Treatment of pain crisis at end of life from severe lower extremity venous outflow obstruction with hyperalgesia and allodynia

Abstract

Pain crisis in metastatic disease can be a therapeutic dilemma when differing mechanisms contribute to severe hyperalgesia and neuropathic pain. We discuss clinical presentation and management of excruciating pain from severe lower limb venous outflow obstruction in an opioid tolerant, terminally ill patient with locally invasive and metastatic adenocarcinoma of the cervix. This case illustrates how pain crises at end of life can be successfully managed by using a rational, complementary, multimodal approach. Key points include possible mechanisms of pain from venous outflow obstruction, benefit of hyperbaric subarachnoid bupivacaine, opioid rotation to methadone, and use of ketamine by mouth. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.