Spinal Pain Pathways Research Articles

Modern Pain Relief: Percutaneous Chordotomy

A new technique for the interruption of spinal-pain pathways has been developed. Percutaneous cervical radiofrequency chordotomy allows easy, efficient, lowrisk relief of pain in an extended range of intractable conditions, both benign and malignant. A group of 100 patients, ranging in age from 30 to 85 years, has undergone a total of 154 percutaneous chordotomies. Almost half had high thoracic, arm, shoulder, or neck pain. Thirty-three with visceral pain required bilateral chordotomies. Initial results indicate complete or satisfactory relief in 92% of the patients. Follow-up examinations show sustained levels of analgesia and continuing effect. Complications include transient bladder dysfunction in seven patients, temporary motor weakness in eight, and permanent paresis in one. All indications suggest replacement of standard laminectomy and surgical section by this method.