Case report: limbic system activation by intravenous lidocaine in a patient with a complex regional pain syndrome and major depression.

Intravenous lidocaine is used to treat various neuropathic pain states. Systemic local anesthetics have been reported to cause behavioral alteration via limbic system activation. This case report describes a dramatic behavioral change in a patient receiving intravenous lidocaine and suggests a possible use of lidocaine to discriminate somatic and affective pain characteristics.