Nokea
In the year 2012, appropriate statements regarding complications of percutaneous cervical cordotomy in the UK include:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In 2012, UK percutaneous cervical cordotomy (PCC) complication data were limited, not pooled nationally case series or institutional reports dominated. PCC's minimally invasive nature yields fewer complications (e.g., no wound infections) than open cordotomy's extensive approach. Major complications like death or paralysis are rare (<1%), below 1-in-1000 estimates, due to precise imaging and technique. Persistent postural hypotension is uncommon, linked to rare sympathetic disruption (e.g., Horner's syndrome), resolving typically. Headaches occur but aren't persistent. The low incidence of sustained hypotension reflects PCC's targeted spinothalamic focus, sparing autonomic pathways, making it a safer palliative option versus historical benchmarks.