high cervical intrathecal pain pump can be used in the management of corneal neuropathic pain unresponsive to ocular and systemic approaches.

Tachyphylaxis to local anaesthetics. What is the clinical evidence? A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Tachyphylaxis or acute tolerance to local anaesthetics has been reported, but the prevalence in clinical analgesia is obscure, and the mechanisms behind this phenomenon remain unclear. We sought to examine the clinical significance of tachyphylaxis from the available literature.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of the literature utilising the databases PubMed and Embase employing the search terms [Tachyphylaxis AND Local Anaesthetics AND Human] AND [Tolerance AND Local Anaesthetics AND Human].

RESULTS

A total of 66 records were identified. Thirty-four articles were assessed in full text for eligibility. Twenty studies were considered relevant for qualitative analyses, but only six studies were randomised controlled trials. Because of the heterogeneity of the randomised controlled trials, it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION

Studies documenting tachyphylaxis with clinical use of local anaesthetics are surprisingly scarce, and the mechanisms behind it remain unclear.

Successful Management of Corneal Neuropathic Pain with Intrathecal Targeted Drug Delivery

OBJECTIVE

To describe the successful treatment of refractory corneal neuropathic pain with neuromodulation techniques.

DESIGN

Single case report.

SETTING

Academic tertiary care center in the United States of America.

SUBJECT AND METHODS

A 30-year-old woman presented with a 7-year history of refractory bilateral keratoneuralgia following laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis (LASIK) procedure on both eyes. Having failed all conservative measures, the patient initially underwent trigeminal nerve stimulation and subsequently was implanted with an intrathecal drug delivery system (IDDS) with the catheter placed at the level C1.

RESULTS

Following an initial favorable response to the trigeminal nerve stimulator, the pain became refractory to neurostimulation after a few months and the system was explanted. The patient was successfully trialed with an intrathecal catheter placed at the level of C1 delivering a combination of bupivacaine and low dose fentanyl. The patient was then implanted with an IDDS equipped with a patient-activated bolus system. The patient was very satisfied with the treatment and has had greater than 50% pain relief for over a year.

CONCLUSIONS

Intrathecal delivery of bupivacaine and low dose fentanyl in the upper cervical spine can be effective in controlling refractory eye pain in properly selected patients and treatment centers.

Interventional management of cancer pain

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Interventional techniques were the mainstay for cancer pain management before the WHO ladder and opioids were freely available. The three-step WHO ladder has its limitations, and cancer pain is often under treated. Advances in treatment options mean that cancer patients are living longer and pain interventions may have a role to play even early in the cancer diagnosis for better quality of analgesia. The role of high doses of opioids in pain management is also currently under scrutiny.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent advances in intrathecal analgesia, radiofrequency techniques, both in tumour ablation and neurotomies, are being widely used for palliation. Vertebroplasty techniques have been used not only for pain relief, but also for stabilization. Improved imaging and thoracoscopic techniques have made coeliac plexus and splanchnic blockade safer and more efficacious. There has been recent interest in percutaneous cordotomy with newer techniques using computed tomography/MRI and endoscopy guidance. Percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and 8% capsaicin patches have been successfully used for managing neuropathic pain in cancer.

SUMMARY

Interventions form an integral part in providing pain relief in complex cancer pains. Oncologists and palliative care physicians are to be educated on the usefulness and timing of interventions in the management of complex cancer pain.

Movement-evoked breakthrough cancer pain despite intrathecal analgesia: a prospective series

BACKGROUND

Intrathecal analgesia (ITA) is a valuable treatment option for intractable cancer-related pain. However, the issue of movement-evoked breakthrough pain (BTP) has not been specifically investigated in the ITA setting. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of ITA on spontaneous resting pain intensity (SRPI), doses of non-ITA opioids, and specifically on movement-evoked pain intensity (MEPI).

METHODS

We prospectively studied 28 consecutive patients who graded SRPI and MEPI on a 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS) at the time of ITA procedure, after 1 week, and after 1 month. Mild pain was defined as NRS ≤ 3 and severe pain as NRS ≥ 7. Concomitant doses of opioids were registered.

RESULTS

After 1 week, no patient had severe SRPI compared with 31% before ITA, and the proportion of patients with mild SRPI had increased from 27% to 76%. Meanwhile, the median daily dose of non-ITA opioids decreased from 575 to 120 mg of oral morphine equivalents. The effect on SRPI and on doses of non-ITA opioids remained essentially unchanged during the study month, but the proportion of patients having severe MEPI did not change significantly: 44% still had severe MEPI after 1 week and 40% after 1 month.

CONCLUSION

Movement-evoked BTP was a major clinical problem throughout the study month despite otherwise successful ITA. Improving the quality of life of patients with intractable cancer-related pain should include developing strategies to better deal with movement-evoked BTP.

Paravertebral cervical nerve block in a patient suffering from a Pancoast tumor

In patients with aggressive tumors resistant to conventional pain treatment, regional anaesthesia frequently becomes an alternative therapy. Cervical paravertebral nerve block among several access options to the brachial plexus is barely ever used. We present a case with severe shoulder and upper extremity pain owing to an expanding Pancoast tumor exhibiting compression upon the brachial plexus. Continuous intrathecal morphine infusion and adjuvant treatment was not sufficient to render the patient pain-free. With the addition of paravertebral nerve blockade the patient's pain improved substantially, however without impacting his longevity.