Cite as: Machi A. Editor’s corner: a bogeyman. ASRA Pain Medicine News 2026;51. https://doi.org/10.52211/asra020126.002.

Editor’s Corner

A bogeyman is a mythical figure that personifies fear or danger. It represents whatever a culture wants an individual or group to avoid. In our world, there are the bogeymen of regional anesthesia, acute pain medicine, and chronic pain medicine. I suggest the following: in regional anesthesia, it is peripheral nerve injury; in acute pain medicine, it is epidural hematoma; and in chronic pain medicine, it is an implant-related infection. Of course, many other complications are important and impactful. Yet these are the ones that are rare enough, devastating enough, and perplexing enough to linger in the back of the regionalist’s or pain physician’s mind—quiet reminders of what is at stake. We continuously ask what more can be done to prevent them. And when they do occur, diagnosis and management can be challenging, the path forward uncertain.

It is in this context that May and colleagues offer their thoughtful and insightful article, “Iatrogenic Nerve Injury: Can We Do Better For Our Patients?” Articles like this challenge us to critically examine our practices and engage as a community committed to improvement—to show appropriate respect for the “bogeyman,” while also recognizing the tools, knowledge, and resources we have to manage it when we must face it. This is precisely what ASRA Pain Medicine News aims to provide: a space for informed dialogue that helps guide us and inspires better patient care.

To that end, this edition delivers throughout. Next, Drs. Herrera, Hunt, and Provenzano tackle a highly practical question in ASRA Answers, “Premedication Before Interventional Spine Procedures in Patients with Iodinated Contrast Allergy—Is It Necessary?” Their discussion is well worth a careful read and may directly influence your practice. Then, Dr. Alwin Chuan presents Part II of his series on generative artificial intelligence, outlining how to build a personalized generative AI assistant using three examples, ranging from simple, limited tools to more advanced, powerful approaches. In the age of AI, this is an opportunity not just to consume technology but to create with it. Following this, Dr. Meredith Barad provides an excellent review of CGRP-targeting treatments. These medications have transformed migraine management; yet their growing number and nuanced differences can make selection challenging. This concise review offers practical guidance to support clinical decision-making.

From there, the issue transitions to its core features:

• Pro-Con: Mixing Local Anesthetics: Best of Both Worlds or Playing With Fire?
• Xylazine, Nitazenes, and the Changing Street Drug Landscape: What Pain Physicians Should Know
• How I Do It: Caudal Block
• Understanding Neuroplastic Pain: Clinical Implications for Diagnosis and Treatment
• POCUS Spotlight: Point-of-Care Ultrasound for the Obstetric Anesthesiologist

The issue then concludes with special pieces addressing artificial intelligence in medical education and a practice management advisory regarding advanced beneficiary notices. As always, the literature review highlights notable studies to help inform your practice.

Finally, a warm thank you to the readers, authors, newsletter team members, editors, ASRA Pain Medicine staff, and all volunteers who make each edition possible. Your contributions fuel our shared mission to advance knowledge and care in regional anesthesia and pain medicine. I welcome your feedback and ideas at asraeditor@asra.com.