title: Dorsal rhizotomy for treatment of bilateral intercostal neuralgia following augmentation mammaplasty: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Intercostal neuralgia may develop following breast augmentation. The authors describe a woman who suffered 2 years of severe pain associated with cutaneous hypaesthesia in a T3-T5 distribution. Serial, placebo-controlled T3-T5 dorsal root nerve blocks provided temporary pain relief. The patient experienced immediate and lasting pain relief (34 months) following bilateral T3-T5 dorsal rhizotomies. This case provides anecdotal evidence that dorsal rhizotomy is a beneficial intervention for refractory intercostal neuralgia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA. mdorsi@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Dorsi
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lambrinos
authors.forename: A Lee
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Dellon
authors.forename: Allan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Belzberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000601:surgery; D015171:Ganglionectomy; D006801:Humans; D007367:Intercostal Nerves; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D019051:Rhizotomy / Q000379:methods*