Korean J Anesthesiol.  2005 Oct;49(4):590-593. 10.4097/kjae.2005.49.4.590.

Pulsed Radiofrequency Lesioning of the Medial Branch in a Patient with Cervical Pain Caused by a Metastatic Tumor: A case report

• Lee JH
• Ha SH
• Kim HT
• Park SC
• Kwon YE

• KMID: 1936871
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2005.49.4.590

Abstract

Metastatic spinal tumor may cause pain by direct tumor involvement of bone with activation of local nociceptors or compression of adjacent structures. As an adjunct to pharmacologic therapy, many patients benefit from the use of additional nerve blocks to treat cancer pain. However, they require repeated injections as nerve block under local anesthetic sometimes only give the patient temporary relief of pain. Recently, the advent of pulsed radiofrequency application has proved a successful treatment for refractory pain disorders. A 43 year-old man was presented with a constant, dull, aching pain in the posterior neck with radicular pain referred to right shoulder due to metastatic cervical spinal tumor. Right C5 and C6 medial branch nerve blocks, with local anesthetic-steroid injections were effective, but short pain relief for a couple of days. However, the pain relief lasted longer and was effective with pulsed radiofrequency application over 3 months.

Keyword

medial branch; metastatic spinal tumor; pulsed radiofrequency

MeSH Terms

Adult
Humans
Neck
Neck Pain*
Nerve Block
Nociceptors
Pain, Intractable
Shoulder