Electroconvulsive therapy for neuropathic pain: a case report and literature review

To describe a case of intractable brachial plexopathy-induced neuropathic pain syndrome treated with electroconvulsive therapy after a failed trial of conventional drugs and interventional pain management.

A 32-year-old male had chronic intractable neuropathic pain of the right upper extremity and shoulder for about 10 years, due to brachial plexopathy. He tried multiple pain medications and underwent various interventional pain procedures without significant pain relief. When the patient subsequently developed severe depression with suicidal ideation, he underwent electroconvulsive therapy, which significantly improved the depression and pain for two months.

There is a growing list of non-psychiatric conditions that may be treated with electroconvulsive therapy. Chronic intractable pain with or without depression has been on and off the list for years. Further studies may eventually demonstrate efficacy of ECT for intractable neuropathic pain syndromes.