Central pain syndrome
| Central pain syndrome | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-9 | 338.0 |
Central pain syndrome is a neurological condition caused by damage or malfunction in the Central Nervous System (CNS) which causes a sensitization of the pain system. The extent of pain and the areas affected are related to the cause of the injury, which can include trauma, tumors, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or epilepsy . Pain can either be relegated to a specific part of the body or affect the body as a whole.
Contents |
[edit] Symptoms
Pain is typically constant, may be moderate to severe in intensity, and is often made worse by touch, movement, emotions, and temperature changes, usually cold temperatures. Burning pain is the most common sensation, but patients also report pins and needles, pressing, lacerating, aching, and extreme bursts of sharp pain. Individuals may have reduced sensitivity to touch in the areas affected by the pain. The burning and loss of touch are usually most severe on the distant parts of the body, such as the feet or hands. [1]
[edit] Treatment
Treatment includes pharmacological interventions (amitriptyline, mexiletine, lamotrigine) followed by neuromodulation (cortical stimulation, intrathecal drugs such as midazolam and clonidine). Opioids are scarcely effective for CPS and should be reserved to highly selected cases. Ziconotide is sometimes effective but patients should find experienced physicians for treatment.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Bowsher, David (1996), "Central pain: clinical and physiological characteristics", Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 61 (1): 62–69, doi:10.1136/jnnp.61.1.62, http://jnnp.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/61/1/62 FREE full text. Requires 2 minute registration with BMJ.
Canavero S, Bonicalzi V. Central pain syndrome. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007 (1st ed)
[edit] External links
- WebMD - A concise 4 paragraph description of the condition.
- USA National Institute of Neurological disorders and Stroke - Authoritative 4 paragraphs on central pain..
[edit] Further reading
Canavero S, & Bonicalzi V (2007) Central pain syndrome. New York: Cambridge university press (1st ed) ISBN 0521866928 (2011) new edition
