Thalamic Pain Misdiagnosed as Cervical Disc Herniation.
Thalamic pain is a primary cause of central post-stroke pain (CPSP). Clinical symptoms vary depending on the location of the infarction and frequently accompany several pain symptoms. Therefore, correct diagnosis and proper examination are not easy. We report a case of CPSP due to a left acute thalamic infarction with central disc protrusion at C5-6. A 45-year-old-male patient experiencing a tingling sensation in his right arm was referred to our pain clinic under the diagnosis of cervical disc herniation. This patient also complained of right cramp-like abdominal pain. After further evaluations, he was diagnosed with an acute thalamic infarction. Therefore detailed history taking should be performed and examiners should always be aware of other symptoms that could suggest a more dangerous disease.
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Eulji General Hospital, Eulji University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Tae Ha
TH
Lim
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
Soo Il
SI
Choi
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
Jee In
JI
Yoo
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
Young Soon
YS
Choi
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
Young Su
YS
Lim
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
Bo Hyun
BH
Sang
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
Yun Sic
YS
Bang
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, International St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic Kwandong University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
Young Uk
YU
Kim
Central post-stroke pain; Cervical disc herniation; Cramp-like abdominal pain; Differential diagnosis; Thalamic infarction; Thalamic pain