This article examines the biological, genetic, and environmental aspects of fibromyalgia that may have an impact on its pathogenesis. Symptoms of fibromyalgia may be related to aberrations in the endogenous inhibition of pain as well as changes in the central processing of sensory input. Genetic research has revealed familial aggregation of fibromyalgia and other related disorders like major depressive disorder. Dysfunctional pain processing may also be influenced by exposure to physical or psychological stressors, abnormal biologic reactions in the autonomic nervous system, and neuroendocrine responses. With more research the pathophysiology of fibromyalgia will be better understood, leading to more logical and focused treatment options for fibromyalgia patients.

Background: Meralgia paresthetica is a term used to describe a clinical pain syndrome related to the compression or irritation of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN). The LFCN is a pure sensory nerve that is susceptible to compression injury. The most common compression locations are: as it courses from the lumbosacral plexus, through the abdominal cavity, under the inguinal ligament, and into the subcutaneous tissue of the thigh.Methods: This case series is a retrospective single-center review of six patients with medically intractable meralgia paresthetica who were treated with radiofrequency ablation. To be considered for radiofrequency ablation, the patient must have been unsuccessful with medical management alone for more than two months and have a clinical diagnosis of meralgia paresthetica. Temporary relief of pain of 50% or greater was considered a positive result. Average pain scores were measured pre- and postprocedure, along with one-, two-, three-, and six-month intervals postoperation.Results: All patients demonstrated immediate relief in self-reported pain scores, averaging a 75.5% reduction in pain. At the one-, two-, three-, and six-month follow-ups, patients averaged a reduction of 60.0%, 58.0%, 51.4%, and 40.5%, respectively. Both the postop and one-month follow-up pain scores were lower, statistically significantly so (P < 0.05), whereas the two-, three-, and six-month follow-ups were not statistically different from pretreatment scores.Conclusions: Although our study was small, radiofrequency ablation showed a clear reduction in average pain scores in a subset of patients who had failed standard medical therapy with a reduction in pain at one-month follow-up with relief of symptoms sometimes lasting longer than 12 months.

Superior cluneal neuralgia (SCN) is a distinct cause of lower back and/or leg pain related to pathology of the superior cluneal nerve. When assessing a patient with low back pain (LBP), superior cluneal neuralgia is frequently misdiagnosed. The pathophysiology of SCN ranges from myofascial compression brought on by aberrant muscle tone to direct iatrogenic injury or trauma. In this technical report we will discuss the anatomy of superior cluneal nerve, superior cluneal neuralgia, current treatment modalities, and a novel approach to peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) lead placement via a cadaver demonstration for SCN.

Neuromodulation, through the use of spinal cord stimulation, is an evolving therapeutic alternative for the management of chronic and refractory pain