Ablation of the brachial plexus. Control of intractable pain, due to a pathological fracture of the humerus.
A case report is presented which illustrates the difficulties in providing control of intractable pain from pathological fractures of the humerus. Relief from large and frequent doses of systemic analgesics was found to be inadequate. Control was achieved using brachial plexus block with bupivacaine combined with absolute alcohol. The decision to partially ablate the plexus is considered to be justified by the improved quality of life which the patient enjoyed.
D001917:Brachial Plexus; D002045:Bupivacaine; D000431:Ethanol; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009407:Nerve Block; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D013727:Terminal Care
D000431:Ethanol; D002045:Bupivacaine