Rishi K Wadhwa1, Mark R Shaya, Anil Nanda. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, Louisiana State University, Health Sciences Center, Shreveport 71130-3932, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: The use of intrathecal morphine has been effective with few complications for chronic intractable pain of both benign and malignant origins. A rare but serious problem that exists is the formation of an inflammatory mass at the catheter tip of the pain pump. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 67-year-old female patient with failed back syndrome who presented with sensory complaints and back pain. INTERVENTION: Magnetic resonance imaging revealed impingement on the thoracic cord by a mass. The mass was originally thought to be a spinal cord tumor; however, operation and chemical analysis of the mass showed that it was a bupivacaine precipitate at the tip of the catheter of the pain pump. CONCLUSION: This is the first such case, to our knowledge, of a bupivacaine precipitate mimicking a spinal cord tumor.
OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: The use of intrathecal morphine has been effective with few complications for chronic intractable pain of both benign and malignant origins. A rare but serious problem that exists is the formation of an inflammatory mass at the catheter tip of the pain pump. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 67-year-old female patient with failed back syndrome who presented with sensory complaints and back pain. INTERVENTION: Magnetic resonance imaging revealed impingement on the thoracic cord by a mass. The mass was originally thought to be a spinal cord tumor; however, operation and chemical analysis of the mass showed that it was a bupivacaine precipitate at the tip of the catheter of the pain pump. CONCLUSION: This is the first such case, to our knowledge, of a bupivacaine precipitate mimicking a spinal cord tumor.
Authors: Derek G Southwell; Joseph A Osorio; Christopher S Liverman; Lauren M Friedman; Ramana K Naidu; Lawrence R Poree; Melanie M Henry; Line Jacques Journal: Surg Neurol Int Date: 2017-07-25