Ketamine as an adjuvant in sympathetic blocks for management of central sensitization following peripheral nerve injury

<p>Abstract</p> <p/> <p>Proliferation of NMDA receptors and role of glutamate in producing central sensitization and 'wind up' phenomena in CRPS [complex regional pain syndrome] forms a strong basis for the use of Ketamine to block the cellular mechanisms that initi...

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Main Authors: Dureja GP, Toshniwal Gokul, Sunder Rani A
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Georg Thieme Verlag KG 2008-10-01
Series:Journal of Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury
Online Access:http://www.jbppni.com/content/3/1/22
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author Dureja GP
Toshniwal Gokul
Sunder Rani A
author_facet Dureja GP
Toshniwal Gokul
Sunder Rani A
author_sort Dureja GP
collection DOAJ
description <p>Abstract</p> <p/> <p>Proliferation of NMDA receptors and role of glutamate in producing central sensitization and 'wind up' phenomena in CRPS [complex regional pain syndrome] forms a strong basis for the use of Ketamine to block the cellular mechanisms that initiate and maintain these changes. In this case series, we describe 3 patients of CRPS Type II with debilitating central sensitization, heat/mechano allodynia and cognitive symptoms that we termed 'vicarious pain'. Each of these patients had dramatic relief with addition of Ketamine as an adjuvant to the sympathetic blocks after conventional therapy failed.</p> <p>Case Reports</p> <p>All 3 patients suffered gunshot wounds and developed characteristic features of CRPS Type II. Within 2–3 weeks they developed extraterritorial symptoms typical of central sensitization. The generalized mechanical allodynia and debilitating heat allodynia described to be rare in human subjects had life altering affect on their daily life. Case 2 and 3 also described an unusual cognitive phenomenon i.e. visual stimuli of friction would evoke severe pain in the affected limb that we have termed as 'vicarious pain'. They responded positively to sympathetic blocks but the sympatholysis did not bring relief to the heat and mechanical allodynia. Addition of Ketamine 0.5 mg/kg to the sympathetic blocks elicited resulted in marked relief in the allodynia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Ketamine has a special role in patients with debilitating heat allodynia and positive cognitive symptoms via its action on central pain pathway. As an adjuvant in sympatholytic blocks it has a targeted action without significant neuropsychiatric side effects.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-a7b0b051c2614364b342d5a7654864082022-12-22T01:35:14ZengGeorg Thieme Verlag KGJournal of Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury1749-72212008-10-01312210.1186/1749-7221-3-22Ketamine as an adjuvant in sympathetic blocks for management of central sensitization following peripheral nerve injuryDureja GPToshniwal GokulSunder Rani A<p>Abstract</p> <p/> <p>Proliferation of NMDA receptors and role of glutamate in producing central sensitization and 'wind up' phenomena in CRPS [complex regional pain syndrome] forms a strong basis for the use of Ketamine to block the cellular mechanisms that initiate and maintain these changes. In this case series, we describe 3 patients of CRPS Type II with debilitating central sensitization, heat/mechano allodynia and cognitive symptoms that we termed 'vicarious pain'. Each of these patients had dramatic relief with addition of Ketamine as an adjuvant to the sympathetic blocks after conventional therapy failed.</p> <p>Case Reports</p> <p>All 3 patients suffered gunshot wounds and developed characteristic features of CRPS Type II. Within 2–3 weeks they developed extraterritorial symptoms typical of central sensitization. The generalized mechanical allodynia and debilitating heat allodynia described to be rare in human subjects had life altering affect on their daily life. Case 2 and 3 also described an unusual cognitive phenomenon i.e. visual stimuli of friction would evoke severe pain in the affected limb that we have termed as 'vicarious pain'. They responded positively to sympathetic blocks but the sympatholysis did not bring relief to the heat and mechanical allodynia. Addition of Ketamine 0.5 mg/kg to the sympathetic blocks elicited resulted in marked relief in the allodynia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Ketamine has a special role in patients with debilitating heat allodynia and positive cognitive symptoms via its action on central pain pathway. As an adjuvant in sympatholytic blocks it has a targeted action without significant neuropsychiatric side effects.</p>http://www.jbppni.com/content/3/1/22
spellingShingle Dureja GP
Toshniwal Gokul
Sunder Rani A
Ketamine as an adjuvant in sympathetic blocks for management of central sensitization following peripheral nerve injury
Journal of Brachial Plexus and Peripheral Nerve Injury
title Ketamine as an adjuvant in sympathetic blocks for management of central sensitization following peripheral nerve injury
title_full Ketamine as an adjuvant in sympathetic blocks for management of central sensitization following peripheral nerve injury
title_fullStr Ketamine as an adjuvant in sympathetic blocks for management of central sensitization following peripheral nerve injury
title_full_unstemmed Ketamine as an adjuvant in sympathetic blocks for management of central sensitization following peripheral nerve injury
title_short Ketamine as an adjuvant in sympathetic blocks for management of central sensitization following peripheral nerve injury
title_sort ketamine as an adjuvant in sympathetic blocks for management of central sensitization following peripheral nerve injury
url http://www.jbppni.com/content/3/1/22
work_keys_str_mv AT durejagp ketamineasanadjuvantinsympatheticblocksformanagementofcentralsensitizationfollowingperipheralnerveinjury
AT toshniwalgokul ketamineasanadjuvantinsympatheticblocksformanagementofcentralsensitizationfollowingperipheralnerveinjury
AT sunderrania ketamineasanadjuvantinsympatheticblocksformanagementofcentralsensitizationfollowingperipheralnerveinjury