Stereotactic High Cervical Extralemniscal Myelotomy for Pelvic Cancer Pain

Abstract

Midline and/or bilateral pelvic pain of neoplastic origin is difficult to deal with. However, stereotactic extralemniscal mylelotomy seems to be a rational approach, devoid of untoward side effects. The author has already suggested that this is not a segmental commisural procedure but rather the interruption of an ascending nonspecific multi synaptic pathway. Seventy-nine cases with midline and/or bilateral pelvic pain related to cancer, out of a series of 116 consecutive myelotomies, are reported. Satisfactory results were achieved in 78% of the cases overall. Physiological data germane to accurate lesion placement are discussed.