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Query: UMLS:C0033774 (pruritus)
 14,546 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The aim of the regional administration of opioids is to provide an efficient and prolonged analgesia. Then, opiates can be useful for postoperative analgesia and for the treatment of chronic pain of malignant origin. Analgesia is correlated with several adverse effects of which the most frequent are nausea and itching and the most severe is respiratory depression. Beside the adverse effects, other properties of opiates could be responsible of favourable effects which can be taken in advantage in specific indications. In the postoperative period, epidurally administered opioid can attenuate the neuroendocrine and metabolic responses to surgery and pain. This effect is responsible of a reduction of the resistance to insulin and of a better nutritional balance, especially after major abdominal surgical procedures. Opioids also act by a reduction of the motor functions of the bowel, which perhaps could reduce the incidence of anastomotic breakdowns. Finally, other effects have been reported, as anecdotes, such as the treatment of spasm after bilateral replantation of the ureters, neurologic bladder dysfunctions and enuresis. Spinal administration of opioids has also been used as a treatment of premature ejaculation.
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PMID:[Non-analgesic effects of opioids]. 167 72

Histamine, the main amine released during allergic reactions, can provoke coronary arterial spasm manifested as angina pectoris. This has been shown during clinical and laboratory studies. The effects of histamine on cardiac function are mediated via H1- and H2- receptors situated on the four cardiac chambers and coronary arteries. Coronary arteries of cardiac patients are hyperactive and contain stores of histamine which can initiate coronary artery spasm. Clinical observations indicate that angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction can be provoked by acute allergic reaction. The coincidental occurrence of chest pain and allergic reaction accompanied by clinical and laboratory findings of classical angina pectoris seems to constitute the syndrome of allergic angina. The clinical symptoms of allergic angina include chest discomfort, dyspnoea, faintness, nausea, pruritus and urticaria. They are accompanied by signs such as hypotension, diaphoresis, pallor and bradycardia. There are also electrocardiographic findings indicating myocardial ischaemia, arrhythmias and conduction defects. Thus, in patients undergoing acute allergic reaction, the development of chest pain could be explained by the mechanism of coronary arterial spasm provoked by the release of histamine, which constitutes the syndrome of allergic angina.
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PMID:Histamine-induced coronary artery spasm: the concept of allergic angina. 179 97

The author describes the therapeutic results in 48 patients with chronic anal fissure by means of internal lateral sphincterotomy (ILS). He operated patients where the complaints did not recede after conservative treatment supplemented by divulsion of the anus. In 43 patients (89.58%) in the course of two to three weeks the anal fissure healed. Only four patients (8.33%) experienced after operation a slight discomfort such as itching in the perianal region. A relapse after temporary improvement occurred in one patient (0.49%). ILS is a simple and safe operation performed under general anaesthesia after precise differentiation of the internal sphincter. The results of surgical treatment are very satisfactory the marked painfulness recedes immediately after operation, the fissure heals rapidly after relaxation of the spasm of the internal sphincter. Postoperative treatment is simple, the percentage of complications is small. None of the patients operated in the authors' department developed incontinence.
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PMID:[Personal experience with the treatment of chronic anal fissures using internal lateral sphincterotomy]. 281 87

Anaphylaxis is a systemic reaction which can be very dangerous in many patients. In addition to the most common antigens (drugs, venoms, foods), physical exercise can provoke anaphylaxis in the sensitized patients. The mechanism of this reaction is still unknown. In this report, we describe a case of exercise-induced anaphylaxis in a 25 year old female who had experienced two syncopal attacks during strong physical activity. On other occasions she had noticed that prolonged work would cause urticaria, pruritus and numbness. During hospitalization, on two occasions a treadmill stress test induced bronchial spasm, urticaria and hypotension. We believe that the association of urticaria and anaphylaxis would suggest the possible presence of a vasoactive substance released from the mast-cells and basophil leucocytes.
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PMID:Systemic anaphylaxis induced by physical exertion: a case report. 379 10

Hemorrhoids are a common source of anorectal symptoms, which are determined by their size. A helpful measure in small hemorrhoids is a high-fiber diet; in moderate lesions, ligature therapy is effective. Surgery should be reserved for large hemorrhoids. Anal fissures, probably caused by trauma to the anal canal during defecation, may persist because of a cycle of hard stools, pain, and reflex spasm. A high-fiber diet and sitz baths relieve acute fissures. Lateral partial internal sphincterotomy is usually effective when they become chronic. Perianal abscess is often caused by acute infection of the anal glands; fistula is the result of chronic infection. Swelling and induration may be present. Pain is throbbing and continuous, and perianal examination may require use of an anesthetic. Incision and drainage with follow-up to ensure resolution of infection is required. Pruritus ani may result from several contributing conditions or may be idiopathic. Restoration of dry, intact perianal skin is the treatment goal. Patients should be taught gentle hygiene and drying methods and advised to avoid caffeine or other dietary items that seem to exacerbate symptoms. Condylomata acuminata cause bleeding and pain if allowed to progress. Biopsy should be considered in patients at risk of dysplasia. Repeated application of caustic topical agents may help small lesions. Large, extensive, and persistent lesions require surgical ablation.
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PMID:Anorectal disorders. Five common causes of pain, itching, and bleeding. 747 60

Botulinum toxin has become the initial treatment of choice for the management of essential blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm and other craniocervical dystonias. Numerous studies have confirmed a 90% to 95% response rate. Although a number of common side effects have been reported, the occurrence and incidence of rare local complications remains poorly understood. More importantly, the acute and chronic distant effects of botulinum toxin have not been clearly elucidated. A better understanding of such effects is essential if clinicians are to appropriately advise patients on the use of this therapeutic modality. This article is based on the Duke University experience in the management of over 500 patients with craniocervical spasm disorders, combined with a review of the published literature. These disorders include essential blepharospasm, oromandibular dystonia, hemifacial spasm, and torticollis. The incidence of side effects following more than 6000 treatments with botulinum toxin is presented. Pertinent research relating to the causes of these complications is also reviewed. The most common complications of treatment with botulinum toxin are related to acute local effects resulting from chemodenervation. The most important clinical effect in this group is weakening of the levator muscle resulting in ptosis, and the corneal consequences of lagophthalmos. The latter includes exposure keratitis, dry eyes, blurred vision, and hypersecretion epiphora. Less common local effects include facial numbness, diplopia, and ectropion. Some distant effects are being observed with increasing frequency. These include pruritus, dysphagia, nausea, and a flu-like syndrome. Most significant, however, are the rare reports of generalized weakness and the documentation of EMG abnormalities distant to the site of toxin injection. This has been seen with injections for both blepharospasm and torticollis. Until further studies on the long-term distant complications of botulinum toxin are available, it is recommended that patients receive as few life-time doses of toxin as possible, consistent with adequate management of their spasms. The practice of reinjecting patients routinely every three months, or at the first return of mild spasms should be discouraged.
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PMID:Botulinum-A toxin in the treatment of craniocervical muscle spasms: short- and long-term, local and systemic effects. 882 30

The most common cause of acral cyanosis is vascular spasm which can be induced by several drugs. An 87-year-old woman developed red and livid skin lesions on the fingers of both hands and several toes one month after beginning treatment with quinine sulfate 200 mg daily. The skin lesions progressed to necrosis in some areas. Quinine sulfate is a widely prescribed drug for nocturnal cramps. The following side effects may develop, particularly in the elderly: exanthems, pruritus, urticaria, erythema multiforme, purpura and photosensitivity. Our case points to the possibility of acral necrosis and demonstrates the efficacy of vasodilator treatment.
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PMID:[Acral necroses after therapy with quinine sulfate for calf cramps]. 1087 70

Selective dorsal rhizotomy is a surgical procedure with a selective division of posterior spinal nerve rootlets to treat spasticity in children. The extensive surgical procedure with multilevel laminectomies and the nerve root manipulation result in intense pain postoperatively. Two intrathecal (IT) regimes of pain treatment were compared in these children, concerning their pain relief and possible side-effects. In a prospective study, 12 children (3-6 years of age) with six in each group, received either intermittent IT morphine (5 microg x kg(-1) four times a day) or continuous infusion of a mixture of bupivacaine (40 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1)) and morphine (0.6 microg x kg(-1) x h(-1)). Pain score was lower in the bupivacaine/morphine group (0.2 +/- 1.1) compared to intermittent morphine (2 +/- 2.4) on a scale from 0 to 6 (P less than or = 0.0001). Bupivacaine/morphine resulted in a lower, but not significant, difference in pruritus and lower muscle spasm. Haemodynamic and ventilatory parameters did not differ between the groups. Intrathecal continuous infusion of bupivacaine and morphine was superior to intermittent morphine in the treatment of pain after selective dorsal rhizotomy operations.
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PMID:Morphine with or without a local anaesthetic for postoperative intrathecal pain treatment after selective dorsal rhizotomy in children. 1112 36

Red man syndrome (RMS) is the occurrence flushing, pruritus, chest pain, muscle spasm or hypotension during vancomycin infusion. It usually happens as a result of rapid infusion of the drug but may also occur after slow administration. The frequency and severity of this phenomenon diminish with repeated administration of vancomycin. A case is presented whereby RMS occurred while prophylactic antibiotic against infective endocarditis was administered.
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PMID:Red man syndrome during administration of prophylactic antibiotic against infective endocarditis. 1132 42

Intractable localised segmental pruritus without a rash has been reported over the years under various titles depending on the area of the body affected. Notalgia paresthetica and brachioradial pruritus are the two terms used for what is believed to be a form of neuropathy. The clinical observations reported here suggest that other localised cases of pruritus exist that share common clinical features, and the term neurogenic pruritus is suggested to encompass these under one clinical condition. Acupuncture has been used to treat skin conditions, of which pruritus is one symptom. This retrospective study looked at the symptomatic relief of neurogenic pruritus in 16 patients using acupuncture. In 12 cases the affected dermatomes of the body were innervated by cervical spinal nerves, seven innervated by dorsal spinal nerves and four innervated by the lumbar spinal nerves. Seven patients had areas affected by two different regions of the spine. Restricted neck or back movements were noted in patients as were areas of paravertebral spasm or tenderness of the muscles. Total resolution of symptoms as judged by VAS occurred in 75% of patients. Relapse occurred in 37% of patients within 1-12 months following treatment. Acupuncture appeared to be effective in alleviating the distressing symptom of itching in patients presenting with neurogenic pruritus.
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PMID:Neurogenic pruritus: an unrecognised problem? A retrospective case series of treatment by acupuncture. 1251 93


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