Affiliation:
1. Division of Algology, Anesthesiology and Reanimation Department, Faculty of Medicine Akdeniz University Antalya Turkey
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundSevere and treatment‐resistant pain is a major issue for patients with cancer. Cordotomy is an effective approach for addressing severe cancer‐related pain. It is based on blocking the transmission of pain by damaging the lateral spinothalamic tract.MethodsComputed tomography guided cordotomy was performed on 14 patients who did not respond to medical and interventional pain management methods.ResultsFourteen patients with cancer pain underwent CT‐guided percutaneous cordotomy. Pain relief was reported in 86% of the patients. The visual analog scale values before and after cordotomy were compared and a significant difference was found (p = 0.0001). The improvement in the Karnofsky Performance Scale score of the patients was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.0001).ConclusionWe believe that CT‐guided cordotomy, performed by experienced hands in a team of experienced individuals and applied to the right patients, is an effective treatment. However, it is crucial to exercise extreme caution regarding potential side effects and serious complications during the cordotomy procedure.
Subject
Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine