Day 1: From theory to practice – exploring pain through real cases
The event was opened by Dr. Ovidiu Palea, a primary care physician in intensive care, specialist in Pain Therapy, and president of ARAI, who emphasized the importance of continuous medical education and an interdisciplinary approach to pain management.
The first day was dedicated to the analysis of relevant clinical cases:
- hip-spine case and abdominal pain case;
- non-specific pain with imaging correlation;
- neuropathic pain of the upper limb and facial pain syndrome;
- pudendal pain;
- chronic pain post-pulmonary lobectomy.
The sessions were led by Dr. Ovidiu Palea, Dr. Anca Ionescu, Dr. Liem Liong, Dr. Ana-Maria Ghițoiu, and Dr. Cătălin Lulciuc.
Using the Problem-Based Learning (PBL)method, participants analyzed the cases and discussed personalized management options, based on internationally used protocols and methods.
Day 2: Difficult clinical cases and personalized therapeutic solutions
The second day continued in the same interactive format, with an emphasis on complex cases and the integration of expertise from multiple specialties.
Topics covered included:
- lower back pain;
- upper limb pain in oncology patients;
- differential diagnosis of atypical low back pain;
- failed back surgery syndrome;
- brachial plexus cryoablation for invasive breast cancer;
- chronic pain following abdominal wall reconstruction surgery;
- lower back pain in the elderly;
- the 5-in-1 infiltration technique for non-specific upper back pain.
The sessions were led by Dr. Raluca Nicoleta Dochiu, Dr. Alexandru Nițulescu, Dr. Stelian Mociu, and Dr. Alin Pandea.
The discussions gave participants the opportunity to compare various therapeutic options and highlighted the importance of individualized treatment in pain management.
Day 3: The importance of a multidisciplinary approach
The final day of the conference consolidated the information discussed previously and emphasized interdisciplinary collaboration in the assessment and treatment of pain.
Cases analyzed included:
- trigeminal neuralgia and cervicogenic headache;
- ketamine infusion for chronic pain;
- thalamic pain in patients with glioblastoma;
- intermittent claudication;
- imaging correlation in pain therapy;
- pelvic hypersensitization versus pudendal neuralgia;
- primary versus secondary fibromyalgia.
The sessions were led by Dr. Sofia Nistor, Dr. Claudia Malancea, Lecturer Mihai Octavian Botea, MD, PhD, Dr. Ionuț Branea, Dr. Emil Istrate, and Dr. Monica Papaianu.
The conference concluded with a wrap-up session, where participants discussed integrating new concepts into clinical practice and the importance of continuing medical education.
Medical education and experience exchange
Beyond the scientific component, the event provided a setting for networking and professional experience exchange, in a relaxed atmosphere amidst the landscapes of Colibița.
The second edition of the "Pain Management – Problem-Based Learning: A Modern and Personalized Approach" conference reaffirmed the role of interactive medical education and interdisciplinary collaboration in the development of modern pain management.
The event was organized by ARAI – The Romanian Association for Interventional Algesiology, in partnership with NORD NEXT and under the aegis of the Faculty of Medicine at Titu Maiorescu University.
Next ARAI event
The ARAI educational event series continued with The hands-on Interventional Pain Management workshop, held from October 31 – November 1, 2025, at NORD Hospital Pipera, featuring practical ultrasound scanning sessions and fluoroscopy-guided procedures.
