BACKGROUND Eagle syndrome is an uncommon medical illness that can manifest as neck pain in primary care. It results from an abnormally unilateral or bilateral long styloid process that may compress and affect adjacent structures, which leads to the symptoms. Classical Eagle syndrome has been commonly reported, but this case highlights the uncommon involvement of autonomic nerve dysfunction. CASE REPORT This case report details a 43-year-old woman with chronic neck pain for 5 years who saw numerous medical professionals and underwent 8 physiotherapy sessions. Marginal improvement of her neck pain and recent development of imbalance and a floating sensation prompted escalation of radiological imaging that eventually led to the diagnosis of Eagle syndrome. She was subsequently subjected to tonsillectomy and styloidectomy to address the sources of her neck pain. CONCLUSIONS Neck pain is a common complaint in primary care, but Eagle syndrome is often overlooked due to its complex symptoms, which mimic other conditions resulting in missed diagnoses and prolonged diagnostic evaluations. To improve patient care and outcomes, primary care physicians should consider Eagle syndrome when evaluating neck pain. This involves taking a detailed clinical history, conducting a thorough physical examination, using appropriate imaging techniques, and knowing the treatment options. By considering this potential diagnosis, primary care physicians, other healthcare professionals, and physical therapists play an important role in referring these patients to an otorhinolaryngologist or a maxillofacial surgeon for a comprehensive evaluation and management.

UNASSIGNED: To explore the 6- and 12-month effectiveness of a single autologous injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in cervical facet joints of people with chronic WAD and facet-mediated pain.
UNASSIGNED: A prospective case series of people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders and cervical facet joint mediated pain in a community setting.
UNASSIGNED: We investigated 44 consecutive people who underwent cervical facet joint PRP ( ​± ​adjunct physiotherapy) between 2019 and 2021, selected for PRP based on 80% relief following single diagnostic medial branch blocks or 50% relief and a significant improvement in performing a previously limited activity of daily living.
UNASSIGNED: Measures of pain (numerical pain rating scale - NPRS) and disability (Neck Disability Index - NDI) were collected prior to and 3-, 6- and 12- months following cervical facet joint PRP in an electronic registry database. Success was defined as those exceeding the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for pain (>15%) and disability (>10%). We also calculated the proportion of people with greater than 50% relief of pain. People not reached for follow-up were considered failures for worst-case analysis.
UNASSIGNED: Forty-four people (82% female, mean age ​= ​45.2 (range: 25-71) years) underwent cervical facet joint PRP. Nine people received repeat PRP interventions. Thirty-five people provided 12-month data. There was a significant improvement in pain and disability following PRP (and possibly adjunct physiotherapy) received during this time period. At 12-months, 53% of people exceeded MCID for pain, reporting a mean improvement of 66% (95%CI: 55-77%) on the NPRS. For NDI scores, 69% of people exceeded MCID, reporting a mean improvement of 48% (95%CI: 38-58%). Thirty-seven percent of people reported greater than 50% relief of pain 12-months post-cervical facet joint PRP.
UNASSIGNED: In people with chronic WAD and facet-mediated pain, our long-term data suggests that PRP (and possibly adjunct physiotherapy) is effective. A controlled study is warranted to evaluate the efficacy of PRP.

UNASSIGNED: To explore the safety and feasibility of a single autologous injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in cervical facet joints of people with chronic WAD and facet-mediated pain, and explore the association between pain relief reported with diagnostic medial branch blocks (MBBs) and 3-months post-PRP.
UNASSIGNED: A prospective case series of people with chronic whiplash-associated disorders and cervical facet joint mediated pain in a community setting.
UNASSIGNED: A single autologous PRP injection was provided to cervical facet joints under ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance.
UNASSIGNED: Adverse events were recorded one-week, and measures of pain (numerical pain rating scale - NPRS) and disability (Neck Disability Index - NDI) were collected prior to and 3-months following cervical facet joint PRP. People not reached for follow-up were considered failures for worst-case analysis. The correlation between percentage response to diagnostic cervical medial branch blocks (MBBs) and percentage pain relief reported at 3-months was also investigated.
UNASSIGNED: Forty-four people (82% female; mean age (SD): 45.2 (10.8) years) underwent cervical facet joint PRP. There was a significant improvement in pain and disability following PRP. Seventy percent of people exceeded MCID for pain. For NDI scores, 80% of people exceeded MCID. Forty-one percent of people reported greater than 50% relief of pain 3-months post-cervical facet joint PRP.There was no significant correlation between percentage relief of pain with cervical MBBs and percentage relief of pain 3-months post-PRP (r ​= ​0.06, p ​= ​0.73).There were no adverse events reported.
UNASSIGNED: In people with chronic WAD and facet-mediated pain, preliminary data suggests that PRP is safe and it is feasible to move forwards with randomized studies to further investigate efficacy and effectiveness.

UNASSIGNED: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is effective in treating chronic neuropathic pain. A screening trial is typically conducted prior to implantation to evaluate whether a patient is a good candidate for SCS. However, the need for a screening trial has been debated. We evaluated real-world clinical outcomes in patients who underwent a single-stage procedure to receive SCS therapy (i.e., no screening trial period) (SS-SCS).
UNASSIGNED: This observational, multicentre, real-world consecutive case series evaluated SS-SCS chronic pain patients. Pain and other functional outcomes were collected as part of standard care by site personnel with no sponsor involvement. Assessments included Numerical rating scale (NRS), Percent Pain Relief (PPR) and EQ-5D-5L (EuroQol 5 Dimensions-5L), recorded prior to SCS and following implantation.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 171 chronic pain patients (mean age: 59.4; 53.2% females) underwent a single-stage procedure (mean last follow-up, 408 days) and were included in the analysis. A 5.0 ​± ​2.1-point improvement in overall pain was reported at 3 months and sustained until the last follow-up post-implantation (p ​< ​0.0001). At last follow-up, 50.3% (86/171) of patients reported an NRS pain score ≤3. Additionally, quality of life also improved (46.1-point change, from 70.2 to 25) at the last follow-up, based on EQ-5D-5L scores.
UNASSIGNED: In routine clinical practice, SS-SCS can provide significant long-term pain relief and improve quality of life in chronic pain patients. Our results suggest that effective long-term outcomes and success may be achieved without a trial period prior to permanent implantation of an SCS system.

OBJECTIVE: Cervical epidural steroid injections (ESIs) can provide effective pain management for patients suffering from chronic neck pain due to various pathological changes of the cervical spine. There are several rare adverse effects reported from interventional pain procedures, including persistent hiccups (\"singultus\"). Based on a limited number of cases, we propose a modified treatment algorithm for this adverse outcome (Fig. 3).
METHODS: Singultus has been documented as an adverse effect of interventional pain procedures, including epidural steroid, facet joint, and sacroiliac joint injections. We describe the case of a general contractor who presented to our clinic with chronic neck pain and central canal stenosis. The patient received an uncomplicated lumbar ESI in the past and was recommended for a cervical interlaminar ESI. After an uneventful C6-C7 interlaminar ESI with dexamethasone, 1% lidocaine, and normal saline the patient developed singultus. Baclofen was sent to his pharmacy, but this was unsuccessful at alleviating his hiccups. The patient was subsequently started on chlorpromazine and found relief from his symptomatology.
CONCLUSIONS: Persistent hiccups after ESI or interventional pain procedures can be treated with conservative measures and non-pharmacologic methods, with escalation to therapy with baclofen, gabapentin, pregabalin, metoclopramide, chlorpromazine, other antipsychotic or antidopaminergic agents, and possible dual or triple therapy if further indicated.

This paper presents a case of a 35-year-old female patient diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) type I and treated over a two-month period with a novel low-frequency sound-transduced focal pulsed stimulus. The patient received 21 treatments consisting of focally applied sound sweeps in the 15-100 Hz range. Outcome measures included the Visual Analogue Scale for pain, five physical assessment parameters, medication, and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale. A follow-up was conducted at six months. The results show that the patient\'s low-back pain level was substantially reduced after treatment and after six months. CRPS-related peripheral pain was strongly reduced but had some rebound after six months. The low-frequency sound-transduced focal pulsed stimulus shows potential as a non-invasive treatment for CRPS and deserves controlled clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Few neuroimaging studies have investigated structural brain differences associated with variations in pain distribution.
OBJECTIVE: To explore structural differences of the brain in fibromyalgia (FM), temporomandibular disorder pain (TMD) and healthy pain-free controls (CON) using structural and diffusion MRI.
METHODS: A case-control exploratory study with three study groups with different pain distribution were recruited: FM (n = 16; mean age [standard deviation]: 44 [14] years), TMD (n = 17, 39 [14] years) and CON (n = 10, 37 [14] years). Participants were recruited at the University Dental Clinic in Malmö, Sweden. T1-weighted and diffusion MRIs were acquired, clinical and psychosocial measures were obtained. Main outcome measures were subcortical volume, cortical thickness, white matter microstructure and whole brain grey matter intensity.
RESULTS: Patients with FM had smaller volume in the right thalamus than patients with TMD (p = .020) and CON (p = .030). The right thalamus volume was negatively correlated to pain intensity (r = -0.37, p = .022) and pain-related disability (r = -0.45, p = .004). The FM group had lower cortical thickness in the right anterior prefrontal cortex than CON (p = .005). Cortical thickness in this area was negatively correlated to pain intensity (r [37] = - 0.48, p = .002).
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that thalamus grey matter alterations are associated with FM and TMD, and that anterior prefrontal cortex grey matter alterations are associated with FM but not TMD. Studies on chronic overlapping pain conditions are needed in relation to possible nociplastic pain mechanisms in the brain and central nervous system.

Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative technology with the potential to enhance treatment for children with chronic pain and functional symptoms. Currently, little is known about patients\' experiences of VR in the setting of intensive interdisciplinary pain treatment (IIPT). This study aimed to better understand how patients engage with and benefit from VR. This case report focuses on a 12-year-old female with amplified musculoskeletal pain syndrome and comorbid functional neurological disorder receiving treatment in inpatient IIPT. VR was incorporated into physical/occupational and recreational therapy sessions. A semi-structured interview was completed one-month post-discharge. Qualitative analysis revealed three major themes: Process of Change (VR was unique/immersive, reduced pain focus, challenged skepticism, and changed pain perception), Efficacy (VR increased movement, supported transitioning from a wheelchair to walking independently, and increased confidence, excitement, and surprise), and Engagement (VR aided in acknowledging progress, increased camaraderie, was fun, and challenged patient to extend treatment goals made in VR to real life). Therapist observations of the benefits and barriers to using VR in treatment are described. Overall, this report indicates that VR may be a helpful tool to use with existing IIPT interventions to enhance patient engagement in treatment and improve functionaloutcomes.

BACKGROUND: Intractable hiccups, defined as those persisting for over 1 month, represent a rare but significant clinical challenge often associated with substantial morbidity and refractory to standard treatments.
METHODS: This case report describes the innovative use of phrenic nerve peripheral neuromodulation for managing chronic intractable hiccups in a 73-year-old male patient with a 6-year history of daily hiccups. Conventional treatments and interventional procedures had failed to provide lasting relief. Bilateral phrenic nerve peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) placed under ultrasound guidance resulted in immediate and substantial improvement, with the patient\'s Hiccup Assessment Instrument score decreasing from 6/10 to 2/10. The patient experienced significant enhancements in speech and quality of life without complications.
CONCLUSIONS: This novel application of phrenic nerve PNS highlights its potential as a therapeutic strategy for intractable hiccups, underscoring their pathophysiologic involvement of the diaphragm and respiratory muscles. The findings suggest that phrenic nerve PNS could offer a viable treatment option for patients unresponsive to conventional therapies, warranting further research to establish its long-term efficacy and safety.

BACKGROUND: Synovial hemangiomas are rare benign vascular anomalies surrounded by a synovial lining and were first described by Bouchut in 1856. These neoplasms can develop in the intra-articular region, resulting in effusions and knee pain. However, their cause remains unknown. Prompt diagnosis and intervention are critical to prevent chondral damage. Histopathological examination is used to achieve the diagnosis, which is often delayed because of a lack of specific clinical signs. This report describes a unique case in which a painful infrapatellar mass was diagnosed as a synovial hemangioma. The absence of typical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings highlights the importance of arthroscopic excision for diagnosis and symptom relief.
METHODS: A 20-year-old woman presented with persistent anterior left knee pain that became exacerbated when she climbed stairs. Despite previous pain management and physical therapy, she developed a painful lump beneath her patella that worsened over time. She had also undergone arthrocentesis, but this did not relieve her pain. Physical examination revealed a palpable, immobile 5-cm mass along the patellar tendon with limited knee flexion and extension and normal ligament stability. T1-weighted fat-saturated MRI of the left knee with gadolinium-based contrast revealed a lobulated intra-articular mass in Hoffa\'s fat pad that resembled a soft tissue chondroma. A biopsy of the mass was performed to provide histopathological evidence, confirming the benign nature of the mass. The subsequent excisional arthroscopy, combined with incision enlargement for mass removal, confirmed the histopathologic diagnosis of synovial hemangioma based on the presence of numerous dilated blood vessels and venous proliferation within sections of the synovium. Recovery was complete, and no residual tumor was detected on follow-up MRI after 1 year.
CONCLUSIONS: This case study emphasizes the importance of arthroscopic excision over open surgery for patients with synovial hemangioma. The minimally invasive nature of arthroscopy combined with the well-encapsulated nature and location of the mass facilitates complete resection.