Open AccessIntrinsic Spinal Cord Catheter Placement: Implications of New Intractable Pain in a Patient with a Spinal Cord Injury
Author(s) -
Marc A. Huntoon,
Mark Friedrich B. Hurdle,
Roger R. Marsh,
Ronald K. Reeves
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
anesthesia and analgesia/anesthesia and analgesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.404
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1526-7598
pISSN - 0003-2999
DOI - 10.1213/01.ane.0000136421.69976.ae
Subject(s) - medicine , intractable pain , anesthesia , spinal cord , magnetic resonance imaging , spinal cord injury , surgery , catheter , radiology , psychiatry
We present a case of new intractable flank pain after intrathecal infusion system placement in a 45-yr-old man with a history of a T12 spinal cord injury with dysesthetic leg pain. Pain after intrathecal infusion system placement was evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging and the catheter was found to be intraparenchymal. The patient was treated by cessation of infusion and surgical removal of the system. Before surgical removal, the pump was turned off and the patient's flank pain resolved. Increased vigilance is warranted when caring for paraplegic patients. When new pain persists, intrathecal medication tapering should be considered.