Multidisciplinary Approaches: Cingulotomy in an Adult With Refractory Neuropathic Cancer-Related Pain

Oral medications, intravenous medications, and invasive interventions are effective means of neuropathic pain control. In patients with pain refractory to more conventional approaches, cingulum bundle ablation is an alternative treatment modality not routinely considered by providers. A 42-year-old woman with history of cervical cancer in remission presented with intractable left lower extremity pain. Workup revealed radiation-induced left iliopsoas osteosarcoma complicated by deep venous occlusion and thrombosis. Her pain remained intractable to pharmacologic therapies and more invasive pain control interventions. A multidisciplinary decision was made to pursue bilateral subcortical cingulum bundle radiofrequency ablation. After a technically successful surgery, the patient exhibited improved pain control as evidenced by a decline in her numerical rating scale of pain and analgesic medication requirements. Cancer-related neuropathic pain often requires treatment with multiple modalities involving multidisciplinary teams. In select refractory cases, cingulum bundle ablation may be an effective alternative treatment modality.