Thalamic pain syndrome: anatomic and metabolic correlation.
We report a patient with thalamic pain induced by stereotactic biopsy; therefore, the location of the anatomical lesion causing the syndrome is precisely known. The location of the lesion was confirmed by postoperative magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. The metabolic consequences of the anatomic lesion were documented by positron emission tomography using as marker 18F-fluoro-2desoxy-glucose. The anatomic, metabolic, and clinical findings are discussed, as well as the neurophysiologic theories of the mechanisms of the thalamic pain syndrome.
De Salles
A A
AA
Division of Neurosurgery, University of California, Los Angeles.
Bittar
G T
GT
D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010148:Intractable Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013003:Somatosensory Cortex / Q000378:metabolism; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D013577:Syndrome; D013788:Thalamus / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000378:metabolism*