Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
Thermal Ablation for the Treatment of Abdominal Tumors
Published on: March 7, 2011
Percutaneous CT-guided cordotomy for the treatment of pediatric cancer pain
Gaddum D Reddy1, Regina Okhuysen-Cawley, Viraat Harsh
1Departments of Neurosurgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
Insights
CT-guided percutaneous cordotomy effectively treated unilateral limb pain in a pediatric patient with metastatic medulloblastoma. This minimally invasive procedure shows promise for managing refractory cancer pain in children.
Area of Science:
- Interventional Radiology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Pain Management
Background:
- Percutaneous cordotomy under CT guidance is established for adult cancer pain relief.
- Limited data exists on its efficacy in pediatric populations.
Observation:
- A 9-year-old boy with metastatic medulloblastoma experienced severe unilateral limb pain.
- CT-guided percutaneous cordotomy was performed to address the refractory pain.
Findings:
- The procedure effectively reduced unilateral limb pain in the pediatric patient.
- CT-guided percutaneous cordotomy demonstrated significant efficacy in this case.
Implications:
- CT-guided percutaneous cordotomy is a viable, minimally invasive option for select pediatric cancer patients.
- Further research may support broader application in pediatric pain management.
Abstract:
Percutaneous cordotomy using CT guidance has been shown to be a safe and effective means of reducing pain in adults with cancer in 2 large case series. Its effectiveness in pediatric patients, however, has not been reported. Here, the authors present a case of CT-guided percutaneous cordotomy being used effectively for the treatment of unilateral limb pain in a 9-year-old boy suffering from metastatic medulloblastoma. The efficacy and minimally invasive nature of this procedure support its use in selected pediatric cases.