OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the etiology of fine superficial fissures in women with vulvar pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The charts of women with vulvar complaints seen in the Mucosal Disorders Clinic at Northwestern University between April 2006 and May 2008 were reviewed. Outcome measures included mucocutaneous examination findings ...

BACKGROUND: Aboriginal people in Australia have been uniquely identified as less susceptible to chronic low back pain (CLBP) disability when compared to non-Aboriginal populations, reportedly due to cultural beliefs about pain. A qualitative, culturally secure research approach was used to explore this assumption. METHODS: In-depth interviews were undertaken with 32 ...

Objective.  Pain is a subjectively complex and universal experience. We examine research investigating ethnic group differences in experimental pain response and factors contributing to group differences. Method.  We conducted a systematic literature review and analysis of studies using experimental pain stimuli to assess pain sensitivity across multiple ethnic groups. Our ...

The purpose of this review was to evaluate systematically all published and unpublished research concerning culture and medical procedural pain in children. Databases, reference lists, and electronic list servers were searched as data sources. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies (80%) were conducted solely in the United States ...

Greater dispositional optimism has been related to less severe pain; however, whether optimism is associated with endogenous pain modulation has not yet been examined. The beneficial effects of dispositional optimism often vary according to cultural dynamics. Thus, assessing optimism-pain relationships across different ethnic groups is warranted. This study sought to ...

This study aims to review the use of sacral neuromodulation in the patient population with painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis (PBS/IC), chronic pelvic pain (CPP), and sexual dysfunction. A literature review of the current research was carried out. This article highlights the current research findings and uses of sacral neuromodulation in ...

The objectives of this study are to investigate myofascial pain in patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) and to correlate myofascial exam findings with validated questionnaires. A retrospective chart review was performed on 186 patients with a diagnosis of IC from April 2007 to December 2008. Demographics, history and physical examination, ...

Researchers have conducted studies regarding whiplash-induced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain and dysfunction mainly under the presumption that patients' memory of symptoms remains accurate across time. In this prospective study, the authors aimed to determine the frequency of patients' inaccurate retrospective reports of TMJ pain and dysfunction after whiplash trauma. The ...

Although a clear link between diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and autonomic neuropathy is recognized, the relationship of autonomic neuropathy with subtypes of DPN is less clear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of autonomic neuropathy with painless and painful DPN. Eighty subjects (20 healthy volunteers, 20 with no DPN, ...

Over the past 15 years, significant advances have been made in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). The most significant of these advances has been pharmacological treatment of ED with phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. This therapy greatly increased the awareness of ED and has helped stimulate research into the ...

The DSM-IV-TR attempted to create a unitary category of dyspareunia based on the criterion of genital pain that interfered with sexual intercourse. This classificatory emphasis of interference with intercourse is reviewed and evaluated from both theoretical and empirical points of view. Neither of these points of view was found to ...

Low back pain (LBP), a highly prevalent problem in society, is often a recurrent condition. Recent advances in the understanding of the biomechanics of LBP have highlighted the importance of muscular stabilization of the "neutral zone" range of motion in the low back. The lumbar multifidus muscles (LMM) are important ...

To study intravaginal diazepam suppositories as adjunctive treatment for high-tone pelvic floor dysfunction (HTPFD) and sexual pain. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 26 patients who received diazepam suppositories as adjuvant therapy to pelvic physical therapy and intramuscular trigger point injections for bladder pain, sexual pain, and levator hypertonus. ...

INTRODUCTION: The field of erectile dysfunction (ED) is evolving and there is a need for state-of-the-art information in the area of treatment. Aim. To develop an evidence-based, state-of-the-art consensus report on the treatment of erectile dysfunction by implants, mechanical devices, and vascular surgery. METHODS: To provide state-of-the-art knowledge concerning treatment ...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This review aims to evaluate the literature pertaining to subjective balance dysfunction following vestibular schwannoma surgery; the effect of postoperative imbalance on disability, handicap and quality of life; and to determine factors that influence vestibular compensation. METHODS: Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane databases, and relevant contemporary texts were searched for papers ...

We report herein a case of microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), presenting onset with a spiking fever, liver/biliary dysfunction without jaundice and calf pain without elevation of serum creatine phosphokinase. During 1 month of careful examinations for initial diagnosis, the patient developed renal dysfunction and pulmonary hemorrhage. Based on the results of ...

INTRODUCTION: Sexual pain disorders refer to conditions of genital pain that interfere with intercourse. They often have a musculoskeletal component related to the pelvic floor and are included in the DSM-IV as sexual dysfunctions. Musculoskeletal pain (MP) that is not essentially genitally based often interferes with sex as well yet ...

Altered central neural processing of sensory information may be associated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) pain. The objectives of this study were to compare the prevalence of self-reported taste disturbances in TMD pain patients and in a control population, and to determine whether frequency of taste disturbances was correlated with dysfunctional ...

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction in women is a challenging and difficult problem to treat. There can be multiple etiologies for these problems, and they can present differently in patients. Practitioners and patients can become frustrated when treatment becomes elusive. CASE: A patient complained of unilateral pelvic pain only with orgasm. Treatment ...

Benign uterine fibroids, or leiomyomas, are the most common tumors found in gynecologic practice. Symptomatic fibroids present with menorrhagia, pelvic pain, leukorrhea, pressure and bloating, increased abdominal girth, and severe dysmenorrhea. Traditional treatment has relied on surgery because long-term medical therapies have demonstrated only minimal response. Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) ...

Sex therapy's claims to specialization may be exaggerated and ultimately damaging to the integrated treatment of sexual dysfunction. In fact, sex therapy does not have a unified underlying theory, a unique set of practices, or an empirically demonstrated efficacious treatment outcome. Paradoxically, the practice of sex therapy has gained widespread ...

Our purpose was to explore and describe physiotherapists' informed consent practices in the treatment of clients with low back pain. Forty-four physiotherapists were assigned to six focus group interviews. Focus group interaction elicits insights that are less accessible in individual interviews and which can be corroborated immediately through inbuilt checks ...

To detail the progress of a novice triathlete with an unusual mechanism of a tibialis posterior strain who underwent successful conservative treatment and rehabilitation. Tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction will be discussed as it relates to the case. The clinical features of tibialis posterior dysfunction are swelling and edema posterior to ...

47 end-stage TMJ patients with high occlusal plane angulation, treated with TMJ custom-fitted total joint prostheses and simultaneous maxillo-mandibular counter-clockwise rotation were evaluated for pain and dysfunction presurgery (T1) and at the longest follow-up (T2). Patients subjectively rated their facial pain/headache, TMJ pain, jaw function, diet and disability. Objective functional ...

Male pelvic pain, often referred to as chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), is a common yet poorly understood problem, associated with significant sexual dysfunction. A critical review of the literature is presented, with specific attention to co-morbid sexual dysfunction. Recommendations for future multidisciplinary research and clinical work ...

Painful intercourse at women is a diagnostically and therapeutically difficult issue, but most of all there is no accordance to the etiology of this health problem. At present there are six classification systems by menas of which one tries to describe this issue. The layout of presented work is based ...

Idiopathic hypercalciuria is a common disorder in children and can present with a range of clinical presentations such as hematuria, voiding dysfunction, flank pain, abdominal pain, nephrolithiasis, urinary tract infection and decreased bone mineral density. In the review below we provide a brief overview of calcium metabolism, types and clinical ...

Existing therapies for vulvodynia are inadequate. Because vulvodynia has a pathophysiology similar to chronic pain, central nervous system dysfunction may underlie this painful disorder, and noninvasive methods of neuromodulation may prove highly effective. We report a case of severe, medically refractory vulvodynia that responded remarkably to treatment with transcranial direct ...

Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction is once again garnering attention as a treatable diagnosis for the millions of individuals suffering from acute and chronic low back pain. Theoretically, excessive or restricted motion at the SIJ can alter the mechanics of the spine and pelvis causing pain. Oft en the clinician's history ...

Penile rehabilitation has been an area of intense study and debate over the last decade. Interest in this topic was stimulated by the observation that erectile dysfunction remained a significant problem after radical prostatectomy despite meticulous nerve-sparing technique. Smooth muscle alterations and fibrotic changes in the penis were identified as ...

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by widespread mechanical tenderness, fatigue, nonrefreshing sleep and depressed mood. Several biological abnormalities have been described in FM patients, including elevated substance P in the cerebrospinal fluid, increased CNS sensitivity to painful and nonpainful stimuli and pervasive dysfunction of the autonomic nervous ...

INTRODUCTION: Peyronie's disease is a common cause of sexual dysfunction. We assess the technique of plaque excision and dermal grafting for the treatment of Peyronie's disease. METHODS: A total of 11 patients, aged 38-55 years, were operated for Peyronie's disease. All patients had stable plaque on the dorsum or dorsolateral ...

Female voiding dysfunction unrelated to childbirth is common but poorly understood, and most often occurs as a result of detrusor hypotonia and less frequently in association with bladder outlet obstruction. Specific causes include anti-incontinence surgery, bladder over-distension, painful infective, allergic or chemical reactions of the urogenital tissues, bladder outlet obstruction, ...

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: The degree of sexual dysfunction in patients with painful bladder syndrome (PBS) across their lifespan has not been previously documented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) is a research tool to measure the degree of clinical female sexual dysfunction (FSD). This 19-item questionnaire evaluates FSD in ...

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJD) is a common problem seen in many of the dental clinics. Management of this depends on an accurate diagnosis of the cause for the TMJD. Physical therapy and rehabilitation play a vital role in the management of these dysfunctions. Physical therapy is useful in treating post-traumatic ...

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is one of the most common reasons patients seek the opinion of a gynecologist. This article reviews the causes of dysfunctional uterine bleeding and the relevant differential diagnosis. Laboratory and radiologic studies pertinent to the evaluation of dysfunctional uterine bleeding are delineated. Medical therapy is the principal ...

PURPOSE: Many young women suffer from pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse, and an increasing number of them seek help for their problems. It seems that some young women continue to have sexual intercourse despite pain. However, their motives are unclear. METHODS: A total of 16 women, aged 14 to ...

Congenital insensitivity (HSAN) to pain is a rare disorder, which affects the body's painprotective mechanism and predisposes the patient to increased risk and incidence of traumatic injuries. Currently, 5 types of hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies have been identified, depending upon different patterns of sensory and autonomic dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, ...

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare perioperative pain and institutional use for women undergoing transcatheter uterine artery embolization (UAE) and transcatheter uterine artery occlusion (UAO) for the treatment of heavy uterine bleeding associated with uterine leiomyomas. DESIGN: A pilot double-blind, randomized clinical trial (Canadian Task Force classification I). SETTING: Large, university-affiliated community ...

Uterine leiomyomas pose a significant health issue to reproductive-age women. Many women desire uterine conservation, and previously safe and efficacious therapies have been limited. Magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery is a new noninvasive therapy that has been proven to be both safe and efficacious in the treatment of fibroids.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in women and men is associated with significant sexual dysfunction. Recently, musculoskeletal factors have been recognized as significant contributors to the mechanism of pelvic pain and associated sexual dysfunction, and in particular, pelvic floor muscle hypertonus has been implicated. AIM: The purpose of this Continuing ...

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction and pancreas divisum are very distinct anatomic abnormalities, yet are diagnosed in similar clinical situations. While both entities are uncommon, they are most often discovered during the evaluation of postcholecystectomy syndrome, recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis, and biliary or pancreatic pain when first line studies are normal. Treatment ...

The primary aim of this retrospective study was to focusing on the relationship between individual outcomes of bedside examination (BE) and quantitative testing of somatosensory functions (QST) in 32 patients with painful traumatic partial nerve injury. In addition, the potential presence of common sensory dysfunction denominators has been probed. Patients ...

OBJECTIVE: To determine the usefulness of 3-dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound in distinguishing painful leiomyomas from focal myometrial contractions or nonpainful leiomyomas in pregnancy. METHODS: A 2D section of the area of interest in the uterine wall was first obtained in 29 patients to determine whether the pain originated from ...

Despite the high prevalence of genital pain in healthy young adult women, limited research has addressed genital pain during intercourse using contemporary models of multidimensional sexual function. The objectives of this study were threefold: (1) to identify differences in sexual functioning in women who experience genital pain compared to pain ...

BACKGROUND: Sexual dysfunction due to ejaculatory and genital pain after groin hernia surgery may occur in approximately 2.5% of patients. However, the specific psychosexological and neurophysiologic characteristics have not been described, thereby precluding assessment of pathogenic mechanisms and treatment strategies. METHODS: Ten patients with severe pain-related sexual dysfunction and ejaculatory ...

Patellofemoral pain is an extremely common disorder, especially in female athletes. There is, however, no true consensus as to the cause and appropriate treatment for patellofemoral pain. This article reviews the epidemiology of patellofemoral pain as well as the proposed etiologies, including quadriceps dysfunction, static alignment disorders, and dynamic alignment ...

Recent large-scale epidemiological studies have documented a strong association between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED). This observation has two important scientific and clinical aspects: (i) to reveal the pathomechanism linking LUTS and ED and (ii) to consider this fact in the individual approach for diagnosis and ...

An integrative functional model largely based upon the observation and analysis of the more common features of neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction encountered in clinical practice was presented as a working hypothesis in Part 1. The functional inter relationships between these regional and general features and their contribution to the development and perpetuation ...

Scapholunate instability is the most common form of carpal instability. Pain produced by this condition is caused by the wrist's inability to sustain physiologic loads because of an injury to the linkage between the scaphoid and lunate. The term scapholunate instability may describe a wide spectrum of clinical conditions ranging ...