Neuroadenolysis of the pituitary:Description of a modified technique

Abstract

Abstract Neuroadenoylysis of the pituitary (NALP) has been found to be an effective technique in relieving pain of malignant origin. This paper describes a modified technique using a single small needle through a needle. This modified technique was used on 15 consecutive patients with intractable diffuse painof malignant origin whose pain was not controlled by conventional treatment modalities. Nine of 15 patients (60%) experienced excellent pain relief, defined as the need for no narcotic analgesics to control their pain. Five of 15 patients (33%) reported good pain relief, defined as complete pain control with adjunctive oral narcotic analgesics given on an around-the-clock basis. One patient (7%) had poor relief of pain, defined as incomplete pain control despite use of narcotic analgesics. No permanent complications were observed. It appears that this modified approach to NALP provides a safe effective means of relievingpain of malignant origin with a decreased incidence of side effects.