Chronic Illness Questions Related

Review Chronic Illness Questions related questions and content

In the UK, percutaneous cervical cordotomy is likely to be:

  • A. Indicated in patients with unilateral pain due to cancer.
  • B. Indicated in patients with non-malignant pain.
  • C. Effective for neck pain.
  • D. Deferred until less invasive techniques have been shown to be unsuccessful.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Percutaneous cervical cordotomy (PCC) targets intractable pain in the UK. It's primarily indicated for unilateral cancer pain (e.g., mesothelioma), ablating the contralateral spinothalamic tract for relief below the lesion level. Non-malignant pain rarely justifies PCC due to its invasiveness and risks; alternatives like opioids suffice. Neck pain, above the typical C1-C2 entry, isn't effectively treated by PCC, which addresses lower body pain. CT guidance is common, not just fluoroscopy, for precision. It's a last resort after failed conservative treatments (e.g., nerve blocks), but the cancer-specific indication is primary unilateral pain's anatomical fit with PCC's mechanism (thermoablation) makes it a specialized palliative tool, balancing efficacy with procedural risk.