Day 1: From Theory to Practice – Real Clinical Cases
The conference was opened by Dr. Ovidiu Palea, a senior anesthesiologist specializing in pain therapy and president of ARAI, who emphasized the importance of continuing medical education and interdisciplinary collaboration in pain management.
The first day was dedicated to complex clinical cases:
- low back pain – from symptom to solution;
- pain as a warning signal;
- the use of neurolytic agents in epidural injections;
- T7 nerve root neuroma;
- persistent upper limb pain in oncology patients;
- post-traumatic pelvic pain;
- chronic abdominopelvic pain.
The sessions were led by Dr. Ovidiu Palea, Assistant Professor Dr. Robert Szabo, Dr. Anca Ionescu, Dr. Ionuț Branea, Dr. Cătălin Lulciuc, and Dr. Eugeniu Oleineac.
The Problem-Based Learning (PBL) method gave participants the opportunity to analyze cases and build personalized management plans, based on internationally recognized protocols and methods.
Day 2: Difficult cases and diagnostic challenges
The second day continued in the same interactive format, focusing on complex cases and the integration of multidisciplinary expertise.
Topics addressed included:
- early postoperative MRI evaluation following lumbar endoscopic discectomy;
- Failed Back Surgery Syndrome;
- complications arising during invasive pain treatment;
- atypical craniofacial pain;
- diagnostic block failure and "resistance" to local anesthetics;
- the WALANT technique;
- classification of pain types;
- minimally invasive approach to a vertebral bone metastasis.
The sessions were led by Dr. Daniel Enache, Dr. Alexandru Nițulescu, Dr. Liem Liong, Dr. Emil Istrate, University Lecturer Dr. Mihai Botea, Dr. Alin Pandea, and Dr. Ana-Maria Ghițoiu.
The discussions highlighted the importance of accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment, and interdisciplinary collaboration in pain management.
Day 3: The role of the multidisciplinary approach
The final day of the conference focused on interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of knowledge into clinical practice.
Cases and topics analyzed included:
- chronic pelvic pain;
- residual pain in inflammatory rheumatic diseases;
- complications of common pain management procedures;
- diagnostic pitfalls in gluteal pain;
- persistent hemicorporeal pain.
The sessions were led by Dr. Mădălina Sideri, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Florian Berghea, Dr. Claudia Malancea, Dr. Iulia Szabo, and Dr. Alexandru Marian.
The conference concluded with a wrap-up session, where participants discussed integrating new concepts into medical practice and the role of continuing medical education in pain management.
Medical education, networking, and experience sharing
Beyond the scientific component, the three days provided participants with a setting for networking, sharing experiences, and socializing, in a relaxed atmosphere in Gura Humorului.
The third edition of the "Pain Management – Problem-Based Learning: A Modern and Personalized Approach" conference reaffirmed the value of an educational format based on real clinical cases, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Through these initiatives, ARAI continues to support medical education and the development of modern pain management in Romania.
The event was organized by ARAI – Romanian Society of Interventional Algesiology.
Event management and promotion are provided by Oameni și Companii and MedicalManager.ro.
