Journal of Clinical and Medical Case Studies

Journal of Clinical and Medical Case Studies

Menu

All submissions of the EM system will be redirected to Online Manuscript Submission System. Authors are requested to submit articles directly to Online Manuscript Submission System of respective journal.

A Proposed Multimodal Therapy Approach for the Treatment of Arachnoiditis

Yeng F Her*

Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester, USA

*Corresponding Author:
Yeng F Her
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Rochester, USA
E-mail: her.yeng@mayo.edu

Received: 21-May-2024, Manuscript No.JCMCS-24-136621; Editor assigned: 23-May-2024, PreQC No. JCMCS-24-136621(PQ); Reviewed: 07-June-2024, QCNo.JCMCS-24-136621; Revised: 13-June-2024, ManuscriptNo.JCMCS-24-136621(R); Published: 20-June-2024, DOI: 10.4172/J Clin Med Case Stud.9.2.001.

Citation: Her YF. A Proposed Multimodal Therapy Approach for the Treatment of Arachnoiditis. J Clin Med Case Stud. 2024;9:001

Copyright: © 2024 Her YF. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Visit for more related articles at Journal of Clinical and Medical Case Studies

Journal of Clinical and Medical Case Studies

Description

The goals of treatment of arachnoiditis are to control inflammation and prevent the formation of epidural fibrosis and to relieve pain. Understanding the mechanism of wound healing may facilitate the formulation of effective therapies for arachnoiditis. After a spine operation, hemostasis begins with formation of platelet plug and fibrin matrix to prevent blood loss followed by inflammation with neutrophils and macrophages infiltrate to remove debris and prevent infection [1,2]. The inflammation then recedes to allow angiogenesis, closure of the wound gap, and replace fibrin clot with granulation tissue. Finally, tissue remodeling leads to wound contraction and epidural fibrosis.

Although inflammation is critical to healing, excessive or uncontrolled neuroinflammation can result in unwanted epidural adhesion that increases nerve tension with movement, inhibits nerve function, and causes nerve injury. It has been shown that sustained increase neuroinflammation can lead to synaptic plasticity and increased neuronal sensitivity in the pain pathway resulting in a chronic hyperalgesic/allodynic state and promote widespread pain affecting multiple sites throughout the body [3]. Pharmacotherapies aiming to regulate neuroinflammation have been studied [4]. In this commentary, we propose possible pharmacotherapies to regulate neuroinflammation and to treat pain in acute and subacute arachnoiditis.

Given the complexity of neuroinflammation, a multimodal therapy approach for the treatment of arachnoiditis is proposed. In agreement with the case series, corticosteroid should be considered as a top tier treatment [5]. There have been multiple studies that demonstrate its effectiveness in preventing epidural fibrosis and alleviating pain [6-9]. Takeda et al. demonstrated that corticosteroids inhibit prostaglandin and cytokine productions, which are required for glia cell activation [6].

In a spinal nerve ligation model, methylprednisolone prevented and alleviated neuropathic pain. Dexamethasone reduced epidural adhesion via inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 expressions [7]. Similarly, methylprednisolone prevented formation of epidural fibrosis after spinal surgery [8]. In a systematic review and meta-analysis study, intraoperative or perioperative administration of epidural steroid provided significant pain control, reduced hospital stay time, and used of postoperative opioid analgesia[9]. Another potential top tier treatment to consider for arachnoiditis are Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) such as celecoxib [10], diclofenac sodium [11], ibuprofen [12], aceclofenac [13], and meloxicam [14]. These agents inhibit cyclooxygenases/prostaglandin E2 and lipoxygenases, which are critical for pro-inflammatory processes. It is readily available over the counter or via a prescription. In animal models, these agents have been shown to reduce epidural fibrosis. However, its use may be limited by the side effect profiles such as gastroenteritis, renal injury, and bleeding.
Curcumin is a supplement that may be considered alongside with corticosteroids and NSAIDs. It has a different mechanism of action compared to corticosteroids and NSAIDs. It is an anti-inflammatory agent that inhibits nuclear factor kappa β, which is one of the central pathways in pro-inflammatory cytokine production, anti-apoptotic process, and cell survival [15]. In a laminectomy animal model, curcumin treated animals showed significant reduction of epidural fibrosis formation compared to the control group [16].

To alleviate pain, first line neuropathic pain medications such as Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), and gabapentinoids should be considered [17]. Based on mechanism of action, onset, and side effect profiles, gabapentinoids are preferred. Lastly, physical therapy, massage, stretching, psychotherapy, and adaptive equipment may be needed to improve quality of life and manage symptoms.

Conclusion

In summary, multi-modal therapy approaches are needed to prevent epidural fibrosis by modulating inflammation and to treat pain in arachnoiditis. Inflammation may be regulated by corticosteroids, NSAIDS, and/or curcumin. Neuropathic pain may be treated with corticosteroids, NSAIDs, curcumin, TCAs, SNRIs, and/or gabapentinoids. Physical therapy and adaptive equipment can improve quality of life and manage symptoms. Physical, emotional, social, and occupational health may be improved with psychotherapy [18].

References

https://marmarisinvestments.com
https://realestateinmarmaris.com
https://balloonsdocia.com
https://cappadociahotairballoon.org